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Chapter 12: The Search for the Wicked Witch
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Wizard of Oz, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Self-Doubt vs. Self-Confidence
Home and Belonging
Good vs. Evil
Friendship
Summary
Analysis
After putting the silver slipper back on, Dorothy tells the Lion and the Winkies that the Wicked Witch of the West no longer enslaves them. They all rejoice, and the Winkies make the day into a holiday from then on. However, Dorothy and the Lion’s happiness is dampened by the absence of their missing friends, and the Winkies agree to rescue the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman from their fates. Both of them are recovered and repaired, and the four companions are overjoyed to be together again. After a few more happy days in the castle, they resolve to leave for the Emerald City. The Winkies give golden gifts to the travelers, begging the Tin Woodman to stay and rule over them. But the four friends are determined to have their wishes granted at last, and they depart for the Emerald City.
After enduring their darkest hour, the four friends reunite with their dangerous conflict finally resolved. In addition, their temporary but terrible loss of one another seemed to have strengthened their friendship. Just as Dorothy and the Lion’s bond helped them endure their enslavement by the wicked witch, seeing one another again emboldens the four reunited friends. Additionally, with the defeat of the Witch of the West, the group has returned the Winkies’ home to its proper state of freedom. The Winkies’ request to the Tin Woodman suggests that maybe this newly liberated country could be where the Woodman ultimately belongs.
Themes
Literary Devices
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