Secondary and Minor Characters in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz – L. Frank Baum
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz – L. Frank Baum (1900)
While Dorothy, her companions, and the central figures dominate The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Baum populates his land with secondary characters and minor magic users who serve vital roles in the story’s geography, magic system, and moral structure. These figures provide depth, function, and sometimes comic or instructive relief within the fairyland.
1. Professor Marvel – Mortal Guide
- Origin: Kansas
- Role: A traveling magician and fortune-teller encountered by Dorothy before her journey to Oz
- Magic: None real; relies on illusions and persuasion
- Function: Introduces the theme of perception versus reality; foreshadows Dorothy’s encounters with the Wizard
- Notes: Exemplifies Baum’s use of mortals who mimic magic, reinforcing that power in Oz is as much about belief and presentation as it is about supernatural ability
2. The Hammer-Heads – Guardians of the Forest
- Origin: Forests along the Yellow Brick Road
- Magic: Minimal; innate strength and unique physical traits (flat, hammer-like heads)
- Role: Obstacles to travelers; test resourcefulness and courage
- Notes: Serve as physical and moral tests, reinforcing Baum’s lesson that intelligence and kindness often overcome brute force
3. The Winkie Guards – Loyal Protectors
- Origin: Winkie Country
- Magic: None inherent; act under the Wicked Witch’s coercion
- Role: Represent the structures of power and obedience in Oz
- Notes: Demonstrate that magical oppression can bind otherwise ordinary citizens, a key element in Oz’s moral architecture
4. Glinda’s Magical Delegates – Helpers of the South
Those under Glinda’s authority and/or those who follow Glinda’s guidance. Baum does not explicitly name formal delegates, officials, or agents working under Glinda in the 1900 novel. This is implied.
- Origin: Quadling Country
- Magic: Minor spells, communication, and enforcement of magical law
- Role: Facilitate Dorothy’s journey indirectly; provide magical guidance without dominating the narrative
- Notes: Illustrate Baum’s principle that magic is regulated and purposeful, not whimsical or chaotic
5. The Munchkins – Early Magical Society
- Origin: Munchkin Country
- Magic: Limited to cultural or ceremonial practices; empowered by the Silver Shoes indirectly
- Role: Celebrate liberation and justice after the Wicked Witch of the East is defeated
- Notes: Function as the first magical social unit Dorothy encounters, establishing Oz’s ethical and political baseline
6. Minor Magical Rules and Objects
- Baum distributes magical rules subtly through these secondary figures:
- Obedience to authority (Flying Monkeys, Winkie Guards)
- Protective or functional magic (Glinda’s delegation, Silver Shoes)
- Testing of character (Hammer-Heads, forest creatures)
- Even minor characters adhere to the internal consistency of Oz, reinforcing the land’s structured magical and moral system
These secondary characters are critical for linking geography, morality, and magic in Oz. They populate the narrative with function, challenge, and guidance, allowing Dorothy and her companions to demonstrate virtue and cleverness while revealing the underlying laws of Baum’s fairyland.
