Wizard of Oz - Imortamt Values Present
Important values that are present throughout the Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum are that of friendship and kindness. The story presents these values through the character of Dorothy seen both expressing and receiving kindness. By illustrating these occurrences, this paper will show how it is through the kindness that Dorothy gives and receives, as well as the friendships that result, that she is able to find her way home to Kansas.
Upon entering the Land of Oz, Dorothy receives sympathy from the munchkins and the Witch of the North (Baum 834). They are sympathetic to her sadness upon finding out that instead of returning home to Kansas, she may have no choice but to live with the Witch of the North and the other munchkins. This is seen when Dorothy’s tears “seemed to grieve the kind hearted munchkins,” as they cry alongside her (Baum 834). Meanwhile, while the Witch of the North is unable to accompany Dorothy on her journey, she imprints upon her, a special kiss that will protect her from evil along her journey. When Dorothy meets the Scarecrow, Dorothy takes away the poll that has been sticking in his back and forcing him to remain in the fields (Baum 837. She expresses sympathy to the Scarecrow when he tells her that, “sadly,” he “does not know anything” because he literally has straw for brains (Baum 837). Her sympathy is seen in her response, when she tells the Scarecrow that she is “awfully sorry” for him (Baum 837). Dorothy tells the Scarecrow, upon hearing that he worries about people calling him a fool, that she “understands” how he feels (Baum 837). In addition, she will ask the Wizard of Oz herself to do all he can for the Scarecrow upon his accompaniment on her journey. Dorothy also shows sympathy upon first seeing the Woodman, who is in a predicament at the time. He explains to Dorothy that he has been “groaning for more than a year,” saying that “no one has heard me or come to help me” (Baum 841). Moved by his “sad voice when he spoke,”
Upon entering the Land of Oz, Dorothy receives sympathy from the munchkins and the Witch of the North (Baum 834). They are sympathetic to her sadness upon finding out that instead of returning home to Kansas, she may have no choice but to live with the Witch of the North and the other munchkins. This is seen when Dorothy’s tears “seemed to grieve the kind hearted munchkins,” as they cry alongside her (Baum 834). Meanwhile, while the Witch of the North is unable to accompany Dorothy on her journey, she imprints upon her, a special kiss that will protect her from evil along her journey. When Dorothy meets the Scarecrow, Dorothy takes away the poll that has been sticking in his back and forcing him to remain in the fields (Baum 837. She expresses sympathy to the Scarecrow when he tells her that, “sadly,” he “does not know anything” because he literally has straw for brains (Baum 837). Her sympathy is seen in her response, when she tells the Scarecrow that she is “awfully sorry” for him (Baum 837). Dorothy tells the Scarecrow, upon hearing that he worries about people calling him a fool, that she “understands” how he feels (Baum 837). In addition, she will ask the Wizard of Oz herself to do all he can for the Scarecrow upon his accompaniment on her journey. Dorothy also shows sympathy upon first seeing the Woodman, who is in a predicament at the time. He explains to Dorothy that he has been “groaning for more than a year,” saying that “no one has heard me or come to help me” (Baum 841). Moved by his “sad voice when he spoke,”