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
The travelers slept by the river the previous night, as the Tin Woodman needed time to work on the raft. All of them are cheered to see beautiful and sunny meadows on the other side of the river—a welcome break from the dark forest. They set out on the raft as soon as it’s completed, but the rushing river pulls them away from the yellow brick road and towards the west. The long poles they’re using as oars no longer seem to touch the bottom of the river, but the Scarecrow is determined not to let them drift off course. He plants his pole so deeply in the bottom of the river that it gets stuck, and he clings desperately to the pole as the raft speeds away from him. The Scarecrow is now trapped in the middle of the rushing water.
It becomes easy for self-doubt and despair to consume the Scarecrow as he accidentally traps himself in the river. As he finds himself alone and stuck on a pole once more, he might assume that this is the only fate that’s meant for him.
Themes
The rest of the party is sorry to leave the Scarecrow behind. Eventually, the Lion manages to swim through the rushing river and drag the raft to shore behind him as the Tin Woodman holds onto his tail. When they’re safely on land again, they make their way back towards the yellow brick road, walking by the river bank. They eventually reach the part of the river where the Scarecrow remains trapped, clinging to the pole. They wonder how they can possibly save him, and eventually a friendly stork offers to help them. The stork easily carries the Scarecrow to the river bank, as he’s full of light straw, and everyone is overjoyed to have him back. The stork wishes the group good luck before departing.
The group’s concern for the Scarecrow reveals how close they’ve become in so short a time. While the Scarecrow’s ideas have been useful on their quest so far, the other three don’t just see him as a means to an end. At this point, the Scarecrow isn’t only considered a fellow traveler but also a dear friend. When all four of them are reunited, it’s clearer than ever that the characters are stronger and better off as a team.
Themes
Dorothy admires the colorful flowers all about them in the meadow, but the bright red poppies become more and more common until the group is walking through a massive field of poppies. The scent of this many poppies is enough to make anyone sink into a deep sleep that’s difficult to wake from, and it isn’t long before Dorothy and Toto collapse on the ground, fast asleep. The Lion struggles to stay awake as he hurries through the field, but eventually he succumbs to slumber as well. The poppies don’t affect the Scarecrow or the Tin Woodman, as they aren’t made of flesh. They carry Dorothy and Toto out of the poppies, but they sadly admit that the Lion is too heavy to carry and leave him to his fate.
Once again, the group of friends is torn apart by another dangerous obstacle in their path. These ordeals test the strength of their bond, and they always show concern for those they have to leave behind. Just as the others were sorry to abandon the Scarecrow in the river, the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman hesitate to leave the Lion in the field of poppies. It's clear that their close friendship is mutual at this point, and the group feels weaker and sadder for the loss of one of their companions.
Themes
Literary Devices
