Ozma of Oz · Chapter
The Giant with the Hammer explained
The travelers encounter a giant iron man who pounds the path with a massive hammer, blocking their way.
What happens
The travelers encounter a giant iron man who pounds the path with a massive hammer, blocking their way. After careful planning, they cross one by one under the hammer's rhythm, with the Cowardly Lion, Tiger, Scarecrow, Tiktok, and Tin Woodman succeeding, while the officers are carried across by the Lion and Tiger, and the private is rescued after a mishap with the Sawhorse.
Themes in this chapter
Courage and Adventure
The characters must summon courage to dash under the giant's hammer, facing a dangerous obstacle on their quest.
Resourcefulness and Cleverness
The Scarecrow devises the plan to time the hammer's rise, and the group works together to cross safely.
Characters to notice
- Ozma
Leads the procession and uses the magic carpet to cross a gulf; rides the Cowardly Lion under the giant's hammer.
- Dorothy Gale
Holds Billina and rides the Hungry Tiger under the hammer; participates in the crossing.
- Billina
Insists on stopping to lay an egg, causing a delay; later flutters under the hammer.
- Scarecrow
Thinks of the plan to run under the hammer; rescues the Sawhorse and has his foot smashed; keeps Billina's egg as a souvenir.
- Tin Woodman
Impatient with Billina's delay; crosses under the hammer safely; fits new ears to the Sawhorse.
- Cowardly Lion
Trembles with fear but leads the crossing under the hammer, carrying Ozma; later helps rescue the officers.
- Hungry Tiger
Carries Dorothy under the hammer; helps rescue the officers despite being tired.
- Tik-Tok
Explains the giant's origin and crosses under the hammer with calm precision.
Key passages
“The road led for a time through a pretty farm country, and then past a picnic grove that was very inviting.”
The path went through nice farmland and a tempting picnic area.
Describes the pleasant start of the journey.
“If she hurries she may lay scrambled eggs.”
If she rushes, her egg might come out scrambled.
The Scarecrow's humorous remark about Billina's egg-laying.
“The ir-on gi-ant is a fine fel-low, said Tiktok, and works as stead-i-ly as a clock.”
Tiktok says the iron giant is a fine creation that works like clockwork.
Tiktok explains the giant's mechanical nature.
“We have but to run under the hammer, one at a time, when it is lifted, and pass to the other side before it falls again.”
We just need to dash under the hammer one by one when it rises, reaching the other side before it comes down.
The Scarecrow's plan to cross the obstacle.