Tin Woodman and Winkies

The Tin Woodman's relationship with the Winkies begins in the aftermath of the Wicked Witch of the West's defeat. After Dorothy melts the Witch with a bucket of water, she and the Cowardly Lion free the Winkies from bondage, telling them they are no longer slaves. The Winkies, who had been made to work hard for many years under the Witch's cruel rule, celebrate with great rejoicing, keeping that day as a holiday ever after, spent in feasting and dancing. This liberation immediately establishes a bond of gratitude between the Winkies and Dorothy's party, especially the Tin Woodman, who had been instrumental in their freedom.

The Winkies' Offer of Kingship

When Dorothy and her companions decide to return to the Emerald City to claim Oz's promises, the Winkies are sorry to see them go. They have grown so fond of the Tin Woodman that they beg him to stay and rule over them and the Yellow Land of the West. This request is a direct and earnest appeal, showing the Winkies' deep respect and affection for him. To honor the departing travelers, the Winkies present them with gifts: golden collars for Toto and the Lion, a diamond-studded bracelet for Dorothy, a gold-headed walking stick for the Scarecrow, and for the Tin Woodman, a silver oil-can inlaid with gold and set with precious jewels. The Tin Woodman, along with the others, makes a pretty speech in return, and they all shake hands until their arms ache, a gesture of mutual warmth and farewell.

The Tin Woodman's Decision to Return

Later, when the travelers seek Glinda's help to return Dorothy to Kansas, the Good Witch asks the Tin Woodman what will become of him after Dorothy leaves. He leans on his axe and thinks for a moment, then replies that the Winkies were very kind to him and wanted him to rule over them after the Wicked Witch died. He confesses he is fond of the Winkies, and if he could get back to the Country of the West, he would like nothing better than to rule over them forever. Glinda, recognizing his worth, promises to command the Winged Monkeys to carry him safely to the land of the Winkies, noting that while his brain may not be as large to look at as the Scarecrow's, he is really brighter when well polished, and she is sure he will rule the Winkies wisely and well. This endorsement from the most powerful Good Witch solidifies the Tin Woodman's destiny as their ruler.

The Nature of the Winkies' Former Bondage

The Winkies' history under the Wicked Witch of the West is one of harsh enslavement. The Witch had used the charm of the Golden Cap to command the Winged Monkeys to help her make the Winkies her slaves and set herself to rule over their country. This was the first of her three uses of the Cap's power. The Winkies were not a brave people, but they were forced to obey her commands, even being sent with sharp spears to attack Dorothy and her friends, though they were quickly frightened away by the Lion's roar. When they returned to the castle, the Witch beat them with a strap and sent them back to their work. This context of cruelty makes the Tin Woodman's kind and just rule a stark and welcome contrast.

The Tin Woodman's Character and the Winkies' Future

The Tin Woodman's inherent kindness, even before he received his silk-and-sawdust heart, made him a natural leader for the Winkies. He was always careful not to hurt any living creature, weeping when he accidentally stepped on a beetle, and he took great care never to be cruel or unkind. This gentle nature, combined with his strength and his axe, which was repaired with a solid gold handle by a Winkie goldsmith, makes him a figure of both protection and benevolence. The Winkies, having suffered under a tyrannical witch, find in the Tin Woodman a ruler who embodies the opposite of their former oppression. His rule promises a future of freedom, kindness, and wise governance, a fitting conclusion to his own quest for a heart, as he finds a kingdom where his newfound capacity for love can be fully expressed.