The Tin Woodman's Quest for a Heart

The Tin Woodman, once a loving human, seeks a heart from the Wizard to regain his capacity for love and emotion.

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Rusted in the Forest

The Tin Woodman's Predicament A Groan in the Woods Dorothy and the Scarecrow hear a groan while searching for water. They find a man made entirely of tin, standing with an axe raised, rusted solid. He has been there for a year. The Story of His Loss He explains that he was once a woodchopper who loved a Munchkin girl. The Wicked Witch of the East enchanted his axe, causing him to lose his limbs one by one, each replaced with tin. Eventually, he lost his body and was made entirely of tin, but without a heart. He lost all love for the girl and now wants a heart. Joining the Party Dorothy oils his joints, and he is freed. He asks to join them to seek a heart from Oz. The Scarecrow and Dorothy welcome him. He is a gentle, polite creature, careful not to hurt anything.

The Woodman's Kindness

A Heart Without a Heart Careful Steps Despite lacking a heart, the Tin Woodman is extraordinarily kind. He accidentally steps on a beetle and cries, which rusts his jaws. He learns to be careful and steps over ants. He says that people with hearts have something to guide them, but he must be careful. The Poppy Field When the poppy field makes Dorothy and the Lion fall asleep, the Tin Woodman and the Scarecrow carry Dorothy to safety. They cannot carry the Lion, but they save the girl. The Woodman is sad to leave the Lion but knows he must. The Rescue of the Queen of the Field Mice The Woodman kills a wildcat that is chasing a field mouse. The mouse turns out to be the Queen of the Field Mice. The Queen promises that her subjects will serve him. This kindness leads to the mice helping to rescue the Lion from the poppy field.

The Audience with Oz

The Terrible Beast An Unexpected Form When the Tin Woodman enters the Throne Room, he sees a terrible Beast with five eyes, five arms, and five legs. The Beast claims to be Oz. The Woodman is not afraid because he has no heart. The Demand Oz roars that he will give the Woodman a heart if he helps kill the Wicked Witch of the West. The Woodman agrees. He is determined to earn a heart, even if it means facing danger. The Promise Oz says he will give the biggest, kindest, and most loving heart in all the land. The Woodman leaves with hope, though he faces a difficult task.

Dented and Broken

The Fall from the Sky The Monkeys' Attack The Winged Monkeys seize the Tin Woodman and carry him over a country of sharp rocks. They drop him from a great height. He falls onto the rocks, becoming battered and dented. He cannot move or groan. A Lifeless Statue He lies on the rocks, his axe nearby, broken and rusted. He is no longer a walking, talking being. His parts are bent and twisted. He seems to be destroyed. The Hope of Repair Despite his condition, the Tin Woodman is still in one piece. He can be repaired if someone can straighten and solder him. This possibility keeps the hope alive.

Restored by the Winkies

The Tinsmiths' Work The Rescue After the Witch is melted, Dorothy and the Winkies find the Tin Woodman on the rocky plain. They carry him back to the castle. Dorothy asks if there are tinsmiths among the Winkies. They say yes. Three Days of Repair Tinsmiths work for three days and four nights, hammering, soldering, and polishing. They straighten his limbs, fix his joints, and patch his body. When he is finished, he is as good as new, though covered in patches. The Joy of Reunion The Tin Woodman walks into Dorothy's room and thanks her. He weeps tears of joy, and Dorothy wipes them away so he won't rust. He is overjoyed to be whole again and to have his friends.

Receiving the Heart

The Silk Heart The Humbug's Gift Oz, now revealed as a humbug, offers to give the Tin Woodman a heart. He cuts a square hole in the Woodman's chest and inserts a pretty heart made of silk and stuffed with sawdust. He solders the tin back. The Feeling of Love The Woodman feels the heart rattling in his breast. He is overjoyed. He says it is a kind heart. Oz apologizes for the patch, but the Woodman does not care. The True Heart Oz tells him that hearts are often unhappy, but the Woodman insists he wants one. He leaves with a new sense of love and gratitude. His kindness was already there, but now he has a symbol of it.

Ruler of the Winkies

The King of the West The Winkies' Request When Dorothy is ready to leave, the Tin Woodman decides to return to the land of the Winkies. The Winkies had asked him to rule over them after the Witch died. He is fond of them. Glinda's Promise Glinda uses the Golden Cap to command the Winged Monkeys to carry the Tin Woodman safely to the Winkie Country. He will rule there forever. A Happy Ending The Tin Woodman becomes a wise and kind ruler. He has his heart, his friends, and a kingdom. His journey from a rusted tin man to a beloved king is complete.

Early in the journey

During the journey

At the Emerald City

During the Winged Monkeys' attack

After the Witch's death

After the discovery of Oz

After Glinda's help