| Gargoyles | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Real Name |
Gargoyles |
|
First Appearance |
Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz (1908) |
|
Original Publisher |
Reilly & Britton |
|
Created by |
L. Frank Baum & W.W. Denslow |
Origin[]
The gargoyles are made entirely of wood and are all less than three feet in height. Their bodies are round, with short thick legs and long stout arms. Their faces are varied in design, but equally ugly. They have no hair, but the tops of their heads are carved into fantastic shapes. Their short wooden wings are fastened to their bodies with wooden hinges, and on them they fly swiftly and noiselessly.
The gargoyles always remain completely silent. They communicate by means of quick signals made with their fingers or lips. Sudden loud noises startle them.
Although there is no night in the Land of Naught, the gargoyles enjoy a daily rest time. They take off their wings during this time and set them in a corner until they wake up.
Overman-Anu, the Champion of the Valley of Voe, fought the Gargoyles for nine days before escaping. Afterward, he could not be induced to describe the creatures, though he apparently mentioned that they dread noise.
The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy Gale, Zeb Hugson, and their animal friends visited the Land of Naught after climbing Pyramid Mountain and meeting the Braided Man.
After exchanging gifts with him, the travelers continue upwards into the Land of the Gargoyles, where everything is made of wood, including the gargoyles, which are hostile, silent, flying monsters. The travelers are able, at first, to repel their attack successfully because the Gargoyles are frightened by loud noises. However, the travelers are soon out of breath and unable to make more noise, so the Gargoyles capture them. After recuperating from the fight, the travelers manage to escape, and enter another tunnel.
Public Domain Literary Appearances[]
- Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz (1908)