Wogglebug
From Oz Wiki
| Species | Wogglebug |
| Place of origin | |
| Current residence | College of Art and Athletic Perfection |
| Title | Professor |
| First appearance | The Marvelous Land of Oz |
Professor H.M. Wogglebug, T.E. is a Highly Magnified and Thoroughly Educated Wogglebug who lives in the Land of Oz.
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Description
Professor Wogglebug is a normal wogglebug who was magnified to a size several thousand times larger than normal; he stands fully as tall as a man. He has a great, round body with slender arms and legs, delicate feet, and toes that curl upward. His body is rather flat, the back being a glistening dark brown, and the front striped with bands of light brown and white. He has a long neck, and his head is much like man's except that his ears and nose end in curling antennae. His black eyes are rather bulging, but his face is by no means unpleasant.
He wears a dark blue swallow-tail coat with a yellow silk lining and a flower in the button-hole. His white duck vest stretches tightly across his body. His knickerbockers are of fawn colored plush and fasten at the knees with gilt buckles. On his head he wears a tall, silk hat.
Being thoroughly educated, the Wogglebug uses a great many long words when he speaks. He also enjoys puns, considering them eminently proper among eduated people.
History
The Wogglebug was once a regular bookworm, who lived in a schoolhouse for three years where he would listen in on the lessons of the teacher, Professor Nowitall. One day the professor caught him crawling across the hearth, and decided to use him for an impromptu lesson on wogglebugs. His magnified image was projected on the wall and, taking advantage of a sudden distraction, he escaped, remaining in that magnified condition.
During his early travels, the Wogglebug saved the ninth life of a tailor. In gratitude he furnished the giant insect with his stylish costume. The Wogglebug met up with the Scarecrow and his companions, and joined them in trying to overthrow the Army of Revolt that had conquered the Emerald City. When Princess Ozma was discovered and restored to her rightful place as ruler of Oz, the Wogglebug was appointed to the post of Public Educator and became an important advisor to the Princess. (The Marvelous Land of Oz)
As "Professor Wogglebug", he runs the College of Art and Athletic Perfection in the southwestern part of Munchkin Country. The students at the College take school pills that give a student knowledge without having to attend lessons, so that the student's time can be applied to Athletic pursuits.
The Wogglebug is also an accomplished composer and poet. He composed "Shining Emperor Waltz" in honor of the Tin Woodman. For Ozma's birthday he wrote "Ode to Ozma" and read it at her birthday banquet. It was written in very good rhythm and was well received by those in attendance. (The Road to Oz)
Background
Baum originated the term "wogglebug" on Coronado Beach in California, when a little girl picked up a sand crab and asked what it was. The term popped into his head. Maud Baum liked it, and advised her husband to include it in his current Oz book, then about one-third written.[1]
Book appearances
- The Marvelous Land of Oz (first appearance)
- Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz
- The Road to Oz
- The Emerald City of Oz
- The Royal Book of Oz
Professor Wogglebug also appeared in the non-canonical The Woggle-Bug Book in which he left Oz and spent some time in America.
References
- ↑ Katharine M. Rogers, L. Frank Baum, Creator of Oz: A Biography, New York, St. Martin's Press, 2002; p, 123.
