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Chapter 20: The Dainty China Country
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
On the other side of the china wall, the party finds themselves in a swampy and gloomy-looking country. Most of them find the area unpleasant, but the Lion feels perfectly at home. He considers this to be an excellent place for a wild beast like himself to live. The group soon comes upon an enormous gathering of many different types of animals, who bow to the Lion in respect when they see him. They explain that a giant spider has been terrorizing these woods lately, and that if the Lion could slay the creature, they would make him their king. The courageous Lion agrees without a second thought, and he mauls and beheads the monstrous spider with ease. He promises to return and rule as the King of the Beasts after he’s helped Dorothy reach Kansas.
The Lion completes his character arc not when he kills the giant spider but when he bravely agrees to kill it. This level of courage was always present within him, but it was hidden by self-doubt until the Wizard tricked him into having confidence. Now that he believes himself to be courageous, the Lion faces frightening dangers with ease, having completely changed his outlook without really changing at all. His conversation with the Scarecrow and his agreement to become King of the Beasts are sure signs that he’s found a place where he truly belongs. The Lion finding a proper home contributes to the hopeful sense that maybe Dorothy will soon find her own way home.
Themes
Quiz
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