Question
Little Dorothy and Toto
by L. Frank Baum
This passage tells the story of Dorothy and her dog, Toto, in the magical land of Oz. Dorothy and Toto encounter a tiny person who operates a ferry, which is a type of boat.
As you read, pay attention to who is telling the story.
Dorothy was a little Kansas girl who once accidentally found the beautiful Land of Oz and was invited to live there always. Toto was Dorothy’s small black dog, with fuzzy, curly hair and bright black eyes. Together, when they tired of the grandeur of the Emerald City of Oz, they would wander out into the country and all through the land, peering into bizarre nooks and corners and having a good time in their own simple way. There was a little Wizard living in Oz who was a faithful friend of Dorothy and did not approve of her traveling alone in this way, but the girl always laughed at the little man’s fears for her and said she was not afraid of anything that might happen.
One day while on such a journey, Dorothy and Toto found themselves among the wild wooded hills at the southeast of Oz—a place usually avoided by travelers because so many magical things abounded there. And, as they entered a forest path, the little girl noticed a sign tacked to a tree, which said: “Look out for Crinklink.”
Toto could not talk, as many of the animals of Oz can, for he was just a common Kansas dog; but he looked at the sign so seriously that Dorothy almost believed he could read it, and she knew quite well that Toto understood every word she said to him.
“Never mind Crinklink,” said she. “I don’t believe anything in Oz will try to hurt us, Toto, and if I get into trouble you must take care of me.”
“Bow-wow!” said Toto, and Dorothy knew that meant a promise.
The path was narrow and wound here and there between the trees, but they could not lose their way, because thick vines and creepers shut them in on both sides. They had walked a long time when, suddenly turning a curve of the pathway, they came upon a lake of black water, so big and so deep that they were forced to stop.
“Well, Toto,” said Dorothy, looking at the lake, “we must turn back, I guess, for there is neither a bridge nor a boat to take us across the black water.”
“Here’s the ferryman, though,” cried a tiny voice beside them, and the girl gave a start and looked down at her feet, where a man no taller than three inches sat at the edge of the path with his legs dangling over the lake.
“Oh!” said Dorothy; “I didn’t see you before.”
Toto growled fiercely and made his ears stand up straight, but the little man did not seem in the least afraid of the dog. He merely repeated: “I’m the ferryman, and it’s my business to carry people across the lake.”
___
How does the narrator’s perspective influence the story?
The first-person narrator describes Dorothy as smart and cunning, so the reader believes she will be safe when wandering alone through Oz.
The third-person omniscient narrator describes the dangerous nature of a Crinklink, which makes the story’s mood suspenseful.
The third-person omniscient narrator explains what the characters think about wandering alone through Oz, which makes the story’s mood suspenseful.
The third-person limited narrator focuses on the Crinklink throughout the story, so the reader has a detailed look into its motivations, thoughts, and feelings.
by L. Frank Baum
This passage tells the story of Dorothy and her dog, Toto, in the magical land of Oz. Dorothy and Toto encounter a tiny person who operates a ferry, which is a type of boat.
As you read, pay attention to who is telling the story.
Dorothy was a little Kansas girl who once accidentally found the beautiful Land of Oz and was invited to live there always. Toto was Dorothy’s small black dog, with fuzzy, curly hair and bright black eyes. Together, when they tired of the grandeur of the Emerald City of Oz, they would wander out into the country and all through the land, peering into bizarre nooks and corners and having a good time in their own simple way. There was a little Wizard living in Oz who was a faithful friend of Dorothy and did not approve of her traveling alone in this way, but the girl always laughed at the little man’s fears for her and said she was not afraid of anything that might happen.
One day while on such a journey, Dorothy and Toto found themselves among the wild wooded hills at the southeast of Oz—a place usually avoided by travelers because so many magical things abounded there. And, as they entered a forest path, the little girl noticed a sign tacked to a tree, which said: “Look out for Crinklink.”
Toto could not talk, as many of the animals of Oz can, for he was just a common Kansas dog; but he looked at the sign so seriously that Dorothy almost believed he could read it, and she knew quite well that Toto understood every word she said to him.
“Never mind Crinklink,” said she. “I don’t believe anything in Oz will try to hurt us, Toto, and if I get into trouble you must take care of me.”
“Bow-wow!” said Toto, and Dorothy knew that meant a promise.
The path was narrow and wound here and there between the trees, but they could not lose their way, because thick vines and creepers shut them in on both sides. They had walked a long time when, suddenly turning a curve of the pathway, they came upon a lake of black water, so big and so deep that they were forced to stop.
“Well, Toto,” said Dorothy, looking at the lake, “we must turn back, I guess, for there is neither a bridge nor a boat to take us across the black water.”
“Here’s the ferryman, though,” cried a tiny voice beside them, and the girl gave a start and looked down at her feet, where a man no taller than three inches sat at the edge of the path with his legs dangling over the lake.
“Oh!” said Dorothy; “I didn’t see you before.”
Toto growled fiercely and made his ears stand up straight, but the little man did not seem in the least afraid of the dog. He merely repeated: “I’m the ferryman, and it’s my business to carry people across the lake.”
___
How does the narrator’s perspective influence the story?
The first-person narrator describes Dorothy as smart and cunning, so the reader believes she will be safe when wandering alone through Oz.
The third-person omniscient narrator describes the dangerous nature of a Crinklink, which makes the story’s mood suspenseful.
The third-person omniscient narrator explains what the characters think about wandering alone through Oz, which makes the story’s mood suspenseful.
The third-person limited narrator focuses on the Crinklink throughout the story, so the reader has a detailed look into its motivations, thoughts, and feelings.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The correct answer is:
**The third-person omniscient narrator describes the dangerous nature of a Crinklink, which makes the story’s mood suspenseful.**
This choice best captures how the narrative perspective influences the story. The omniscient narrator gives readers insight into both the setting and the potential dangers that exist within it, adding an element of suspense to Dorothy's adventure in Oz. By revealing the existence of Crinklink, the narrator heightens the tension and uncertainty that accompanies Dorothy and Toto's experiences in the enchanted yet perilous land.
**The third-person omniscient narrator describes the dangerous nature of a Crinklink, which makes the story’s mood suspenseful.**
This choice best captures how the narrative perspective influences the story. The omniscient narrator gives readers insight into both the setting and the potential dangers that exist within it, adding an element of suspense to Dorothy's adventure in Oz. By revealing the existence of Crinklink, the narrator heightens the tension and uncertainty that accompanies Dorothy and Toto's experiences in the enchanted yet perilous land.