The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

chapter

page

term

definition

other info / question

1

11

midst

middle

"surrounded by"

1

11

prairies

flat land

very very flat

1

11

the farmer's wife

his wife

Why is Aunt Em introduced as "the farmer's wife"?

1

11

lumber

wood products used in construction

1

11

rusty looking

not shiny or well-kept

What does the room and the condition of the stove tell you about their economic condition?

1

11

three or four chairs

Why is the description inexact?

1

12

garret

attic

1

12

cellar

basement

1

12

cyclone

whirlwind

tornado

1

12

whirlwinds arose

tornadoes do not "arise"; they touch down from the sky.

1

12

trap-door

hidden door

Compare to the movie

1

12

plowed land

cultivated, made into farmland

1

12

blistered

made to bubble up

1

12

sparkle

shined (with good humor)

1

12

gaunt

not well fed

1

12

startled

surprised

1

12

(picture)

Compare Toto and Dorothy to the portrayals in the movie.

1

13

scream

yell in a frightened way

Compare Aunt Em's reaction to the action that provoked it.

1

13

stern

strict

1

13

solemn

very very serious

1

13

not gray

What are the two things in Kansas that are not gray according to the book?

1

13

twinkled

sparkled

Stars are often described as "twinkling"

1

13

wee

tiny

1

13

door-step

archaic form of "doorstep"

1

13

To-day

archaic form of "today"

1

14

wail

sound like crying

1

14

ripples

waves

1

14

the stock

livestock

(cows, sheep, horses, etc.)

1

14

glance

quick look

Compare: look, watch, stare, glance, glimpse.

1

14

shriek

sudden scream

1

14

lost her footing

fell down

1

15

howled

a long, loud type of scream

Note the use of scream, wail, shriek, howl.

1

15

dashed

violently thrown down and broken

1

15

resolved

made up her mind to

Compare how quickly the Kansas scene goes by in the movie.

2

19

shock

bump

2

19

jar

shock

2

19

whined

made a complaining sound

2

19

dismally

with great sadness

2

19

sprang

jumped up with much energy

2

20

midst

Note the parallel use of this word.

2

20

marvelous

so wonderful to be marveled at

2

20

sward

covered with grass

Note the contrast, list all the things that are different.

2

20

banks

groups

2

20

on every hand

??

Most likely: "in every direction"

2

20

plumage

feathers, coloring

2

20

fluttered

flew small distances

2

20

brook

small river

2

20

murmuring

making a sound like very soft talking

2

20

queerest

strangest

2

20

tinkled

sound made by a small bell

2

20

sprinkled

scattered, but with a pleasing appearance

2

20

glistening

shining in a nice way

Tinkled, sprinkled, glistened: powerful description words

2

21

Sorceress

feminine form of Sorcerer

2

21

little woman

The movie introduces Glinda here (the other good witch)

2

22

hesitation

slowness of speech

2

22

beam

large piece of lumber

2

22

shod

having shoes on

2

22

silver shoes

The movie used ruby slippers.

2

22

bondage

loss of freedom

2

23

slave for her

work for her (overmuch, or for no pay)

2

24

witches were all dead

Why would Dorothy ask about witches in Kansas?

2

24

sinking her voice

I would say "… her voice sinking to a whisper."

2

25

dust

What is the dust made of?

2

25

carried her shoes in

Compare to the movie

2

26

sob

cry

2

26

City of Emeralds

Compare to Emerald City

2

27

kiss

Why did they leave the magical kiss out of the movie?

2

28

Dorothy not surprised

What does this tell you about her character?

3

31

pail

bucket

in the old days people took pails to bars for beer, and to wells for water

3

31

help out

make complete

3

31

helped herself

taken for herself

Is there any significance to the word "help" being used so much for Dorothy?

3

32

gingham

a checked, striped or plaid pattern dress

3

32

frock

dress (esp. for a young woman)

3

32

sunbonnet

hat with a long bill

3

32

wagged

moved his tail back and forth cheerfully

3

32

the silver shoes fit her

Which fairy tale is suggested by this part of the story?

3

33

soberly

seriously

3

33

yellow brick road

Compare to how she found the yellow brick road in the movie.

3

33

fences were dainty blue

Compare to Kansas.

3

34

fiddlers

musicians playing a violin or violin-like instrument

3

34

hearty

a large, healthy meal giving great satisfaction

3

34

settee

sofa

3

34

(picture)

How does the picture match the story?

3

35

ordinary

typical

3

35

slept soundly

slept very well, deeply

3

35

crowed

made a sound of victory

3

35

amused

entertained

3

35

gravely

seriously

3

35

(picture)

What do you think Toto is thinking?

3

36

journey

long, difficult trip

Taking a journey is a typical fairy tale event.

3

36

bade goodbye

said goodbye

3

36

earnestly

with concentration, seriously

3

37

wink

to close one eye as a signal to another person

Compare to how she found the scarecrow was alive in the movie.

3

37

husky

hoarse, dry

Note the pun (husk is the covering of wheat, rice, corn and other grains.

3

37

obliged

be given a great favor (and thus have the necessity to do a favor in return)

3

37

puzzled

confused

3

38

stretched and yawned

Compare with the movie's portrayal of the Scarecrow limbering up.

3

38

enquired

asked

The scarecrow uses elegant speech, and the way it is reported is formal too.

3

39

fool

silly person

3

39

gratefully

with thankfulness

3

39

the party

the group

3

40

lighted match

This is foreshadowing, and shows the Scarecrow is not brainless.

4

43

stumbled

missed his footing

4

43

merrily

happily, with good humor

4

44

dismal

unhappy, depressing

4

44

spoil

destroy

Note the use of spoil in reference to eating.

4

44

queer

strange

4

44

dreary

unhappy looking

Would you rather stay in Oz or go back to a poor life in Kansas?

4

45

There is no place like home.

This idea is repeated often in the movie.

4

45

reproachfully

disapprovingly

4

45

made day before yesterday

should be "made the day before yesterday"

Is this a typographical error or the Scarecrow's mistake?

4

45

curiosity

interest

4

45

glimpse

to see something without intentionally directing your eyes to it first

4

46

deserted

left alone

4

47

anxious

waiting desperately

4

48

untilled

not farmed

5

53

inconvenient

troublesome

5

53

thoughtfully

Why is the Scarecrow described as saying it "thoughtfully"?

5

54

bother

trouble

5

54

groan

sound of misery; sound made by objects under pressure

5

54

jointed

made with devices that allow movement

5

55

anxiously

worriedly

5

56

always

forever

5

56

suppose so

imagine so

5

57

shouldered

put on his shoulder

5

58

rather have a heart

What would you prefer - a brain or a heart? (intellect or emotion)

5

59

enchanted

put a spell on

5

59

anxious to get

wanting very much to get

5

59

nothing daunted

not discouraged at all

5

59

happened

chanced to

5

59

thought I had beaten

How did he know the Witch was behind his trouble?

5

59

made my axe

Is this the same axe he uses now?

5

60

left to stand

Why did the Tin Man forget to oil himself?

5

60

greatest loss

What is the Tin Man's philosophy of life?

5

61

anxious

(which meaning of anxious do you think it is?)

5

61

fool would not know what to do with a heart

How would you respond to the Scarecrow?

5

61

she decided…

How did Dorothy solve the riddle of who (the Scarecrow or the Tin Man) was right?

5

61

she was fed

Why not "she ate"?

6

65

deep growl

threatening, menacing sound

6

66

we must protect him

This is a type of foreshadowing.

6

67

dare to

have the audacity to

The other meaning of "dare" is "to have the courage to do something"

6

67

coward

someone overly afraid of danger

6

67

blunted

made dull

6

68

shiver

tremor (due to fear)

6

70

unbearable

so frustrating that life is not worth living

Note the "bear" (animal word) in unbearable

6

70

stately

regal, formal

6

70

beetle

Is the Tin Man a Zen Buddhist?

6

71

seized

took quickly

Note that the Scarecrow knew what to do.

6

72

toiling

working hard

6

72

needn't mind

don't need to care

Do you agree with the Tin Man's statement?

7

75

obliged

forced to

7

75

dew

moisture on the plants in the morning

7

75

splendid

wonderful

7

76

thoughtful

Make a note of how the Scarecrow is thoughtful in the story.

7

77

rippling

having rocks that interrupt the flow of the water

7

77

eventful

having many happenings

7

77

ditch

more like a canyon

7

77

gulf

space between two sides, distance to be traveled

7

78

nothing to do but try it

Is this courageous?

7

78

crouched

bent at the knees, tensed to leap up

7

78

panted

breathed quickly (from exhaustion)

7

79

gloomy

dark, sad, unhappy

7

79

Kalidahs

these beasts did not appear in the movie

7

81

dashed

broken up

7

82

river

This river is not in the movie

7

83

industrious

hard-working

8

87

beckon

call

8

89

worse off than before

What do you think of his observation?

8

91

wistfully

in a sad way, since one is yearning for that which cannot be had

8

92

eagerly

Why is Dorothy eager?

8

92

gay

happy

8

92

babies

When asked "Where do babies come from?" parents tell their children "The stork brings them."

8

93

meadow

field

Note that the witch had nothing to do with the poppy field.

8

93

well known

This could be a reference to opium (made from poppies)

8

95

fast asleep

deeply asleep

8

96

poison

deadly substance

Note the change in the description from "spicy scent" to "poison".

9

100

blow

a chop from the axe

9

100

it

the wildcat

9

100

his

the Tin Man

9

101

shrill

high-pitched (usually unpleasant)

9

101

scampered

ran off helter-skelter

9

103

truck

cart

9

103

pegs

fasteners

9

103

timidly

without confidence, with trepidation

9

103

courtesy

("curtsy" - a gesture made by women when meeting someone or acknowledging attention. One bends the knees with one foot behind the other)

9

106

warmly

with emotion

9

106

lest

in case

10

111

good-sized

quite big

10

112

boldly

without fear

10

113

terrible

able to destroy things easily

10

114

large collection of hearts

Is this a frightening thing to hear?

10

114

Toto could not speak

Why is Toto's inability to speak said to be strange?

10

115

studded

embedded

10

115

dazzled

made unable to see (because of brilliance)

10

116

perplexity

confusion

10

116

errand

trip with a special purpose, mission

10

116

idle errand

ask someone to do something you could easily do

10

117

blind you

make you blind

10

117

just fit

perfectly fit

10

118

portal

entrance

11

121

pavement

road

11

121

tint

pale shade

Why do the sun and the rays have a green tint?

11

122

no horses

Compare to the movie

11

122

demand

ask

11

123

Throne Room

formal room for a ruler (where the ruler sits on the throne)

11

123

audience

chance to see a leader

11

123

admit

allow to enter

11

124

counterpane

bedspread

11

124

to-morrow

old spelling of "tomorrow"

11

125

stupidly

without thinking

11

125

like a cat

like a housecat (lions are cats)

11

125

of the court

the people who spend time with the ruler or the ministers of a monarchy

11

126

walked boldly

again she is being bold (confident)

11

127

meek

humble, not proud

11

129

weep

cry

Compare to the movie - why did she cry in the movie?

11

130

astonished

amazed

11

131

dominions

lands (controlled by the ruler)

11

131

bestow

give

11

131

seek

consult for advice

11

132

terror

extreme fright

11

132

spake

said

11

133

pray

ask

11

133

gruffly

an impatient, but not completely unkindly, manner of speech

11

133

be of good cheer

don't worry

11

135

fiercely

strongly, intensely

This word also means "very aggressive" esp. as to animals.

12

140

fierce

very aggressive and dangerous

12

141

fierce eyes

frightening

12

141

Very well

"If that is what you want, OK"

12

141

wide awake

alert

12

142

shaggy

long-haired

12

143

peck

how the bird uses its bill (as for eating)

12

144

rage

complete anger

12

144

fine coal

high-quality coal (very black)

12

145

stamped her foot

brought her foot down strongly

12

145

tore her hair

pulled her hair out

12

145

gnashed her teeth

ground her teeth together

12

145

strap

piece of leather

12

147

rumbling

deep, low sound

Another meaning is "sign of trouble"

12

147

chattering

noisy way of talking

12

148

fate

disaster

12

150

severely

without any kindness, strictly

12

150

court-yard

(courtyard, land that is surrounded by a building on three or four sides

12

151

bounded

sprang

12

151

mane

hair around the lion's neck

12

151

flew at her

ran at her

12

153

snatched

grabbed (in a sneaky way)

12

154

wailing

a cry that expresses misery

13

161

solder

(n) a substance used to join metal to metal; (v) use that substance

13

161

mend

repair

13

161

vain

overly proud of his appearance

How has the Tin Man changed from his original character?

13

162

behold!

look at that!

14

168

lost heart

lost her confidence

14

170

plague us

trouble us

14

172

careless

perhaps it is better to say "carefree"

14

172

before Oz came out of the clouds

this is the first mention of how Oz arrived

14

172

mate with

marry

14

172

manhood

became an adult male

14

174

spared them

allowed them to live

14

174

wondered

was amazed by

14

175

wonderful

great / mysterious

15

179

in wonder

in a state of confusion / amazement

15

180

tiresome

making them annoyed

15

180

vexed

upset, made irritable

15

182

O

honorific used when addressing someone of high office, especially when asking for a favor.

15

182

trembled

shook (as if with fear or worry)

15

183

shan't

will not, shall not

15

183

filled with wonder

speechless with surprise

15

184

dismay

disappointment

15

184

making believe

pretending

15

184

hush

"Be quiet"

15

184

should be

these days we would say "would be ruined"

15

184

not a bit of it

"Not at all"

15

184

common man

typical man

15

184

grieved

with great sadness

15

184

humbug

fake

15

185

terrible

Note how many times "terrible" and "wonder" are used in this chapter.

15

185

ventriloquist

person trained in the ability to make their voice appear to come from different places

15

186

deceive

fool

15

186

slats

narrow pieces of wood

15

187

midst

When did Baum use this word before?

15

188

wonderful

amazing

NOT "great, very good"

15

189

I'm really a very good man

What do you think of Oz judging himself like that?

16

196

uneasily

worriedly

16

196

bran

the husks of wheat and other grains

16

196

fulfillment

realization, achievement

16

197

sawdust

the residue created from sawing logs

17

204

a balloon

Compare to the movie in which the balloon he came in still exists.

18

211

mourn

express sadness for someone who has departed

18

212

a stuffed man

Politicians are referred to as "stuffed shirts" as they can be pompous (overly proud, puff out their chests)

18

215

Glinda

This is the first mention of Glinda - compare to the movie.

19

221

dose

measurement of medicine

19

222

twined

encircled

19

223

china

porcelain

20

232

saucily

with mischief

20

232

poker

fireplace poker - an iron rod used to arrange the logs on a fire

One who has very erect posture looks as if they had a poker for a backbone

20

232

cracked in the head

crazy

note the pun

20

234

mantel-shelves

the ledge above a fireplace

20

234

church

Is it important that they broke a church?

20

234

brittle

easily broken (because not flexible enough)

21

237

bogs

wet, marshy land

21

237

marsh

waterlogged land

21

237

rank grass

smelly grass

21

237

tiresome

wearying

21

239

snarling

threatening growls

21

241

slender

thin

Is the lion being brave by attacking a sleeping animal?

22

245

steep

sharply ascending

22

245

rough voice

rude(in tone) or scratchy (in sound)

22

246

stout

strong looking

22

246

harshly

with no gentleness; an unpleasant sound

22

246

chorus

many voices saying the same thing at once

22

246

boisterous

laughing in an aggressive manner

22

247

mishap

unfortunate accident

22

247

vexation

irritation;

22

248

ripening

becoming ready to be picked

22

248

fat / chubby

"fat" is a more judgmental word

23

253

presentable

able to be in the presence of a guest or superior person

23

254

red hair…

What meaning does the description of Glinda have?

23

254

put on mourning

wear black clothes

23

255

"You are unusual"

What does Glinda's answer mean to you?

23

255

"brighter"

note the pun

23

256

for evermore

a formal way to say "forever"

23

256

earnestly

strongly, sincerely, intensely

23

258

"…instead of kissing"

Why did she not kiss the Scarecrow goodbye?

23

259

At length

eventually

24

261

gravely

very seriously, not jokingly