Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz by L. Frank Baum.
Chapter 1
Dedication
The book is dedicated to Harriet A. B. Neal.
Chapter 2
To My Readers
L. Frank Baum addresses his young readers, explaining that their persistent demands for more Oz stories compel him to continue writing. He acknowledges the popularity of Dorothy and the Wizard, introduces new characters like Jim the Cab-Horse and Eureka the Kitten, and expresses his gratitude for the children's letters and suggestions that help shape his books.
Chapter 3
Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz
Dorothy and her companions, including the Wizard, navigate the strange underground world of the Mangaboos, facing threats and seeking a way back to the surface.
Chapter 4
The Earthquake
Dorothy Gale arrives at Hugson's Siding after a long, earthquake-delayed train ride from San Francisco. She is met by her second cousin Zeb, who drives a horse-drawn buggy. As they travel toward Hugson's Ranch, a powerful earthquake splits the earth beneath them, causing the horse, buggy, and both children to fall into a deep chasm.
Chapter 5
The Glass City
Dorothy, Zeb, Jim, and Eureka fall through a great crack in the earth and descend slowly into a strange underground world lit by six colored suns. They land on a glass roof in a beautiful but silent glass city. The group discovers that the air supports weight, allowing Eureka to walk on it, and they encounter a serene, beautifully dressed man who walks through the air without falling. The animals begin to talk, and the travelers realize they have entered a bizarre new adventure.
Chapter 6
The Arrival of the Wizard
Dorothy, Zeb, and Jim the cab-horse are brought before the Prince of the Mangaboos and the Sorcerer Gwig, who accuses them of causing a rain of stones. The Wizard of Oz descends in a balloon and is challenged to prove his magical superiority over Gwig. The Wizard performs a trick with tiny piglets, but Gwig threatens to stop his breath.
Chapter 7
The Vegetable Kingdom
The group is led through the glass city and its gardens by the Prince of the Mangaboos, who explains that his people grow on bushes and are picked when ripe. They witness the planting of the Sorcerer's halves and visit the folk gardens, where they see Mangaboos at various stages of growth. The Prince shows them the Royal Bush containing his successor, a beautiful Princess, but he delays her picking to maintain his rule and decides to destroy the strangers.
Chapter 8
V: Dorothy Picks the Princess
Dorothy, Zeb, and the Wizard decide to pick the ripe Royal Princess from her bush to replace the hostile Prince. After she comes to life, she assumes rule and the group explores the vegetable gardens, where the Wizard catches a fish for Eureka. They then take shelter in the House of the Sorcerer and sleep on glass benches.
Chapter 9
The Mangaboos Prove Dangerous
The Mangaboos decide to destroy Dorothy, Zeb, and the Wizard, but the Wizard's lantern trick saves them. However, the animals are driven toward the Black Pit. Jim and Eureka fight back but are eventually overwhelmed and forced toward the mountain.
Chapter 10
Into the Black Pit and Out Again
The Mangaboos imprison Jim, the piglets, and the buggy in a dark cave within the glass mountain. Eureka escapes and alerts Dorothy, the Wizard, and Zeb, who attempt a rescue but are also trapped. They decide to explore the tunnel, which leads them through the mountain and out into a new, charming country.
Chapter 11
The Valley of Voices
The travelers emerge from the glass mountain into a beautiful, sunless valley called the Valley of Voe. They discover that the inhabitants are invisible due to eating the dama-fruit, which also renders the local bears invisible. After the piglets eat the fruit and become invisible, the group meets an invisible family who offer them hospitality and explain the dangers of the valley.
Chapter 12
IX: They Fight the Invisible Bears
The travelers are warned by an unseen voice about invisible bears. They learn to walk on water using a special plant and escape the bears, but Jim is injured. They later encounter an invisible family who explain the dangers of the dama fruit, which causes invisibility. The group resists eating the fruit and continues their journey toward the Pyramid Mountain.
Chapter 13
The Braided Man of Pyramid Mountain
The travelers ascend the spiral stairs inside Pyramid Mountain, encountering a strange old man with braided hair and beard who lives in a cave halfway up. He claims to be a manufacturer of flutters and rustles, and trades his goods for a blue ribbon. His bizarre tale of falling through his own Adjustable Posthole suggests he may be mad, but the group politely continues their journey.
Chapter 14
XI: They Meet the Wooden Gargoyles
The group climbs out of the Valley of Voe and enters the wooden Country of the Gargoyles, where everything—including the inhabitants—is made of wood. The Gargoyles, small and ugly, attack the travelers. Jim the cab-horse fights them off with his hooves, and the Wizard fires a revolver, creating a loud noise that frightens the wooden creatures. Zeb captures one Gargoyle by tying it up. Meanwhile, Eureka the kitten threatens to eat the Wizard's tiny piglets, but is dissuaded by Dorothy and Jim.
Chapter 15
A Wonderful Escape
After being captured by the wooden Gargoyles, the group is imprisoned on a high platform. Eureka discovers that the Gargoyles detach their wings when sleeping. Zeb uses a strap to climb down, retrieves several wings, and the group prepares to use them to escape to a distant rock archway that may lead back to the surface.
Chapter 16
XIII: The Den of the Dragonettes
After escaping the Gargoyles by building a fire at the cave entrance, the group navigates a treacherous mountain passage and discovers a vast circular cave inhabited by young dragonettes—baby dragons whose tails are tied to rocks by their mother. The dragonettes, though hungry, cannot reach the travelers, who learn about their ancient lineage and the mother dragon's hunting habits. The group then finds two exit paths and hurries away before the mother dragon returns.
Chapter 17
Ozma Uses the Magic Belt
Dorothy explains to the Wizard and Zeb that Princess Ozma can see them through an enchanted picture and will use the Magic Belt to rescue them. At four o'clock, Dorothy signals Ozma and vanishes with Eureka, followed shortly by the Wizard, Zeb, Jim, and the piglets, who all reappear in the Emerald City of Oz.
Chapter 18
Old Friends Are Reunited
Dorothy, Zeb, and the Wizard arrive in the Emerald City and are warmly welcomed by old friends, including Jellia Jamb, the Scarecrow, Billina, the Tin Woodman, and the Woggle-Bug. The Wizard explains the origin of his name and his connection to Oz. Zeb is given fine clothes and meets Princess Ozma. Tensions arise between Eureka and Billina, but Dorothy quells the quarrel.
Chapter 19
XVI: Jim, the Cab-Horse
Jim the cab-horse adjusts to life in the Emerald City, asserting his identity as a real horse in contrast to the wooden Sawhorse. He meets the Cowardly Lion and the Hungry Tiger, who befriend him for Dorothy's sake. Dorothy reunites with her old friends and shares her adventures, while the Gump's Head briefly speaks to her. The chapter highlights Jim's pride, the animals' camaraderie, and the magical oddities of Oz.
Chapter 20
The Nine Tiny Piglets
Ozma declares a holiday in honor of her visitors, featuring a grand procession through the Emerald City and a performance by the Wizard, who delights the crowd with his tricks, including the famous nine tiny piglets. Afterward, the group enjoys a luncheon and attends games and races, where the Sawhorse defeats Jim the Cab-Horse in a race, earning the title of Prince of Horses from Ozma.
Chapter 21
The Trial of Eureka the Kitten
After several days of celebration, Ozma discovers her white piglet is missing and suspects Dorothy's kitten Eureka of eating it. Eureka is arrested and a trial is arranged, with Ozma as judge, the Tin Woodman as defender, and the Woggle-Bug as accuser. The Wizard, wanting to save Eureka and spare Dorothy's feelings, secretly gives the Tin Woodman a replacement piglet to produce if the jury finds Eureka guilty.
Chapter 22
The Wizard Performs Another Trick
The trial of Eureka the kitten takes place in the Throne Room before Princess Ozma, a jury, and many citizens. The Woggle-Bug prosecutes, the Tin Woodman defends, and the jury finds Eureka guilty of eating Ozma's piglet. The Wizard reveals a substitute piglet, but Eureka confesses the real piglet fell into a vase. Ozma retrieves it, proving Eureka innocent, and the trial concludes with the kitten freed.
Chapter 23
Zeb Returns to the Ranch
After the trial of Eureka, Dorothy and Zeb both long to return home. Using Ozma's magic, Dorothy is sent back to Kansas to reunite with her uncle and aunt, while Zeb and Jim are transported back to Hugson's Ranch, much to Uncle Hugson's amazement.
