The Wonderful Wizard of Oz · Character

Oz

The unseen ruler of the Emerald City, who speaks through flames and heads and never lets anyone look him in the face.

major

Also known as the Great Oz, the terrible Oz, Oz the Terrible, the Great and Terrible, the Great Oz himself, myself

First appearance: ii the council with the munchkins

As a major figure in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Oz is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Oz appears in three different forms—a giant Head, a lovely Lady, and a terrible Beast—and sets the same deadly task for each visitor.

In the storyXI: The Wonderful City of OzOpen this moment free

See Oz in XI: The Wonderful City of Oz Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

With Dorothy (professional): Oz acts as a powerful but deceptive ruler whom Dorothy seeks out for help returning to Kansas. With Scarecrow (professional): Oz tasks the Scarecrow with killing the Wicked Witch in exchange for brains, maintaining a transactional relationship. With Tin Woodman (professional): Oz promises the Tin Woodman a heart if he helps defeat the Wicked Witch, keeping a conditional pact.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Oz sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Oz in ii the council with the munchkins

Character Web

14 connections

A slice of how Oz sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional

Character groups

Dorothy's companions and foes
Protagonist

+9 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological low point where all four…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Dorothy
professional · ambivalent
Oz acts as a powerful but deceptive ruler whom Dorothy seeks out for help returning to… How this plays out →
Scarecrow
professional · ambivalent
Tin Woodman
professional · ambivalent
Cowardly Lion
professional · ambivalent
Wildcat
professional · ambivalent
Tin Woodman
professional · ambivalent
Dorothy
professional · ambivalent
Oz acts as a powerful but deceptive ruler whom Dorothy seeks out for help returning to… How this plays out →
Scarecrow
professional · ambivalent
Dorothy
professional · ambivalent
Oz acts as a powerful but deceptive ruler whom Dorothy seeks out for help returning to… How this plays out →
Wildcat
professional · ambivalent
Cowardly Lion
professional · ambivalent
Cowardly Lion
professional · ambivalent

Dorothy
Oz acts as a powerful but deceptive ruler whom Dorothy seeks out for help returning to Kansas.
Scarecrow
Oz tasks the Scarecrow with killing the Wicked Witch in exchange for brains, maintaining a transactional relationship.
Tin Woodman
Oz promises the Tin Woodman a heart if he helps defeat the Wicked Witch, keeping a conditional pact.
Cowardly Lion
Oz demands the Cowardly Lion prove his bravery by helping defeat the Witch, keeping a conditional promise of courage.
Wildcat
Oz employs the Wildcat as a servant or guard within his palace, maintaining a master-servant dynamic.
Tin Woodman
Oz promises the Tin Woodman a heart if he helps defeat the Wicked Witch, keeping a conditional pact.
Dorothy
Oz acts as a powerful but deceptive ruler whom Dorothy seeks out for help returning to Kansas.
Scarecrow
Oz tasks the Scarecrow with killing the Wicked Witch in exchange for brains, maintaining a transactional relationship.
Dorothy
Oz acts as a powerful but deceptive ruler whom Dorothy seeks out for help returning to Kansas.
Wildcat
Oz employs the Wildcat as a servant or guard within his palace, maintaining a master-servant dynamic.
Cowardly Lion
Oz demands the Cowardly Lion prove his bravery by helping defeat the Witch, keeping a conditional promise of courage.
Cowardly Lion
Oz demands the Cowardly Lion prove his bravery by helping defeat the Witch, keeping a conditional promise of courage.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Oz in ii the council with the munchkins

In the story

Oz appears across 4 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

XI: The Wonderful City of Oz
Oz appears in three different forms—a giant Head, a lovely Lady, and a terrible Beast—and sets the same deadly task for each visitor.
XV: The Discovery of Oz, the Terrible
Revealed as a little old man and a humbug; admits he is not a real wizard but agrees to grant the friends' requests.
The Magic Art of the Great Humbug
Reveals himself as a humbug, successfully granting the companions' wishes through trickery but admitting he cannot help Dorothy.
How the Balloon Was Launched
Reveals his plan to escape in a balloon; admits he is a humbug; departs alone, appointing the Scarecrow as ruler.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Oz unlock in the free preview.

See Oz in ii the council with the munchkins

See Oz in XI: The Wonderful City of Oz