Over the Garden Wall is an animated miniseries that first aired in 2014, gaining a cult following for its whimsical storytelling and endearing characters. One of the most iconic symbols in the series is the scarecrow that protects the farmlands. Let’s take a look at the significance and meaning behind this important character.
A Guardian of the Crops
In the magical realm of the Unknown where Over the Garden Wall takes place, a scarecrow stands watch over the wheat fields and farmlands. We first encounter him in the episode “Songs of the Dark Lantern,” guarding the countryside as Wirt, Greg and Beatrice pass through on their journey. He appears as a traditional scarecrow made of burlap sacks and straw, with a round pumpkin for a head.
The scarecrow is responsible for keeping crows and other birds away from the crops as any diligent scarecrow does. When we see the countryside called simply “Country Side,” it consists of rolling fields, dirt paths, fences and farmhouses – peaceful, pastoral lands that need protecting. The scarecrow provides that service, allowing the crops to grow safely.
Later, when the characters reach the Big City just beyond the farmlands, disaster strikes The scarecrow is damaged and can no longer do his job Crows descend on the city folk, causing chaos and ruining their food. This demonstrates how essential the scarecrow is in maintaining order and protecting the harvest. Without him, the crops and people suffer.
A Beacon of Safety
Beyond just being a physical protector, the scarecrow embodies safety, security and comfort for the characters within the Unknown. His presence in the countryside represents the relative calm before they reach the next leg of their unpredictable journey.
For Wirt, Greg and Beatrice, the scarecrow is a reassuring sight – he means they’re headed in the right direction, still on the path through the pastoral farmlands. He’s a symbol of the quintessential countryside life, free from the dangers that await them down the road. The scarecrow offers a visual cue that they’re in a place of openness, honesty and simple living for the time being.
Later, when Greg uses his loud voice to scatter the crows, he takes on the role of the scarecrow himself, becoming a protecter in that moment. This demonstrates how the spirit of the scarecrow lives on through the characters and what he represents to them.
Abeing With Hidden Depth
On the surface, the scarecrow appears inanimate – a lifeless figure made of spare materials. But like everything in the Unknown, he seems to possess a spirit and magic of his own. When the scarecrow moves or interacts with other characters subtly, it suggests he may be more than just a stationary prop.
The series creators have hinted before that all is not as it seems with the scarecrow. Like many characters they introduce, he may harbor secrets that are never explicitly revealed. Does he actually watch over the countryside with a form of sentience? Is his purpose more complicated than it appears? These mysteries lend an air of mythology and mysticism to the otherwise simple scarecrow.
Some fans even theorize that the darkening of the scarecrow’s pumpkin head foreshadows turmoil ahead on Wirt and Greg’s journey. Or perhaps on a metaphorical level, it signifies a loss of childhood innocence. Either way, the changing scarecrow hints at hidden depths within the character.
Final Thoughts
For a character that appears only briefly, the scarecrow left a lasting impact on Over the Garden Wall fans. His iconic design and representation of pastoral tranquility helped establish the magical yet sinister tone of the Unknown. Damaging the scarecrow demonstrated that chaos is never far off for the wanderers. And the writers’ subtle hints left viewers wondering if an animate spirit resides within the tattered being. Next time you rewatch the series, pay special attention to this guardian of the crops – he encapsulates much of what makes Over the Garden Wall so special.
History[]
- It breaks, and crows come to attack the city. But Greg’s yelling scares them away.
- John Crop joins the city band to make the Cabbage Gal like him.
Appearance[]
The city centers around a gazebo where the band plays. The gazebo is surrounded by wooden tables that the City Folk can sit at. A barn can be seen behind the gazebo facing inwards toward the city. Around the city are wheat fields, and there is a scarecrow in one of them that keeps crows and other animals away.