# The Earthquake explained — Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz

> Chapter companion for Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz by L. Frank Baum.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Adventure and Exploration

The chapter begins a journey into the unknown as Dorothy and Zeb are suddenly swallowed by the earth, setting the stage for their underground adventure.

### Courage and Resourcefulness

Despite the terrifying earthquake and fall, both Dorothy and Zeb show composure—Dorothy by staying calm and Zeb by keeping his wits during the crisis.

## Character check-ins

### Dorothy Gale

Arrives by train from San Francisco, carrying her kitten Eureka in a birdcage. She is calm and observant, and loses consciousness during the fall into the earth.

### Zeb

Dorothy's second cousin who works on Uncle Bill Hugson's ranch. He meets Dorothy at the station and drives the buggy; he remains conscious during the fall but is badly frightened.

### Jim the Cab-Horse

A tall, bony, and tired-looking horse. He is initially stubborn but eventually trots homeward; he falls into the earthquake crack, pulling the buggy and its occupants with him.

### Eureka the Kitten

Dorothy's kitten, carried in a birdcage covered with newspapers. She is present during the earthquake and fall.

### Uncle Hugson

Mentioned as Zeb's employer and the owner of the ranch where Dorothy and Uncle Henry are visiting. Not physically present in the chapter.

## Key lines

> The train from ’Frisco was very late. It should have arrived at Hugson’s Siding at midnight, but it was already five o’clock and the gray dawn was breaking in the east when the little train slowly rumbled up to the open shed that served for the station-house.

The train from San Francisco was delayed by earthquakes and did not reach Hugson's Siding until dawn, five hours late.

_Establishes the setting and the earthquake's impact on travel._

> Suddenly there was a rending, tearing sound, and the earth split into another great crack just beneath the spot where the horse was standing. With a wild neigh of terror the animal fell bodily into the pit, drawing the buggy and its occupants after him.

A violent earthquake opened a chasm directly under the horse, causing the entire buggy and its passengers to plunge into the darkness.

_Climactic moment of the chapter, initiating the underground adventure._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dorothy_and_the_wizard_in_oz_se/chapters/i-the-earthquake
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dorothy_and_the_wizard_in_oz_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dorothy_and_the_wizard_in_oz_se/chapters