Mr Toad

Age and build

Short and stout figure

“the rower—a short, stout figure—splashing badly and rolling a good deal” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 1)

Can swell to twice his ordinary size when excited

“swollen to twice his ordinary size, leaping into the air and emitting Toad-whoops” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 12)

Face and hair

Comparatively good-looking when not in motor-car clothes

“transform him from a (comparatively) good-looking Toad into an Object which throws any decent-minded animal that comes across it into a violent fit” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 6)

Eyes that can show a twinkle despite sorrow

“He was looking very hard at Toad as he said this, and could not help thinking he perceived something vaguely resembling a twinkle in that animal’s still sorrowful eye” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 6)

Dress

Wears brand-new clothes and fashionable attire

“In his brand-new wager-boat; new togs, new everything” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 1)

Wears singularly hideous motor-car habiliments

“those singularly hideous habiliments so dear to him, which transform him from a (comparatively) good-looking Toad into an Object” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 6)

Dresses as a washerwoman in cotton print dress and bonnet

“The washerwoman’s squat figure in its familiar cotton print seemed a passport for every barred door and grim gateway” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 8)

Voice and speech

Boisterous and loud in speech

“Finest house on the whole river,” cried Toad boisterously” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 2)

Talks excessively and cannot keep secrets

“You talk too much, that’s your chief fault, and I’m trying to think, and you hurt my head” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 8)

Speaks in dreamy monotone when entranced

“And to think I never knew!” went on the Toad in a dreamy monotone” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 2)

Signature words

Poop-poop

“at intervals he faintly murmured “Poop-poop” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 2)

O my

“O bliss! O poop-poop! O my! O my” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 2)

Ho ho

“Ho, ho!” he said to himself as he marched along with his chin in the air” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 10)

Dear Ratty or dear old Badger

“Now, you dear good old Ratty,” said Toad, imploringly” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 2)

Toady as a nickname used by others

“Let’s sit quiet a bit, Toady!” said the Rat” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 2)

Gait and mannerisms

Struts and expands himself with pride

“There you are!” cried the Toad, straddling and expanding himself” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 2)

Sits in a trance when mesmerised by motor-cars

“They found him in a sort of a trance, a happy smile on his face, his eyes still fixed on the dusty wake of their destroyer” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 2)

Fidgets and cannot sit still when anxious

“The Toad fidgeted a good deal, but the Rat held him firmly down” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 11)

Strengths

Resourceful and clever at escaping difficult situations

“I walk out through them all, by sheer ability coupled with courage. They pursue me with engines, and policemen, and revolvers; I snap my fingers at them, and vanish, laughing, into space” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 10)

Good-hearted and able to admit when wrong

“it was a very comforting point in Toad’s character that he was a thoroughly good-hearted animal and never minded being jawed by those who were his real friends” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 11)

Capable of seeing the other side of a question

“And even when most set upon a thing, he was always able to see the other side of the question” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 11)

Excellent at improvisation and quick thinking

“dwelling chiefly on his own cleverness, and presence of mind in emergencies, and cunning in tight places” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 11)

Flaws

Boastful and conceited

“it may be that he is both boastful and conceited” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 2)

Hopelessly bad driver and regardless of law

“he’s a hopelessly bad driver, and quite regardless of law and order” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 4)

Cannot resist motor-cars despite knowing better

“the very first motor-car I see, poop-poop! off I go in it” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 6)

Prone to jealousy of others' accomplishments

“The Toad was simply wild with jealousy, more especially as he couldn’t make out for the life of him what the Mole had done that was so particularly clever” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 11)

Easily swayed and cannot keep promises

“I’d have said anything in there. You’re so eloquent, dear Badger, and so moving, and so convincing, and put all your points so frightfully well—you can do what you like with me in there, and you know it” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 6)

Traits

Always good-tempered and glad to see friends

“Always good-tempered, always glad to see you, always sorry when you go” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 2)

Simple and affectionate in nature

“So simple, so good-natured, and so affectionate” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 2)

Restless and always seeking new fads and interests

“His fads never do” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 2)

Capable of genuine humility and self-reflection

“Honest Toad was always ready to admit himself in the wrong” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 8)

Lines in their own words

On discovering motor-cars

“The poetry of motion! The real way to travel! The only way to travel! Here to-day—in next week to-morrow” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 2)

Admitting his faults

“Quite right, Ratty! How sound you always are! Yes, I’ve been a conceited old ass, I can quite see that” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 11)

Expressing humility at the banquet

“Badger’s was the mastermind; the Mole and the Water Rat bore the brunt of the fighting; I merely served in the ranks and did little or nothing” (The Wind In The Willows, chapter 12)