Ozma of Oz · Chapter
Dorothy Opens the Dinner-Pail explained
Dorothy, Billina, and Tiktok are trapped on a rock surrounded by Wheelers.
What happens
Dorothy, Billina, and Tiktok are trapped on a rock surrounded by Wheelers. Tiktok runs down and Dorothy rewinds him, learning that the Wheelers are not truly dangerous. While eating from a dinner-pail marked with the royal crest of Ev, Dorothy hears about the history of Ev and Oz, including the fate of King Evoldo and the revolution in Oz that led to Ozma's rule. Tiktok then offers to lead them to the town of Evna.
Themes in this chapter
Resourcefulness and Cleverness
Dorothy demonstrates resourcefulness by rewinding Tiktok, finding the lost key, and using her dinner-pail as a source of sustenance and information.
Magic and Wonder
The chapter highlights the magical nature of Oz and Ev, with talking animals, mechanical men, and enchanted lunch trees.
Characters to notice
- Dorothy Gale
Takes charge of the situation, rewinds Tiktok, eats her dinner, and learns about the Land of Ev and Oz.
- Billina
Skeptical of Dorothy's stories about Oz, but helps find Tiktok's key and eats crumbs from the dinner.
- Tik-Tok
Runs down and is rewound by Dorothy; explains the nature of the Wheelers and the history of Ev and Oz.
Key passages
“There is no rea-son to be a-fraid of the Wheel-ers... they are harm-less e-nough to an-y-one that dares to fight them.”
Tiktok reassures Dorothy that the Wheelers are not truly dangerous if one stands up to them.
Tiktok explains the true nature of the Wheelers, diminishing their threat.
“The best thinker I ever knew... was a scarecrow.”
Dorothy recalls that the Scarecrow from Oz was the most clever thinker she had met.
Dorothy compares Tiktok's thinking to the Scarecrow's wisdom.
“In the Land of Oz... an-y-thing is pos-si-ble. For it is a won-der-ful fair-y coun-try.”
Tiktok explains that Oz is a magical land where anything can happen.
Tiktok affirms the fantastical nature of Oz.