The Marvelous Land of Oz

L. Frank Baum

The Marvelous Land of Oz

L. Frank Baum
45 pages1-hour read
Fiction
Novel
Middle Grade
Published in 1904

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

Tip is a mischievous and resourceful boy living in the Gillikin Country of Oz. Raised by an abusive guardian, he demonstrates cleverness and adaptability when he decides to run away from his harsh living conditions. He quickly finds himself thrust into a position of leadership and responsibility when the wooden figure he creates is brought to life, forcing him to mature and protect his new companion.

Key Relationships

Ward of Mombi

Creator and protector of Jack Pumpkinhead

Political ally of The Scarecrow

Animator and rider of The Saw-Horse

Traveling companion of The Woggle-Bug

Animator of The Gump

Jack is a wooden man constructed from saplings, wearing scavenged clothes and sporting a carved pumpkin for a head. Brought to life by the magical Powder of Life, he is unfailingly polite, naive, and perpetually smiling. Despite his cheerful appearance, he experiences deep anxiety regarding his fragile joints and perishable head.

Key Relationships

Dependent of Tip

Friend of The Scarecrow

Rider of The Saw-Horse

Mombi is a cruel and cunning sorceress living in the northern Gillikin Country. She maintains her power through intimidation and dark magic, holding the boy Tip as her captive ward. She possesses a vengeful nature and is skilled at deceptive transformations, using her abilities to threaten those who cross her.

Key Relationships

Abusive guardian of Tip

Political ally of General Jinjur

Magical adversary of Glinda the Good

Secretly connected to Princess Ozma

The Scarecrow is the current ruler of the Emerald City, maintaining his position through quiet wisdom and an unflappable demeanor. He values the "brains" he acquired in his previous adventures and approaches political upheaval with philosophical calm. He often pauses to think through problems rather than reacting with panic or aggression.

Key Relationships

Old friend of The Tin Woodman

Usurped by General Jinjur

Allied with Tip

Employer of Jellia Jamb

Commander of Soldier with the Green Whiskers

General Jinjur is a charismatic and ambitious young woman who commands an army armed with glittering knitting needles. She seeks to overthrow the male rulers of the Emerald City and claim its immense wealth for herself and her soldiers. Her leadership relies heavily on intimidation and the exploitation of the city's peaceful defenders.

Key Relationships

Usurper of The Scarecrow

Political ally of Mombi

Intimidator of Soldier with the Green Whiskers

Also known as Nick Chopper, the Tin Woodman is the nickel-plated Emperor of the Winkies. He is renowned for his emotional depth, claiming to have the warmest heart in the world, which drives him to instantly assist his friends in need. He combines this sentimentality with significant physical strength and impressive mechanical skills.

Key Relationships

Devoted friend of The Scarecrow

Mechanical repairer of Jack Pumpkinhead

Builder of The Gump

Allied with Tip

Glinda is the powerful and wise Sorceress of the South. She represents ultimate justice and legitimate authority in the land of Oz, maintaining a highly disciplined army and a vast library of records. She uses her considerable magical knowledge to uncover falsehoods and restore order to the realm.

Key Relationships

Magical adversary of Mombi

Protector of Princess Ozma

Advisor to The Scarecrow

Supporting Characters

Mr. H. M. Woggle-Bug, T. E., is an insect who was accidentally magnified to human size and thoroughly educated by living in a schoolhouse. He dresses as a cultured gentleman and speaks in highly formal, polysyllabic sentences. He is deeply proud of his academic background and constantly makes puns that irritate his companions.

Key Relationships

Traveling companion of Tip

Intellectual foil to The Scarecrow

Repairer of The Gump

The Saw-Horse is a simple wooden tool brought to life by magic. Built for utility, it proves to be a tireless runner with an incredibly fast pace. It possesses a gruff, blunt personality and frequently complains about its stiff joints, yet it proves invaluable to the group's survival.

Key Relationships

Animated by Tip

The Gump is a makeshift flying machine brought to life by the last of Tip's magical powder. Voiced through its mounted animal head, it possesses a conglomerate personality and expresses constant surprise and mild shame over its bizarre, assembled body. It serves the group obediently but unenthusiastically.

Key Relationships

Assembled by The Tin Woodman

Animated by Tip

Princess Ozma is the long-lost daughter of the former King Pastoria. Hidden away as an infant by the Wizard of Oz and the sorceress Mombi, her whereabouts are the central political mystery of the land. Her existence challenges the claims of any current rulers of the Emerald City.

Key Relationships

Sought by Glinda the Good

Hidden away by Mombi

Jellia Jamb is a maid working in the Emerald City palace. She is mischievous and briefly takes advantage of the Scarecrow and Jack's confusion by mistranslating their conversation for her own amusement.

Key Relationships

Employee of The Scarecrow

The sole member of the Royal Army of the Emerald City. Despite his official title, he is nonconfrontational and easily intimidated, fleeing from conflict because his weapon is unloaded.

Key Relationships

Soldier of The Scarecrow

Flees from General Jinjur

The official responsible for maintaining the bureaucracy of the Emerald City's borders. He strictly follows protocol but quickly surrenders his keys when faced with General Jinjur's advancing army.

Key Relationships

Subordinate to The Scarecrow

Surrenders to General Jinjur

The magical leader of the field mice, she honors her past alliance with the Tin Woodman. She provides crucial assistance by guiding the travelers through a maze of deceptive magical barriers set by Mombi.

Key Relationships

Magical ally of The Tin Woodman