# Tik-Tok — Ozma of Oz character guide

> Tik-Tok in Ozma of Oz by L. Frank Baum.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Tiktok, IV Tiktok the Machine Man, Mr. Tiktok

**First appearance:** 0006-iv-tiktok-the-machine-man

## Snapshot

A copper machine man who talks in clockwork syllables and runs down mid-sentence, yet serves as guide, guard, and encyclopedia for the stranded travelers.

## Who they are

Tik-Tok is wound up to walk, think, and speak, which makes him indispensable and perpetually at risk of stopping cold with one arm frozen in the air. His literal-minded honesty — he blames Smith & Tinker for any faulty thought — makes him both comic and oddly touching. He carries the expedition's history and its practical knowledge, and his vulnerability to a lost key keeps the adventure tense in small, human ways.

## In the story

### [Author's Note](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ozma_of_oz_se/chapters/author-s-note)

Introduced as a new character described as 'real Ozzy'.

### [Ozma of Oz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ozma_of_oz_se/chapters/ozma-of-oz)

A mechanical man who assists Dorothy and Billina on their journey.

### [IV: Tiktok the Machine Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ozma_of_oz_se/chapters/iv-tiktok-the-machine-man)

Copper mechanical man found imprisoned in the rock; explains his origin and becomes Dorothy's servant after being wound up.

### [Dorothy Opens the Dinner-Pail](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ozma_of_oz_se/chapters/v-dorothy-opens-the-dinner-pail)

Runs down and is rewound by Dorothy; explains the nature of the Wheelers and the history of Ev and Oz.

### [The Heads of Langwidere](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ozma_of_oz_se/chapters/vi-the-heads-of-langwidere)

Defends Dorothy by attacking the soldiers with his dinner-pail, but runs down and becomes immobile.

### [VII: Ozma of Oz to the Rescue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ozma_of_oz_se/chapters/vii-ozma-of-oz-to-the-rescue)

A mechanical man in the drawing-room; explains his clockwork nature to the Scarecrow and Tin Woodman.

### [VIII: The Hungry Tiger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ozma_of_oz_se/chapters/viii-the-hungry-tiger)

Wound up by Dorothy and introduced to the company.

### [The Royal Family of Ev](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ozma_of_oz_se/chapters/ix-the-royal-family-of-ev)

Points out that the Nome King did no wrong, as the prisoners were sold by King Evoldo.

### [The Giant with the Hammer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ozma_of_oz_se/chapters/x-the-giant-with-the-hammer)

Explains the giant's origin and crosses under the hammer with calm precision.

### [The Nome King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ozma_of_oz_se/chapters/xi-the-nome-king)

Advises Ozma to use entreaty and assures the group that the Nome King is honest and good-natured.

### [XII: The Eleven Guesses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ozma_of_oz_se/chapters/xii-the-eleven-guesses)

Asks if Ozma has failed, showing his mechanical but concerned nature.

### [XIII: The Nome King Laughs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ozma_of_oz_se/chapters/xiii-the-nome-king-laughs)

Observes that they will all become absurd ornaments tomorrow; speaks in his mechanical voice.

### [XIV: Dorothy Tries to Be Brave](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ozma_of_oz_se/chapters/xiv-dorothy-tries-to-be-brave)

Runs down in the palace, is wound up by Dorothy, makes his final guess, and is transformed into an ornament.

### [Purple, Green, and Gold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ozma_of_oz_se/chapters/xvi-purple-green-and-gold)

Also transformed into a gold ornament; restored and comments on the King's dishonesty.

### [XIX: The King of Ev](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ozma_of_oz_se/chapters/xix-the-king-of-ev)

Travels with the group and greets the Tin Woodman, though he dents his fingers shaking hands.

### [The Emerald City](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ozma_of_oz_se/chapters/xx-the-emerald-city)

Accompanies Dorothy as her faithful follower; receives emerald bracelets at the reception.

### [Dorothy's Magic Belt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ozma_of_oz_se/chapters/xxi-dorothy-s-magic-belt)

Wants to go to Australia but is left in Ozma's care because his machinery might not work in a civilized country.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ozma_of_oz_se/characters/tiktok
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ozma_of_oz_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ozma_of_oz_se/characters