Life of Leisure

A theme that is repeatedly mentioned in the narration of the novel, although not as much by the characters themselves, is that the animals within this magical society prioritize their life of enjoyment and leisure. Indeed, none of the main characters in the book have an identifiable job, with the exception of Beryl, who works independently as a mystery novelist. While there are a number of more conventional businesses in Town -- such as a dentist's office and a motorcycle dealership -- there appears to be no formal economy in more rural areas, like River Bank.

The priority of this theme is emphasized by the first extended scene of the novel, wherein Water Rat, Mole, and Badger basically just hang out for an entire afternoon and evening. The narration describes this, humorously, as a "productive day" of "fish-catching, luncheon-eating, pipe-smoking, and nap-taking" (3). This inherent...