Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz · Chapter
IX: They Fight the Invisible Bears explained
The travelers are warned by an unseen voice about invisible bears.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Courage and Resourcefulness
The group uses the magical plant to walk on water and the Wizard fights the invisible bear, demonstrating quick thinking and bravery.
Hospitality and Generosity
The invisible family offers food and shelter, and the unseen voice warns the travelers about the bears, showing generosity despite their own vulnerability.
Characters to notice
- Dorothy Gale
Dorothy is cautious and follows the Wizard's lead; she comforts Eureka and resists eating the dama fruit.
- Jim the Cab-Horse
Jim is injured by the invisible bears but later gallops swiftly to safety, though he laughs at the Wizard and Zeb's tumble.
- Zeb
Zeb helps apply the plant to Jim's hoofs and the buggy wheels, and later drives the buggy across the river.
- Eureka the Kitten
Eureka is afraid of water but soon frolics on the river; she is tempted by the dama fruit but obeys Dorothy's warning.
- The Wizard
The Wizard uses his sword to kill one invisible bear, applies sticking-plaster to Jim's wounds, and leads the group to safety on the river.
Key passages
“There are bears near by. Be careful.”
An unseen voice warns the group that invisible bears are approaching.
This warning prompts the travelers to seek safety on the river.
“You must take to the river. The bears will not venture upon the water.”
The voice advises them to escape onto the river, where the bears cannot follow.
This leads to the discovery of the water-walking plant.
“If our unknown friend hadn’t warned us, and told us what to do, we would all be dead by this time.”
Dorothy acknowledges that the unseen helper saved their lives.
Highlights the theme of hospitality and generosity.