Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz · Chapter
XI: They Meet the Wooden Gargoyles explained
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.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Courage and Resourcefulness
The group faces the wooden Gargoyles with determination; Dorothy refuses to retreat, the Wizard uses revolvers and noise to fight, and Zeb captures a prisoner.
Adventure and Exploration
The travelers emerge into the bizarre, silent wooden country of the Gargoyles, encountering a completely alien environment.
Hospitality and Generosity
The Gargoyles are hostile rather than welcoming, contrasting with the theme of hospitality seen elsewhere.
Characters to notice
- Dorothy Gale
Dorothy insists they cannot turn back and must fight the Gargoyles to reach home.
- Jim the Cab-Horse
Jim warns of danger, kicks the attacking Gargoyles with his iron-shod hooves, and threatens to chew up Eureka if she harms the piglets.
- Zeb
Zeb unhitches Jim from the buggy and captures a crowned Gargoyle by tying it with a strap.
- Eureka the Kitten
Eureka expresses hunger for the Wizard's tiny piglets but is warned by Jim and Dorothy to leave them alone.
- The Wizard
The Wizard retrieves revolvers from his satchel, fires at the Gargoyles, and produces the nine tiny piglets from his pocket.
- Jellia Jamb
Not present in this chapter.
Key passages
“I've taken a look at this place, and it's no fit country for real creatures to go to. Everything's dead, up there—no flesh or blood or growing thing anywhere.”
Jim says the land above is unsuitable for living beings because it is entirely lifeless and wooden.
Jim's warning about the Country of the Gargoyles.
“Each of their arms is a wooden club, and I'm sure the creatures mean mischief, by the looks of their eyes.”
The Wizard observes that the Gargoyles' arms are like clubs and that they intend harm.
The Wizard assesses the threat posed by the Gargoyles.
“So I may die with a clear conscience. It's every man's duty to do the best he knows how; and I'm going to do it.”
The Wizard explains he will fight even if hopeless, to maintain his integrity.
The Wizard's resolve to fight despite the odds.