Appearance
Excerpt
Excerpt from The Tin Woodman of Oz, by L. Frank Baum
I know that some of you have been waiting for this story of the Tin
Woodman, because many of my correspondents have asked me, time and
again what ever became of the "pretty Munchkin girl" whom Nick Chopper
was engaged to marry before the Wicked Witch enchanted his axe and he
traded his flesh for tin. I, too, have wondered what became of her, but
until Woot the Wanderer interested himself in the matter the Tin
Woodman knew no more than we did. However, he found her, after many
thrilling adventures, as you will discover when you have read this
story.
I am delighted at the continued interest of both young and old in the
Oz stories. A learned college professor recently wrote me to ask: "For
readers of what age are your books intended?" It puzzled me to answer
that properly, until I had looked over some of the letters I have
received. One says: "I'm a little boy 5 years old, and I Just love your
Oz stories. My sister, who is writing this for me, reads me the Oz
books, but I wish I could read them myself." Another letter says: "I'm
a great girl 13 years old, so you'll be surprised when I tell you I am
not too old yet for the Oz stories." Here's another letter: "Since I
was a young girl I've never missed getting a Baum book for Christmas.
I'm married, now, but am as eager to get and read the Oz stories as
ever." And still another writes: "My good wife and I, both more than 70
years of age, believe that we find more real enjoyment in your Oz books
than in any other books we read." Considering these statements, I wrote
the college professor that my books are intended for all those whose
hearts are young, no matter what their ages may be.
I think I am justified in promising that there will be some astonishing
revelations about The Magic of Oz in my book for 1919. Always your
loving and grateful friend,
Explanation
This excerpt is the preface to The Tin Woodman of Oz (1918), the 12th book in L. Frank Baum’s beloved Oz series. Written in Baum’s characteristic conversational and warm tone, the passage serves multiple purposes: it teases the upcoming story, engages directly with readers, and defends the universal appeal of fairy tales. Below is a detailed breakdown of the text, focusing on its content, themes, literary devices, and significance—primarily through close reading.
1. Context and Purpose
Baum’s Oz series (1900–1920) was a cultural phenomenon, bridging children’s literature and adult nostalgia. By 1918, Baum had written 11 Oz books and faced pressure to continue the saga. This preface acts as:
- A marketing tool: Baum hooks readers by addressing a long-standing mystery (the fate of the Munchkin girl from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz).
- A defense of fantasy: He counters critics who dismissed fairy tales as childish by showcasing their cross-generational appeal.
- A personal connection: Baum’s direct address fosters intimacy, making readers feel like collaborators in the story’s creation.
2. Themes
A. The Power of Storytelling and Reader Engagement
Baum frames the book as a response to reader demand, emphasizing that the story exists because fans wanted it. This:
- Democratizes narrative authority: The tale isn’t just Baum’s; it belongs to the audience who "wondered" alongside him.
- Creates suspense: The phrase "as you will discover when you have read this story" turns reading into an active quest.
B. Timelessness and Universal Appeal
The core argument is that Oz transcends age. Baum uses anecdotal evidence (letters from readers aged 5 to 70+) to prove that:
- Imagination isn’t age-bound: The books resonate with those whose "hearts are young," not just the young in years.
- Fairy tales offer escapism for all: The married woman who still waits for Oz books at Christmas suggests these stories provide comfort and continuity amid life’s changes.
C. Nostalgia and Legacy
Baum subtly secures the series’ future by:
- Teasing the next book (The Magic of Oz, 1919) with "astonishing revelations," ensuring readers return.
- Positioning Oz as a tradition: The 70-year-old couple’s letter implies the stories are heirlooms, passed down like folklore.
3. Literary Devices
A. Direct Address and Conversational Tone
- Second-person pronouns ("you", "your") make the preface feel like a personal letter.
- Example: "I know that some of you have been waiting..."
- Effect: Breaks the "fourth wall," making the reader a participant.
- Rhetorical questions: "For readers of what age are your books intended?" invites the audience to reflect on their own relationship with the stories.
B. Anecdote as Persuasion
Baum curates letters to build his case, using:
- Juxtaposition: A 5-year-old and a 70-year-old are placed side by side to show universal delight.
- Pathos: The 13-year-old girl’s plea ("I am not too old yet") evokes sympathy for the fear of outgrowing wonder.
C. Foreshadowing and Suspense
- Unanswered questions: The fate of the Munchkin girl is dangled as a mystery ("he found her, after many thrilling adventures").
- Vague promises: "Astonishing revelations" about The Magic of Oz creates anticipation without spoilers.
D. Metaphor and Symbolism
- "Hearts are young": Baum redefines youth as a state of mind, not biology. This aligns with Oz’s themes of transformation (e.g., the Tin Woodman’s literal heart).
- The enchanted axe: A symbol of disrupted love (Nick Chopper’s lost humanity), which the preface suggests will be resolved.
4. Significance of the Passage
A. Baum’s Philosophy of Fairy Tales
This preface is a manifesto for Baum’s belief that:
- Fantasy is for everyone. He rejects the Victorian idea that fairy tales are only for children.
- Stories are collaborative. By citing reader letters, he argues that audience investment shapes literature.
B. Cultural Impact
- Early fandom culture: Baum’s engagement with readers (via letters) foreshadows modern fan-driven storytelling (e.g., petitions for sequels, crowd-sourced plots).
- Defense of "low" literature: At a time when fairy tales were often dismissed as frivolous, Baum elevates them by proving their emotional depth across ages.
C. Narrative Function
- Sets up the Tin Woodman’s arc: The preface reminds readers of his tragic backstory (losing his love to magic), making the upcoming reunion more poignant.
- Justifies the book’s existence: By framing it as a reader-demanded resolution, Baum gives the story a sense of inevitability.
5. Close Reading of Key Lines
"I, too, have wondered what became of her..."
- Baum aligns himself with the readers, creating camaraderie. The shared curiosity makes the eventual reveal feel like a shared victory.
"Considering these statements, I wrote the college professor that my books are intended for all those whose hearts are young..."
- The shift from "age" to "hearts" is deliberate. Baum argues that wonder is a choice, not a phase.
"Always your loving and grateful friend,"
- The sign-off reinforces Baum’s personal brand—he’s not just an author but a friendly storyteller, deepening reader loyalty.
6. Connection to the Larger Oz Series
- Continuity: The preface ties back to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900), where the Tin Woodman’s origin is first told. This serialized storytelling was innovative for its time.
- Theme of redemption: The Tin Woodman’s quest to find his lost love mirrors Baum’s redemption of fairy tales—both are about restoring what was lost.
- Meta-commentary: Just as Oz is a land where anything is possible, Baum’s preface suggests that stories can be for anyone.
Conclusion: Why This Preface Matters
This excerpt is more than an introduction—it’s a bridge between Baum and his readers, a defense of fantasy, and a promise of magic. By blending marketing savvy, emotional appeal, and literary philosophy, Baum ensures that The Tin Woodman of Oz feels necessary—not just another sequel, but a story the world asked for. His insistence that Oz is for the "young at heart" remains a timeless argument for the power of imagination, one that resonates just as strongly today.
In essence, the preface does what all great Oz stories do: it invites you in, makes you believe in the impossible, and leaves you eager to turn the page.