The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz

by

L. Frank Baum

The Scarecrow Character Analysis

The Scarecrow is the first travelling companion Dorothy meets on her way to the Emerald City. When Dorothy explains her intention to see the Wizard of Oz in the hopes that he can return her to Kansas, the Scarecrow asks if he can tag along and ask the Wizard for some brains. The Scarecrow is made of straw and can feel no pain, and the only thing he fears is fire. But because his head is full of straw, the Scarecrow assumes that he must not have a brain in his head, and this assumption makes him ashamed of himself. However, while he’s convinced that he lacks intelligence, his actions during his journey with Dorothy confirm that he’s mistaken. The Scarecrow consistently acts as the group’s strategist, whether he realizes it or not. He comes up with several clever solutions to problems along the way, hinting at the possibility that he’s had a brain the entire time. Regardless, his self-doubt persists until the Wizard fills his head with bran and tells him that it’s brains. His boost of self-confidence at this point implies that the Scarecrow only needed a shift in perspective to recognize his own intelligence. His friendship with Dorothy also comes to define him after their adventure together, and he continues to help her get home even after his own wish has been granted.

The Scarecrow Quotes in The Wizard of Oz

The The Wizard of Oz quotes below are all either spoken by The Scarecrow or refer to The Scarecrow. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Self-Doubt vs. Self-Confidence Theme Icon
).
Chapter 3: How Dorothy Saved the Scarecrow Quotes

‘I don’t mind my legs and arms and body being stuffed, because I cannot get hurt. If anyone treads on my toes or sticks a pin into me it doesn’t matter, for I can’t feel it. But I do not want people to call me a fool, and if my head stays stuffed with straw instead of with brains, as yours is, how am I ever to know anything?’

Related Characters: The Scarecrow (speaker), Dorothy, The Wizard of Oz
Page Number: 23
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 4: The Road Through the Forest Quotes

‘No matter how dreary and grey our homes are, we people of flesh and blood would rather live there than in any other country, be it ever so beautiful. There is no place like home.’

Related Characters: Dorothy (speaker), The Scarecrow, The Wizard of Oz, Aunt Em, Uncle Henry
Page Number: 27
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 5: The Rescue of the Tin Woodman Quotes

‘While I was in love I was the happiest man on earth; but no one can love who has not a heart, and so I am resolved to ask Oz to give me one. If he does, I will go back to the Munchkin maiden and marry her.’

Related Characters: The Tin Woodman (speaker), Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Wizard of Oz, The Wicked Witch of the East
Page Number: 40-41
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 6: The Cowardly Lion Quotes

Once, indeed, the Tin Woodman stepped upon a beetle that was crawling along the road, and killed the poor little thing. This made the Tin Woodman very unhappy, for he was always careful not to hurt any living creature; and as he walked along he wept several tears of sorrow and regret.

Related Characters: Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Tin Woodman, The Cowardly Lion, The Wizard of Oz
Page Number: 48
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 7: The Journey to the Great Oz Quotes

‘We are lost, for they will surely tear us to pieces with their sharp claws. But stand close behind me, and I will fight them as long as I am alive.’

Related Characters: The Cowardly Lion (speaker), Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Tin Woodman, The Wizard of Oz
Page Number: 55
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 8: The Deadly Poppy Field Quotes

‘Aren’t they beautiful?’ the girl asked, as she breathed in the spicy scent of the flowers.

‘I suppose so,’ answered the Scarecrow. ‘When I have brains I shall probably like them better.’

‘If only I had a heart I should love them,’ added the Tin Woodman.

Related Characters: Dorothy (speaker), The Scarecrow (speaker), The Tin Woodman (speaker)
Page Number: 63
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 9: The Queen of the Field Mice Quotes

‘Is there anything we can do,’ it asked, ‘to repay you for saving the life of our Queen?’

‘Nothing that I know of,’ answered the Woodman; but the Scarecrow, who had been trying to think, but could not because his head was stuffed with straw, said, quickly, ‘Oh, yes; you can save our friend, the Cowardly Lion, who is asleep in the poppy bed.’

Related Characters: The Scarecrow (speaker), The Tin Woodman (speaker), Dorothy, The Cowardly Lion
Page Number: 68
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 10: The Guardian of the Gates Quotes

‘Because if you did not wear spectacles the brightness and glory of the Emerald City would blind you. Even those who live in the City must wear spectacles night and day. They are all locked on, for Oz so ordered it when the City was first built, and I have the only key that will unlock them.’

Related Characters: Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Tin Woodman, The Cowardly Lion, The Wizard of Oz
Related Symbols: The Green Spectacles
Page Number: 80
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 11: The Wonderful Emerald City of Oz Quotes

‘Send me back to Kansas, where my Aunt Em and Uncle Henry are,’ she answered earnestly. ‘I don’t like your country, although it is so beautiful. And I am sure Aunt Em will be dreadfully worried over my being away so long.’

Related Characters: Dorothy (speaker), The Scarecrow, The Wizard of Oz, Aunt Em, Uncle Henry
Page Number: 89
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 13: The Rescue Quotes

When, at last, he walked into Dorothy’s room and thanked her for rescuing him, he was so pleased that he wept tears of joy, and Dorothy had to wipe every tear carefully from his face with her apron, so his joints would not be rusted. At the same time her own tears fell thick and fast at the joy of meeting her old friend again, and these tears did not need to be wiped away.

Related Characters: Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Tin Woodman, The Cowardly Lion, The Wizard of Oz, The Wicked Witch of the West
Page Number: 117
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 16: The Magic Art of the Great Humbug Quotes

Oz, left to himself, smiled to think of his success in giving the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman and the Lion exactly what they thought they wanted. ‘How can I help being a humbug,’ he said, ‘when all these people make me do things that everybody knows can’t be done?’

Related Characters: The Wizard of Oz (speaker), Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Tin Woodman, The Cowardly Lion
Page Number: 145-146
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 17: How the Balloon was Launched Quotes

But the people remembered him lovingly, and said to one another:

‘Oz was always our friend. When he was here he built for us this beautiful Emerald City, and now he is gone he has left the wise Scarecrow to rule over us.’

Still, for many days they grieved over the loss of the Wonderful Wizard, and would not be comforted.

Related Characters: Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Wizard of Oz
Page Number: 152
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 18: Away to the South Quotes

‘Certainly. If it wasn’t for Dorothy I should never have had brains. She lifted me from the pole in the cornfield and brought me to the Emerald City. So my good luck is all due to her, and I shall never leave her until she starts back to Kansas for good and all.’

Related Characters: The Scarecrow (speaker), Dorothy, The Wizard of Oz, Glinda
Page Number: 157
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 21: The Lion Becomes the King of the Beasts Quotes

‘It seems gloomy,’ said the Scarecrow.

‘Not a bit of it,’ answered the Lion; ‘I should like to live here all my life. See how soft the dried leaves are under your feet and how rich and green the moss is that clings to these old trees. Surely no wild beast could wish a pleasanter home.’

Related Characters: The Scarecrow (speaker), The Cowardly Lion (speaker), Dorothy, The Tin Woodman
Page Number: 172-173
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 23: Glinda Grants Dorothy’s Wish Quotes

‘Your Silver Shoes will carry you over the desert,’ replied Glinda. ‘If you had known their power you could have gone back to your Aunt Em the very first day you came to this country.’

Related Characters: Glinda (speaker), Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Tin Woodman, The Cowardly Lion, Aunt Em
Related Symbols: Dorothy’s Silver Slippers
Page Number: 185
Explanation and Analysis:

She threw her arms around the Lion’s neck and kissed him, patting his big head tenderly. Then she kissed the Tin Woodman, who was weeping in a way most dangerous to his joints. But she hugged the soft, stuffed body of the Scarecrow instead of kissing his painted face, and found she was crying herself at this sorrowful parting from her loving comrades.

Related Characters: Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Tin Woodman, The Cowardly Lion
Related Symbols: Dorothy’s Silver Slippers
Page Number: 187
Explanation and Analysis:
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The Scarecrow Quotes in The Wizard of Oz

The The Wizard of Oz quotes below are all either spoken by The Scarecrow or refer to The Scarecrow. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Self-Doubt vs. Self-Confidence Theme Icon
).
Chapter 3: How Dorothy Saved the Scarecrow Quotes

‘I don’t mind my legs and arms and body being stuffed, because I cannot get hurt. If anyone treads on my toes or sticks a pin into me it doesn’t matter, for I can’t feel it. But I do not want people to call me a fool, and if my head stays stuffed with straw instead of with brains, as yours is, how am I ever to know anything?’

Related Characters: The Scarecrow (speaker), Dorothy, The Wizard of Oz
Page Number: 23
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 4: The Road Through the Forest Quotes

‘No matter how dreary and grey our homes are, we people of flesh and blood would rather live there than in any other country, be it ever so beautiful. There is no place like home.’

Related Characters: Dorothy (speaker), The Scarecrow, The Wizard of Oz, Aunt Em, Uncle Henry
Page Number: 27
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 5: The Rescue of the Tin Woodman Quotes

‘While I was in love I was the happiest man on earth; but no one can love who has not a heart, and so I am resolved to ask Oz to give me one. If he does, I will go back to the Munchkin maiden and marry her.’

Related Characters: The Tin Woodman (speaker), Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Wizard of Oz, The Wicked Witch of the East
Page Number: 40-41
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 6: The Cowardly Lion Quotes

Once, indeed, the Tin Woodman stepped upon a beetle that was crawling along the road, and killed the poor little thing. This made the Tin Woodman very unhappy, for he was always careful not to hurt any living creature; and as he walked along he wept several tears of sorrow and regret.

Related Characters: Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Tin Woodman, The Cowardly Lion, The Wizard of Oz
Page Number: 48
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 7: The Journey to the Great Oz Quotes

‘We are lost, for they will surely tear us to pieces with their sharp claws. But stand close behind me, and I will fight them as long as I am alive.’

Related Characters: The Cowardly Lion (speaker), Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Tin Woodman, The Wizard of Oz
Page Number: 55
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 8: The Deadly Poppy Field Quotes

‘Aren’t they beautiful?’ the girl asked, as she breathed in the spicy scent of the flowers.

‘I suppose so,’ answered the Scarecrow. ‘When I have brains I shall probably like them better.’

‘If only I had a heart I should love them,’ added the Tin Woodman.

Related Characters: Dorothy (speaker), The Scarecrow (speaker), The Tin Woodman (speaker)
Page Number: 63
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 9: The Queen of the Field Mice Quotes

‘Is there anything we can do,’ it asked, ‘to repay you for saving the life of our Queen?’

‘Nothing that I know of,’ answered the Woodman; but the Scarecrow, who had been trying to think, but could not because his head was stuffed with straw, said, quickly, ‘Oh, yes; you can save our friend, the Cowardly Lion, who is asleep in the poppy bed.’

Related Characters: The Scarecrow (speaker), The Tin Woodman (speaker), Dorothy, The Cowardly Lion
Page Number: 68
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 10: The Guardian of the Gates Quotes

‘Because if you did not wear spectacles the brightness and glory of the Emerald City would blind you. Even those who live in the City must wear spectacles night and day. They are all locked on, for Oz so ordered it when the City was first built, and I have the only key that will unlock them.’

Related Characters: Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Tin Woodman, The Cowardly Lion, The Wizard of Oz
Related Symbols: The Green Spectacles
Page Number: 80
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 11: The Wonderful Emerald City of Oz Quotes

‘Send me back to Kansas, where my Aunt Em and Uncle Henry are,’ she answered earnestly. ‘I don’t like your country, although it is so beautiful. And I am sure Aunt Em will be dreadfully worried over my being away so long.’

Related Characters: Dorothy (speaker), The Scarecrow, The Wizard of Oz, Aunt Em, Uncle Henry
Page Number: 89
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 13: The Rescue Quotes

When, at last, he walked into Dorothy’s room and thanked her for rescuing him, he was so pleased that he wept tears of joy, and Dorothy had to wipe every tear carefully from his face with her apron, so his joints would not be rusted. At the same time her own tears fell thick and fast at the joy of meeting her old friend again, and these tears did not need to be wiped away.

Related Characters: Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Tin Woodman, The Cowardly Lion, The Wizard of Oz, The Wicked Witch of the West
Page Number: 117
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 16: The Magic Art of the Great Humbug Quotes

Oz, left to himself, smiled to think of his success in giving the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman and the Lion exactly what they thought they wanted. ‘How can I help being a humbug,’ he said, ‘when all these people make me do things that everybody knows can’t be done?’

Related Characters: The Wizard of Oz (speaker), Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Tin Woodman, The Cowardly Lion
Page Number: 145-146
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 17: How the Balloon was Launched Quotes

But the people remembered him lovingly, and said to one another:

‘Oz was always our friend. When he was here he built for us this beautiful Emerald City, and now he is gone he has left the wise Scarecrow to rule over us.’

Still, for many days they grieved over the loss of the Wonderful Wizard, and would not be comforted.

Related Characters: Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Wizard of Oz
Page Number: 152
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 18: Away to the South Quotes

‘Certainly. If it wasn’t for Dorothy I should never have had brains. She lifted me from the pole in the cornfield and brought me to the Emerald City. So my good luck is all due to her, and I shall never leave her until she starts back to Kansas for good and all.’

Related Characters: The Scarecrow (speaker), Dorothy, The Wizard of Oz, Glinda
Page Number: 157
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 21: The Lion Becomes the King of the Beasts Quotes

‘It seems gloomy,’ said the Scarecrow.

‘Not a bit of it,’ answered the Lion; ‘I should like to live here all my life. See how soft the dried leaves are under your feet and how rich and green the moss is that clings to these old trees. Surely no wild beast could wish a pleasanter home.’

Related Characters: The Scarecrow (speaker), The Cowardly Lion (speaker), Dorothy, The Tin Woodman
Page Number: 172-173
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 23: Glinda Grants Dorothy’s Wish Quotes

‘Your Silver Shoes will carry you over the desert,’ replied Glinda. ‘If you had known their power you could have gone back to your Aunt Em the very first day you came to this country.’

Related Characters: Glinda (speaker), Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Tin Woodman, The Cowardly Lion, Aunt Em
Related Symbols: Dorothy’s Silver Slippers
Page Number: 185
Explanation and Analysis:

She threw her arms around the Lion’s neck and kissed him, patting his big head tenderly. Then she kissed the Tin Woodman, who was weeping in a way most dangerous to his joints. But she hugged the soft, stuffed body of the Scarecrow instead of kissing his painted face, and found she was crying herself at this sorrowful parting from her loving comrades.

Related Characters: Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Tin Woodman, The Cowardly Lion
Related Symbols: Dorothy’s Silver Slippers
Page Number: 187
Explanation and Analysis: