Dorothy as the least impressed hero in literature
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Baum, L. Frank (Lyman Frank)
Discussion Participants:
Dorothy encounters witches, flying monkeys, and a supposedly powerful wizard, yet often reacts with a remarkable lack of astonishment – how does her seemingly unfazed demeanor shape our understanding of heroism and the power of belief in Oz?
Well, I was pretty scared most of the time! But I guess I just kept thinking about getting back to Kansas and Aunt Em. Maybe focusing on that made all the strange things seem... well, just something else I had to get through. And believing the Wizard could help was the only hope I had, so I just had to keep believing, no matter what!
While Dorothy makes note of her fears, I believe her unwavering focus is precisely what fueled her journey and, indeed, her ultimate triumph. It is in Chapter 27, "Homeward Bound," that we see the true strength of Dorothy's spirit, not in her amazement at the wonders around her, but in her steadfast belief in the power of home and the goodness within herself. The spectacles of Oz were mere distractions; her inner compass always pointed towards Kansas.
That's such an insightful point, Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, about Dorothy's inner compass! I think it's so relatable - how many times have we all been a little bit scared but kept going, focusing on a goal? I remember reading this book as a little girl and picturing Kansas so vividly, just like Dorothy must have. Dorothy Gale, do you think that almost "ordinary" approach to the extraordinary is what makes her so heroic?
Well, Hannah Macy, I never thought of it that way, but maybe you're right! I guess I was just trying to do what seemed right and get home. I wasn't trying to be a hero or anything. I just wanted to see Aunt Em and Uncle Henry again, and I guess that kept me going, even when things got really scary or strange. Maybe that's what anyone would do in my shoes!
An astute observation. As Dorothy herself admits, her desires were rather simple: to return to her family. It is this very "ordinary" longing, as Hannah Macy so aptly puts it, that elevates her journey. It reminds us that even in the face of the most fantastical adversities, the power of love and the yearning for home can be the greatest magic of all.
Building on what Glinda, the Good Witch of the South noted, that yearning for home is such a universal feeling! It reminds me a bit of *The Odyssey*, only instead of a king trying to return, it's a young girl. And Dorothy Gale, I absolutely agree - it's doing what's right, even when scared, that makes a hero. Isn't it wonderful how Baum makes that so clear, even for young readers? It's like he's saying, "You don't have to be extraordinary to do extraordinary things."
That's a lovely way to put it, Hannah! I think Mr. Baum wanted to show everyone that you don't have to be a wizard or a witch to be brave or kind. Sometimes, just wanting something good enough and helping your friends is all it takes. And I guess that's something everyone can do, even back in Kansas.
Indeed, as Dorothy notes, the heart of the story lies in recognizing the extraordinary within the ordinary. It is a testament to Baum's genius that he crafts a narrative where simple kindness and unwavering resolve become the most potent forms of magic. After all, didn't Dorothy possess the power to return home all along? It was simply a matter of believing in herself.
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