Dorothy and Toto

Dorothy and Toto share a bond that is both the emotional heart of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the narrative thread that ties Dorothy's extraordinary journey to her ordinary life. Toto, a little black dog with long silky hair and small black eyes that twinkle merrily, is the only source of laughter in Dorothy's gray Kansas existence, saving her from growing as somber as her surroundings. Their relationship is defined by mutual protection, unwavering loyalty, and a shared longing for home that ultimately shapes the entire adventure.

Identity and Introduction

Dorothy, an orphan living with Uncle Henry and Aunt Em on the gray Kansas prairie, finds her only joy in Toto. The text explicitly states that "it was Toto that made Dorothy laugh, and saved her from growing as gray as her other surroundings." Unlike the sun-baked, colorless landscape and the solemn, unsmiling adults around her, Toto is vibrant and playful, playing all day long with Dorothy, who loves him dearly. This initial portrait establishes Toto not merely as a pet but as an essential emotional counterweight to the bleakness of Dorothy's life.

The Cyclone and the Journey Begins

When the cyclone strikes, Dorothy's first instinct is to protect Toto. As Aunt Em screams for Dorothy to run for the cyclone cellar, Toto jumps out of Dorothy's arms and hides under the bed. Instead of fleeing to safety, Dorothy stops to catch him. This delay causes her to be caught in the house as it is swept into the sky. During the terrifying ride, Toto runs about barking loudly, and when he falls through the open trap door, Dorothy, fearing she has lost him, creeps to the hole, catches him by the ear, and drags him back into the room, afterward closing the trap door to prevent further accidents. This sequence establishes the pattern of their relationship: Dorothy's willingness to risk her own safety for Toto's, and Toto's dependence on her.

Companionship and Protection in Oz

Throughout their adventures in Oz, Toto remains Dorothy's constant companion. When Dorothy first meets the Scarecrow, Toto is initially unfriendly, smelling around the stuffed man as if suspecting a nest of rats, and growling at him. Dorothy reassures the Scarecrow, "Don't mind Toto. He never bites." Later, when the Cowardly Lion joins the party, Toto is initially wary, remembering how nearly he had been crushed between the Lion's great jaws, but eventually the two become good friends. Toto's reactions to new companions serve as a barometer of trust, and Dorothy consistently mediates these relationships, ensuring Toto's safety and acceptance.

Captivity and Shared Suffering

The most intense test of Dorothy and Toto's bond comes during their captivity in the Castle of the Wicked Witch of the West. When the Winged Monkeys capture Dorothy, they dare not harm her because of the mark of the Good Witch's kiss on her forehead, and they carry her gently to the castle. Once there, the Wicked Witch forces Dorothy to work hard in the kitchen, cleaning pots and sweeping floors. Dorothy's life becomes very sad, and she often cries bitterly for hours, with Toto sitting at her feet and looking into her face, whining dismally to show how sorry he is for his little mistress. The text notes that Toto does not really care whether he is in Kansas or the Land of Oz so long as Dorothy is with him, but he knows the little girl is unhappy, and that makes him unhappy too. This shared suffering deepens their bond, making Toto not just a pet but an empathetic partner in distress.

The Climax and Return Home

Dorothy's protective instinct for Toto is most dramatically displayed when the Cowardly Lion first appears. As the Lion opens his mouth to bite Toto, Dorothy, fearing Toto would be killed and heedless of danger, rushes forward and slaps the Lion on his nose as hard as she can, crying out, "Don't you dare to bite Toto! You ought to be ashamed of yourself, a big beast like you, to bite a poor little dog!" This act of fearless defiance, born of her love for Toto, not only saves the dog but also initiates the Lion's confession of cowardice and his eventual joining of the party. At the story's climax, when Oz's balloon is about to launch and carry Dorothy home, she cannot find Toto, who has run into the crowd to bark at a kitten. She delays her escape to search for him, and by the time she finds him and runs back, the ropes have snapped and the balloon rises without her. This moment of loss is immediately transformed when Glinda reveals that the Silver Shoes can carry her home. In the final scene, Dorothy takes Toto up solemnly in her arms, claps the heels of her shoes together, and commands, "Take me home to Aunt Em!" They are instantly transported to the Kansas prairie, where Toto jumps out of her arms and runs toward the barn, barking furiously. The Silver Shoes are lost forever in the desert, but Dorothy and Toto are home, their bond unbroken and their journey complete.