Characters
Dorothy
Dorothy is the protagonist of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; throughout the novel, she defeats evil and perseveres against continual obstacles in her effort to return home. After her home in Kansas is swept away by a cyclone, separating Dorothy from her family, she finds herself stranded in a strange and magical land. Her house landed on the Wicked Witch of the East, killing the wicked woman. The Wicked Witch left behind a pair of silver shoes with magical properties, which have the power to return her to Kansas. However, Dorothy is clueless about the power of the witch’s shoes, so she spends much of the novel reliant on her abilities and intuition to find her way home.
Along the way, she meets the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Lion, who become her trusted companions on her journey to the Emerald City. There, they hope Oz—purportedly a great wizard—will grant them their greatest desires. Unfortunately, Dorothy learns Oz is not a wizard at all and is incapable of helping her return to Kansas. As such, she once again learns to rely on her courage and resolve to overcome the difficulties she faces.
Dorothy remains virtuous throughout her trials, killing both evil witches quite by accident yet ultimately triumphing over their cruelty. In doing so, she liberates those enslaved by the evil witches. When she leaves the Land of Oz, it is a far different place, ruled only by kind and compassionate leaders. Consequently, the Land of Oz is better because of Dorothy’s unforeseen and unplanned journey to an unknown world.
The Scarecrow
When Dorothy meets the Scarecrow, he is disheartened by his inability to perform his most basic function: scare away the crows who feast in his cornfield. An old crow informs the Scarecrow that any sensible crow can tell that he is simply stuffed with straw and unable to harm them; moreover, if he had brains, he would be as good as any normal man.
The crow’s words haunt the Scarecrow and make him determined to obtain brains for himself, convinced that this will improve his station in life. He journeys with Dorothy to meet Oz in hopes that the famous wizard will help him. When Oz leaves Emerald City, he announces that the Scarecrow is their new ruler; the citizens readily accept the Scarecrow and are proud to call him their leader.
The Tin Woodman
Dorothy initially encounters the Tin Woodman in the woods; because he is made of tin, his joints are susceptible to rust. When Dorothy first meets him, he is rusted in place and has been stuck in the same position for over a year. After Dorothy oils his joints, the Tin Woodman can move freely and decides to join the other travelers to find Oz; he hopes that the wizard will be able to give him a heart.
At one time, the Tin Woodman was made of flesh, but after the Wicked Witch enchanted his ax, his body parts were slowly replaced with tin until he was entirely constructed of metal. Of all the body parts he once had, the Tin Woodman misses his heart the most, convinced that he cannot love without it. He proves to be a skilled traveling companion and constructs various objects to aid the group in the obstacles they face. In the end, he chooses to return to the Winkies in the Country of the West—formerly ruled by the Wicked Witch—and become their ruler.
The Lion
The Lion is the final traveling companion to join the group. He travels with them to visit Oz in hopes of...
(This entire section contains 1403 words.)
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gaining courage; he explains that his roar is enough to frighten the other animals of the forest, especially since everyone expects him to be the King of Beasts. However, whenever he faces danger, his heart begins beating very fast, and he attributes these feelings to cowardice. Before Oz gives him “courage,” the Lion proves his bravery when he faces the Kalidahs and again when he protects his friends from the Winkies, who pursue them at the Wicked Witch of the West’s behest. When Dorothy leaves Oz, the Lion plans to return to the forest and rule over the other animals.
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 Munchkins are elated by the Wicked Witch’s death because it has ended their bondage to her. Her body quickly disintegrates, leaving only her magical silver shoes behind. Dorothy wears them throughout her journey across the Land of Oz and only learns at the novel’s end that the shoes have the power to take her home.
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. She explains that Oz is a “good Wizard” and kisses Dorothy on the forehead, thereby preventing anyone from harming her throughout her journey.
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. The Tin Woodman is badly damaged and abandoned, the Scarecrow is torn apart, and the Lion is enslaved. The Wicked Witch knows she cannot harm Dorothy after seeing the mark of the Good Witch of the North on Dorothy’s forehead, so she forces Dorothy to work for her instead. When the Wicked Witch tries to steal Dorothy’s silver shoes, Dorothy angrily throws water on her. Unexpectedly, the Witch melts into nothing, freeing Dorothy, the Lion, and the Winkies from their servitude.
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. Indeed, she lives up to her title, treating Dorothy and her friends with kindness and empathy.
Oz
Oz’s reputation permeates the land; all the denizens of the Land of Oz believe him to be an incredible wizard. However, when Dorothy and her friends demand he delivers his promises, they learn that he is an ordinary old man from Omaha, Nebraska, with no special powers to his name. Oz has lived in fear his secret will be discovered, so he has spent many years secluded in his palace and refusing to meet with anyone. When Dorothy demands his help, he agrees and constructs a balloon upon which they might both return home. Although Dorothy is supposed to travel with him, the balloon rises before she and Toto can climb inside. Oz disappears and is never heard from again.
The Winged Monkeys
Enslaved many years ago by a beautiful but cruel sorceress, the Winged Monkeys are beholden to a Golden Cap; the owner of the cap may ask three wishes of them, and they must deliver. The Wicked Witch of the West uses the Monkeys for evil purposes; Dorothy uses them to help her traveling group overcome several obstacles. When they reach Glinda, she asks Dorothy to transfer ownership of the hat to her. Glinda plans to use the cap to help the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Lion achieve their goals. After she has used her three wishes, she plans to return the cap to the King of the Monkeys and, in so doing, grant them their freedom.
Aunt Em and Uncle Henry
Dorothy lives with Aunt Em and Uncle Henry in Kansas. While in the Land of Oz, she desperately longs to return to them. When, in the initial chapter, a cyclone sweeps over their house, Aunt Em hurries into the storm cellar just ahead of Dorothy, who is swept away with the house. When Dorothy returns home in the final scene, Aunt Em covers her in kisses and ushers her into the new home Uncle Henry built.
Toto
Dorothy’s beloved companion, Toto, provides laughter and entertainment amid the drab and mundane Kansas landscape. Dorothy adores the little dog, and he journeys with her to the Land of Oz and back.
