22: Chapter 24. Nuthanger Farm 

 

22.2 Nuthanger Farm 

 

This farm, which is a real farm, still with that name, lying just north of the foot of WD, is the setting of the main interactions between rabbits and humans in the book. Those interactions span the whole range of the relationship between our species and wild animals such as rabbits, from brutality to compassion. It is also the site of the main interactions between rabbits and the Elil who live with humans, namely cats and dogs. And, of course, it is, because of this, the source of the salvation of the rabbits of WD from the main peril they face from other rabbits during the climax of the story. 

 

For those of you wanting to know the exact road Nuthanger Farm lies on, it is the one between Sydmonton and Kingsclere in Hampshire. Its name as it passes WD and Nuthanger Farm, seems to be 'Sydmonton Road'. Nuthanger Farm lies up the lane that heads north from this road to the north of WD. 

 

22.3 Chapter 24. Nuthanger Farm 

 

The opening quotation, which seems to be in late Middle English, is a reference to Robin Hood visiting Nottingham in secret, where he is recognised by a monk. 

 

As this chapter opens Hazel feels the need for adventure. He seems to be feeling the need to prove himself to all the former Owsla members, and in particular the two, Holly and Silver, who are on the expedition. 

 

This is uncharacteristic of Hazel and rather disappointing I think. His humility has been a hallmark of the strength of his leadership and here that fails, as he lapses into individualism. 

 

His idea is initially to go to the farm where Kehaar saw the rabbits being kept in a box and to just scout it out. He decides not to go alone but to take one other rabbit. A rabbit who will do as he is told: Pipkin. The most vulnerable rabbit in the group. 

 

They make their way down the scarp slope of the Down. Hazel feels supremely confident. He asks a rat for directions to the farm. The sky is growing lighter. They make their way along a lane heading north from the road, to the top of the low rise the farm stands upon. 

 

Hazel takes in the smells as they reach the farm. among these are a lot of cat, less dog and definitely rabbit. They can see a dog kennel with a large black dog inside, tied up with a rope. They make their way through the farmyard, becoming more confident as there is no sign of a cat, and following the rabbit smell to a shed in which they find a rabbit-hutch. 

 

Hazel tells Pipkin to guard their only exit then speaks with the rabbits in the hutch. There are four of them, both bucks and does. The buck he speaks to is called Boxwood. He and his doe, Haystack, are black and white Himalayan rabbits. The other two, the buck Laurel and doe Clover, are short-haired black Angoras. Hazel tells them that he wants them to join his warren and takes some time describing life in the wild. The doe Clover is particularly interested and asks several questions. But her speech, again, is just reported, not quoted. A doe has still not spoken directly in the book. 

 

The hutch rabbits have heard bad things about living in the wild and are going to take some persuasion. Hazel decides to leave, but promises to return. 

 

Just then Pipkin says that a cat has appeared outside in the yard. Hazel reassures Pipkin and tells him to follow before leaving the shed in plain view of the cat. He tells Pipkin not to run until the cat starts to attack then deliberately provokes it to do just that with insults. The cat pounces and they manage to outrun it back to the lane. Hazel says a rabbit can outrun a cat, but only if the cat attacks first.  

Their adventure over, Pipkin asks what all this has been about and Hazel promises to tell him later on. They make their way back to WD slowly. 22.4 Next Episode 

 

Thank you to John Ruths for his notes on this chapter, which were useful as always. 

 

Next time, the rabbits of WD raid Nuthanger Farm, with horrific consequences. And the expedition returns empty handed.