| The Scarecrow | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Real Name |
Scarecrow |
|
First Appearance |
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) |
|
Original Publisher |
Reilly & Britton |
|
Created by |
L. Frank Baum & W.W. Denslow |
Origin[]
The Scarecrow was made by a Munchkin farmer only two days before being discovered by Dorothy Gale. Being informed by the local crows that he had no brain, he joined Dorothy on her journey to the Emerald City in hopes of asking the Wizard of Oz for one. After several adventures, including the destruction of the Wicked Witch of the West, the Wizard was revealed as a humbug. Nevertheless, he filled the Scarecrow's head with bran mixed with pins and needles, giving him a brand-new brain that is very sharp. Before leaving the Land of Oz in a hot air balloon, the Wizard appointed the Scarecrow to rule as king in his place. The Wizard was unable to help Dorothy return home, so the Scarecrow and his companions went with her to Glinda, The Good Witch of the South's Palace. After Dorothy returned to Kansas, Glinda commanded the Winged Monkeys to carry the Scarecrow to the gates of the Emerald City.
The Scarecrow was later deposed as king when General Jinjur organized an Army of Revolt and took over the Emerald City. He escaped on the Saw-Horse, with Tip and Jack Pumpkinhead, to the castle of his good friend, the Tin Woodman. On their way back to the Emerald City, they met the Queen of the Field Mice, who allowed a dozen of her subjects to accompany the Scarecrow, nestled inside his straw-filled breast. When they arrived back at the Royal Palace, the Scarecrow released the mice and frightened away his captors.
He and his companions then went to Glinda to ask for her help in conquering Queen Jinjur and her army. Glinda refused in light of the fact that only Princess Ozma was the true ruler. When Tip was revealed to be Ozma, she was re-established on the throne and the Scarecrow went with his friend the Tin Woodman to live in the Winkie Country.
When Princess Ozma set out to rescue the Royal Family of Land of Ev from the Nome King, the Scarecrow joined her party. Along the way, they found Dorothy and soon arrived in the Nome Kingdom. The Nome King had transformed the Royal Family of Ev into ornaments for his palace, and he tricked the Ozites and began transforming them as well. The Scarecrow was transformed into a golden ornament, but was liberated along with everyone else by Billina the hen. At the conclusion of their successful mission, the party returned to the Emerald City.
After many years of living in the Emerald City, the Scarecrow decided to return to his roots as a farmer. Ozma gave him some land in the Winkie Country and Jack Pumpkinhead designed a mansion for him. He also has a boat made from a hollowed corncob, decorated with brilliant jewels and with a purple silk sail.
Glinda later sent the Scarecrow to Jinxland in the Quadling country to rescue some visitors of Oz: Trot, Cap'n Bill, and Button-Bright.
Appearance[]
The Scarecrow's head is a small sack with eyes, nose, mouth, and ears rudely painted on it (his eyes are not the same size, and his ears do not match. He wears an old, pointed blue hat with a flat brim trimmed with tinkling bells. His body is a faded blue suit of clothes stuffed with straw that sticks out at the seams. A rope is tied around his waist to keep his shape. His hands are gloves padded with cotton, and his fingers are long and limp. He wears old boots with blue tops like every other Munchkin. He has a husky voice.
His disposition is so kind and considerate, obliging and honest that all who know him love him.
Powers and Abilities[]
Because he is stuffed with straw, the Scarecrow can never get hurt, though he is awkward in his movements. He never tires, and never needs to sleep or eat. He also sees very well in the dark.
Weaknesses[]
The only thing he fears is fire.
Public Domain Appearances[]
Books:
- The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
- The Marvelous Land of Oz
- Ozma of Oz
- Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz
- The Road to Oz
- The Emerald City of Oz
- Little Wizard Stories of Oz
- The Patchwork Girl of Oz
- The Scarecrow of Oz
- The Royal Book of Oz
- Kabumpo in Oz
- The Cowardly Lion of Oz
- The Lost King of Oz
- The Hungry Tiger of Oz
- The Giant Horse of Oz
- The Wishing Horse of Oz
- Handy Mandy in Oz
- Ozoplaning with the Wizard of Oz
Film:
- The Fairylogue and Radio-Plays (1908)
- The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1910)
- Dorothy and the Scarecrow in Oz (1910)
- The Land of Oz (1910)
- His Majesty, the Scarecrow of Oz (1914)
- The Magic Cloak of Oz (1914)
- The Patchwork Girl of Oz (1914)
- The Wizard of Oz (1925)
- The Wizard of Oz (1933)
Notes[]
- In the 1910 Wizard of Oz silent film, the Scarecrow was not native to Oz and originally belonged to Dorothy's family, and inexplicably came to life just as the storm was starting to arrive. He is subsequently transported to Oz with Dorothy by the tornado.