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A magical scarecrow from Oz. The Scarecrow is one of Dorothy’s companions on her quest, and he is loyal to Dorothy and helps her while working toward his own goal of getting a brain. Cheerful and easy-going, the Scarecrow has more intelligence than he realizes. He eventually becomes ruler of the Emerald City when the Wizard leaves in his balloon.
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The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, children’s book written by L. Frank Baum and first published in 1900. A modern fairy tale with a distinctly American setting, a delightfully levelheaded and assertive heroine, and engaging fantasy characters, the story was enormously popular and became a classic of children’s literature. However, by the late 20th century...
Dorothy is a young girl who lives in a one-room house in Kansas with the care-worn Uncle Henry and Aunt Em; the joy of her life is her dog, Toto. A sudden cyclone strikes, and, by the time Dorothy catches Toto, she is unable to reach the storm cellar. They are still in the house when the cyclone carries it away for a long journey. When at last the house lands, Dorothy finds that she is in a beautiful land inhabited by very short, strangely dressed people. The Witch of the North informs her that she is in the land of the Munchkins, who are grateful to her for having killed the Wicked Witch of the East (the house having landed on the witch), thus freeing them. The Witch of the North gives Dorothy the silver shoes of the dead witch and advises her to go to the City of Emeralds to see the Great Wizard Oz, who might help her return to Kansas. The witch sends Dorothy off along the yellow brick road with a magical kiss to protect her from harm.
On the long journey to the Emerald City, Dorothy and Toto are joined by the Scarecrow, who wishes he had brains; the Tin Woodman, who longs for a heart; and the Cowardly Lion, who seeks courage. They face many trials along their route, but they overcome them all, often because of the Scarecrow’s good sense, the Tin Woodman’s kindness, and the bravery of the Cowardly Lion. At last they reach the Emerald City, where the Guardian of the Gates outfits them with green-lensed glasses and leads them to the Palace of Oz. Oz tells them that no favours will be granted until the Wicked Witch of the West has been killed.
The companions head to the land of the Winkies, ruled by the Wicked Witch of the West. The witch sends wolves, crows, bees, and armed Winkies to stop them, all to no avail. So she uses her Golden Cap to summon the Winged Monkeys. The Winged Monkeys destroy the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman and cage the Cowardly Lion, but they bring Dorothy and Toto to the witch, who enslaves Dorothy. The witch wants Dorothy’s shoes, which she knows carry powerful magic. She contrives to make Dorothy trip and fall, so she can grab one of the shoes. An angered Dorothy throws a bucket of water at the witch, who then melts away to nothing. Dorothy frees the Cowardly Lion and engages the help of the now free Winkies in repairing and rebuilding the Tin Woodman and the Scarecrow, and the friends return to Oz.
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Oz does not summon them for several days, and, when he does admit them into his presence, he seems reluctant to grant their wishes. Toto knocks over a screen, revealing that Oz is only a common man. However, he fills the Scarecrow’s head with bran and pins and needles, saying that they are brains; he puts a silk-and-sawdust heart into the Tin Woodman; and he gives the Cowardly Lion a drink that he says is courage. He and Dorothy make a balloon to carry them out of the Land of Oz, but the balloon flies away before Dorothy can board; Oz leaves the Scarecrow in charge of the Emerald City.
- Dorothy. Dorothy is a young girl from Kansas and the novel’s protagonist. She lives with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, who are surprised that Dorothy can live so cheerfully on the gray Kansas prairies… read analysis of Dorothy.
- The Scarecrow. The Scarecrow is the first travelling companion Dorothy meets on her way to the Emerald City. When Dorothy explains her intention to see the Wizard of Oz in the hopes that he can return her… read analysis of The Scarecrow.
- The Tin Woodman. The Tin Woodman is the second companion Dorothy encounters on her way to the Emerald City. Upon hearing about Dorothy’s and the Scarecrow’s plan to see the Wizard of Oz and have their wishes… read analysis of The Tin Woodman.
- The Cowardly Lion. The Cowardly Lion is the third and final new companion Dorothy meets on her way to the Emerald City. While the Lion appears frightening and ferocious at first, it soon becomes clear that he believes… read analysis of The Cowardly Lion.
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- The Wicked Witch of the East. Dorothy never meets the Wicked Witch of the East, as she dies upon Dorothy’s arrival to the Land of Oz, crushed beneath her house.
- The Good Witch of the North. The Good Witch of the North greets Dorothy upon her arrival and suggests Dorothy travels to visit the Wizard of Oz, who might help her find her way back to Kansas.
- The Wicked Witch of the West. After escaping various plots designed to kill them, Dorothy and her friends face a formidable foe in The Wicked Witch of the West.
- Glinda, the Good Witch of the South. When Oz leaves Dorothy behind, she travels to Glinda for assistance. Not only does Glinda provide instructions for Dorothy’s return to Kansas, but she also plans to free the Winged Monkeys from their bondage to the whims of whoever possesses the Golden Cap.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz study guide contains a biography of L. Frank Baum, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.
Some of the major characters from Baum's first book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) from left to right; Tin Woodman, Toto, Dorothy Gale, Cowardly Lion, and Scarecrow. This is a list of characters in the original Oz books by American author L. Frank Baum. The majority of characters listed here unless noted otherwise have appeared in multiple ...
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz at Wikisource. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a 1900 children's novel written by author L. Frank Baum and illustrated by W. W. Denslow. [1] It is the first novel in the Oz series of books. A Kansas farm girl named Dorothy ends up in the magical Land of Oz after she and her pet dog Toto are swept away from their home by ...
