The Scarecrow of Oz: What You Need to Know About the Ninth Installment of the Oz Saga by L. Frank Baum
The Scarecrow of Oz (Volume 9) 15: A Magical Adventure in a Fairyland
The Scarecrow of Oz is the ninth book set in the Land of Oz written by L. Frank Baum. Published on July 16, 1915, it was Baum's personal favorite of the Oz books and tells of Cap'n Bill and Trot journeying to Oz and, with the help of the Scarecrow, overthrowing the cruel King Krewl of Jinxland. Cap'n Bill and Trot had previously appeared in two other novels by Baum, The Sea Fairies and Sky Island.
The Scarecrow Of Oz (Volume 9) 15
The Scarecrow of Oz is a delightful story that combines fantasy, adventure, humor, and romance. It features some of the most memorable characters and scenes in the Oz series, such as the Ork, the Bumpy Man, the magic berries, the frozen heart, and the transformation of Cap'n Bill into a grasshopper. It also explores some important themes such as friendship, loyalty, courage, wisdom, love, compassion, justice, and freedom.
In this article, we will explore the plot, the characters, and the themes of The Scarecrow of Oz in more detail. We will also look at how the book was received by critics and readers, and what legacy it has left for future generations.
The Plot of The Scarecrow of Oz
How Cap'n Bill and Trot Journey to Oz
The story begins with Cap'n Bill, a sailor with a wooden peg-leg, and his friend, a little girl named Trot, setting out from California on a calm day for a short ride in their row-boat. A freak whirlpool capsizes their boat and pulls them under water, where they are carried by mermaids (referred to but not seen) to a cave. They are soon joined by a flying creature called an Ork.
Passing through a dark tunnel out of the cave, the three arrive at an island inhabited by a grim man calling himself Pessim the Observer. Cap'n Bill and Trot reduce their size by eating magic shrinking-berries, and the Ork carries them away from the island to the land of Mo, where they eat another type of magic berries and resume their normal size. They meet the Bumpy Man, who specializes in serving sugar and molasses and has some of their appearance too. After dining on Mo rain (lemonade) and Mo snow (popcorn), they run into Button Bright, the boy from The Road to Oz who has gotten lost again.
How They Meet Button Bright and the Ork
Button Bright is a boy who has a magic umbrella that can take him anywhere he wants. He is also very curious and easily distracted, which often leads him to get lost. He tells Cap'n Bill and Trot that he was on his way to Oz when he landed in Mo by mistake. He also reveals that he knows the Scarecrow, the former ruler of Oz, who is now traveling around the world.
Cap'n Bill calls down some of the native birds (who, like all birds in fairy countries, can talk back) and offers them the "growing" berries to make them large enough to carry himself, Trot, and Button-Bright to the land of Oz. The Ork decides to join them, as he is also looking for his own country, which he got lost from on a routine flight.
How They Arrive in Jinxland and Face Trouble
When they make it across the desert, Button-Bright, Cap'n Bill, and Trot are set down in a field and the Ork leaves them to find his own country. The place they have arrived in, Jinxland, is cut off from the rest of Oz by a range of high mountains and a bottomless crevice. The kingdom has had a turbulent recent history. The rightful king of Jinxland, King Kynd, was removed by his prime minister Phearse, who was in turn removed by his prime minister Krewl who now rules over the land.
An unpleasant but wealthy citizen named Googly-Goo seeks to marry King Kynd's daughter, Princess Gloria; however, she is in love with Pon, the current gardener's boy, who is the son of the first usurper Phearse. King Krewl and Googly-Goo hire a witch named Blinkie to freeze Gloria's heart so that she will no longer love Pon. Cap'n Bill happens on this plot, and to keep him from interfering, Blinkie turns him into a grasshopper.
How the Scarecrow Comes to Their Rescue
Trot and Button-Bright manage to escape from Krewl's palace with the help of a friendly soldier named Cayke. They find Cap'n Bill in his grasshopper form and try to find a way to restore him. They also meet Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, who has come to Jinxland to investigate the disturbances caused by Krewl and Blinkie. Glinda sends a message to Ozma, the current ruler of Oz, asking for her assistance.
Ozma sends the Scarecrow, who arrives in Jinxland by parachute. The Scarecrow uses his cleverness and humor to outwit Krewl and Blinkie and free Gloria from her frozen heart. He also restores Cap'n Bill to his human form and reunites him with Trot and Button-Bright. He then crowns Pon as the new king of Jinxland and marries him to Gloria. He also punishes Googly-Goo by making him marry Blinkie.
The Scarecrow then invites Cap'n Bill, Trot, Button-Bright, Cayke, and the Ork (who has returned after finding his country) to join him in his journey back to Oz. They all agree and are welcomed by Ozma and her friends at her palace in the Emerald City.
The Characters of The Scarecrow of Oz
Cap'n Bill: A Sailor with a Wooden Peg-Leg
Cap'n Bill is an old sailor who lost his leg in an accident at sea. He is kind-hearted and brave, but also stubborn and gruff at times. He loves Trot like his own daughter and protects her from any danger. He is good at sailing and fishing, but not very good at magic or fairyland customs. He is turned into a grasshopper by Blinkie but later restored by the Scarecrow.
Trot: A Little Girl with a Big Heart
The Scarecrow: The Former Ruler of Oz
The Scarecrow is one of the most beloved characters in the Oz series. He is a living scarecrow who was originally made by a farmer to scare away the crows. He was given life by a witch who passed by and enchanted him. He joined Dorothy on her first adventure to Oz and became one of her best friends. He asked the Wizard of Oz for a brain, but later discovered that he already had one. He became the ruler of Oz after the Wizard left, but gladly gave up his throne to Ozma, the rightful heir. He is very clever, witty, and kind-hearted. He often uses his straw stuffing to solve problems or help others.
Princess Gloria: The Daughter of King Kynd
Princess Gloria is the beautiful and gentle daughter of King Kynd, the former king of Jinxland. She is in love with Pon, the gardener's boy, who is also the son of Phearse, the first usurper of Jinxland. She rejects the advances of Googly-Goo, a rich but ugly and mean suitor. She is cursed by Blinkie, who freezes her heart and makes her indifferent to everyone and everything. She is freed from the curse by the Scarecrow, who uses his brains and a magic fan to melt her frozen heart. She then marries Pon and becomes the queen of Jinxland.
Pon: The Gardener's Boy and Gloria's True Love
Pon is a handsome and brave young man who works as a gardener in King Krewl's palace. He is actually the son of Phearse, who usurped King Kynd's throne but was later overthrown by Krewl. He loves Princess Gloria and vows to protect her from Googly-Goo and Krewl. He is captured by Krewl's soldiers and sentenced to death, but he is saved by the Scarecrow and his friends. He then becomes the king of Jinxland and marries Gloria.
King Krewl: The Usurper of Jinxland
King Krewl is the wicked and greedy ruler of Jinxland. He was originally the prime minister of Phearse, who had deposed King Kynd. He then betrayed Phearse and took over his throne. He oppresses his subjects and taxes them heavily. He also tries to force Princess Gloria to marry Googly-Goo, who promises him a large dowry. He hires Blinkie to freeze Gloria's heart and turn Cap'n Bill into a grasshopper. He is defeated by the Scarecrow and his friends, who strip him of his power and make him work as a gardener.
Googly-Goo: A Wealthy but Unpleasant Suitor
Googly-Goo is a rich but repulsive man who wants to marry Princess Gloria for her beauty and status. He has a large nose, small eyes, big ears, and a bald head. He wears expensive clothes and jewelry, but they only make him look more ridiculous. He bribes King Krewl with half of his fortune to help him win Gloria's hand. He also pays Blinkie to freeze Gloria's heart so that she will not love Pon anymore. He is humiliated by the Scarecrow and his friends, who make him marry Blinkie instead.
Blinkie: A Wicked Witch Who Freezes Hearts
Blinkie is a wicked witch who lives in Jinxland. She has one eye that blinks constantly, hence her name. She has some magical powers, such as turning people into animals or freezing their hearts. She works for King Krewl and Googly-Goo, who pay her well for her services. She curses Princess Gloria with a frozen heart and turns Cap'n Bill into a grasshopper. She also tries to harm Trot and Button-Bright, but fails. She is punished by Glinda, who takes away her magic powers and makes her marry Googly-Goo.
The Themes of The Scarecrow of Oz
Friendship and Loyalty
One of the main themes of The Scarecrow of Oz is friendship and loyalty. The characters in the story form strong bonds of friendship and loyalty that help them overcome the challenges they face. For example, Cap'n Bill and Trot are very close and care for each other like family. They also befriend Button-Bright, the Ork, Cayke, and the Scarecrow, who join them in their quest. The Scarecrow is loyal to Ozma and Glinda, who trust him with important missions. He is also loyal to Dorothy and the other Oz friends, who welcome him back with joy. Princess Gloria and Pon are loyal to each other and their love, despite the obstacles they face. They also remain loyal to King Kynd, who is Gloria's father and Pon's grandfather.
Courage and Wisdom
Another theme of The Scarecrow of Oz is courage and wisdom. The characters in the story show courage and wisdom in different ways. For example, Cap'n Bill shows courage when he confronts Blinkie and Krewl, even though he is turned into a grasshopper. He also shows wisdom when he advises Trot and Button-Bright on how to deal with the dangers they encounter. Trot shows courage when she stands up to Blinkie and Krewl, even though she is a little girl. She also shows wisdom when she uses her common sense and intuition to solve problems. Button-Bright shows courage when he explores new places with his magic umbrella, even though he gets lost easily. He also shows wisdom when he recognizes the Scarecrow as his friend and follows his lead. The Ork shows courage when he flies across the desert and fights Krewl's soldiers, even though he is outnumbered. He also shows wisdom when he uses his tail as a weapon and a tool. The Scarecrow shows courage when he parachutes into Jinxland and faces Krewl and Blinkie, even though he is made of straw. He also shows wisdom when he uses his brains to outsmart them and free Gloria from her frozen heart.
Love and Compassion
A third theme of The Scarecrow of Oz is love and compassion. The characters in the story show love and compassion in different ways. For example, Cap'n Bill and Trot show love and compassion for each other and for their friends. They also show love and compassion for the animals and plants they meet, such as the birds, the roses, and the grasshopper. Button-Bright shows love and compassion for his friends, especially for Trot, who he calls his sister. He also shows love and compassion for the Bumpy Man, who he helps with his chores. The Ork shows love and compassion for his friends, especially for Cap'n Bill, who he saves from drowning. He also shows love and compassion for his own kind, who he reunites with after a long separation. The Scarecrow shows love and compassion for his friends, especially for Dorothy, who he misses dearly. He also shows love and compassion for the people of Jinxland, who he liberates from Krewl's tyranny. Princess Gloria and Pon show love and compassion for each other and for their people. They also show love and compassion for Cap'n Bill, Trot, Button-Bright, Cayke, and the Ork, who they invite to their wedding.
Justice and Freedom
The Reception and Legacy of The Scarecrow of Oz
The Scarecrow of Oz was well received by critics and readers when it was first published in 1915. It was praised for its imaginative plot, colorful characters, and humorous tone. It was also considered one of Baum's best works in the Oz series, and his personal favorite. Baum dedicated the book to \"The Uplifters\", a social club of which he was a member in Hollywood.
The Scarecrow of Oz has also left a lasting legacy for future generations. It has been adapted into various media, such as films, comics, musicals, and video games. It has also inspired many writers and artists to create their own stories and interpretations of the Oz world. The Scarecrow of Oz is widely regarded as a classic of children's literature and a masterpiece of fantasy.
Conclusion
The Scarecrow of Oz is a magical adventure in a fairyland that captivates and entertains readers of all ages. It tells the story of Cap'n Bill and Trot, who journey to Oz and meet the Scarecrow, who helps them overthrow the wicked King Krewl of Jinxland. Along the way, they encounter many wonderful and whimsical characters and places, such as Button Bright, the Ork, the Bumpy Man, the land of Mo, Princess Gloria, Pon, Googly-Goo, Blinkie, Glinda, Ozma, and the Emerald City.
The Scarecrow of Oz also explores some important themes, such as friendship, loyalty, courage, wisdom, love, compassion, justice, and freedom. It shows how these values can help overcome any obstacle or challenge. It also shows how these values can make life more meaningful and joyful.
The Scarecrow of Oz is a book that deserves to be read and cherished by everyone who loves fantasy and adventure. It is a book that will make you laugh, cry, wonder, and dream. It is a book that will make you feel like you are in Oz yourself.
FAQs
Q: Who wrote The Scarecrow of Oz?
A: The Scarecrow of Oz was written by L. Frank Baum, an American author who created the Land of Oz.
Q: When was The Scarecrow of Oz published?
A: The Scarecrow of Oz was published on July 16, 1915. It was the ninth book in the original Oz series by Baum.
Q: Who are the main characters in The Scarecrow of Oz?
A: The main characters in The Scarecrow of Oz are Cap'n Bill, Trot, Button Bright, the Ork, the Scarecrow, Princess Gloria, Pon, King Krewl, Googly-Goo, and Blinkie.
Q: What are some of the themes in The Scarecrow of Oz?
A: Some of the themes in The Scarecrow of Oz are friendship, loyalty, courage, wisdom, love, compassion, justice, and freedom.
Q: How did The Scarecrow of Oz influence other works?
A: The Scarecrow of Oz influenced other works by inspiring writers and artists to create their own stories and interpretations of the Oz world. It also influenced other works by being adapted into various media, such as films, comics, musicals, and video games.
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