Excerpt

Excerpt from The Emerald City of Oz, by L. Frank Baum

When the people of the Emerald City heard that Dorothy had returned to
them every one was eager to see her, for the little girl was a general
favorite in the Land of Oz. From time to time some of the folk from
the great outside world had found their way into this fairyland, but
all except one had been companions of Dorothy and had turned out to be
very agreeable people. The exception I speak of was the wonderful
Wizard of Oz, a sleight-of-hand performer from Omaha who went up in a
balloon and was carried by a current of air to the Emerald City. His
queer and puzzling tricks made the people of Oz believe him a great
wizard for a time, and he ruled over them until Dorothy arrived on her
first visit and showed the Wizard to be a mere humbug. He was a
gentle, kind-hearted little man, and Dorothy grew to like him
afterward. When, after an absence, the Wizard returned to the Land of
Oz, Ozma received him graciously and gave him a home in a part of the
palace.

In addition to the Wizard two other personages from the outside world
had been allowed to make their home in the Emerald City. The first was
a quaint Shaggy Man, whom Ozma had made the Governor of the Royal
Storehouses, and the second a Yellow Hen named Billina, who had a fine
house in the gardens back of the palace, where she looked after a large
family. Both these had been old comrades of Dorothy, so you see the
little girl was quite an important personage in Oz, and the people
thought she had brought them good luck, and loved her next best to
Ozma. During her several visits this little girl had been the means of
destroying two wicked witches who oppressed the people, and she had
discovered a live scarecrow who was now one of the most popular
personages in all the fairy country. With the Scarecrow's help she had
rescued Nick Chopper, a Tin Woodman, who had rusted in a lonely forest,
and the tin man was now the Emperor of the Country of the Winkies and
much beloved because of his kind heart. No wonder the people thought
Dorothy had brought them good luck! Yet, strange as it may seem, she
had accomplished all these wonders not because she was a fairy or had
any magical powers whatever, but because she was a simple, sweet and
true little girl who was honest to herself and to all whom she met. In
this world in which we live simplicity and kindness are the only magic
wands that work wonders, and in the Land of Oz Dorothy found these same
qualities had won for her the love and admiration of the people.
Indeed, the little girl had made many warm friends in the fairy
country, and the only real grief the Ozites had ever experienced was
when Dorothy left them and returned to her Kansas home.

Now she received a joyful welcome, although no one except Ozma knew at
first that she had finally come to stay for good and all.

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Explanation

Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from The Emerald City of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Context of the Source

The Emerald City of Oz (1910) is the sixth book in L. Frank Baum’s Oz series, which began with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900). The series follows the adventures of Dorothy Gale, a young girl from Kansas who repeatedly finds herself in the magical Land of Oz. By this point in the series, Dorothy has become a beloved figure in Oz, and the excerpt reflects her deep connection to the land and its people.

This particular passage serves as a recap and reflection on Dorothy’s past adventures, reinforcing her importance in Oz while setting up her permanent return. It also highlights key themes of the series: the power of kindness, the contrast between illusion and reality, and the idea that true greatness comes from character rather than magic.

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Themes in the Excerpt

1. The Power of Ordinary Goodness

   • The passage emphasizes that Dorothy’s influence in Oz stems not from magic but from her "simplicity and kindness."
   • Unlike the Wizard, who relied on deception (his "sleight-of-hand" tricks), Dorothy’s strength lies in her honesty and sincerity.
   • This reinforces Baum’s recurring theme that moral virtues are more powerful than supernatural abilities.

2. The Contrast Between Appearance and Reality

   • The Wizard is introduced as a humbug—a fraud who initially fool the Ozites with illusions but is later accepted for his true, kind nature.
   • Dorothy, on the other hand, is exactly what she appears to be: a simple, good-hearted girl whose actions consistently benefit others.
   • This contrast suggests that authenticity is more valuable than pretense.

3. The Idea of Home and Belonging

   • Dorothy is loved "next best to Ozma" (the rightful ruler of Oz), showing her deep integration into Oz’s society.
   • The Ozites’ grief when she leaves for Kansas underscores that she is more at home in Oz than in the "great outside world."
   • Her permanent return (hinted at in the last line) fulfills a long-standing emotional arc—she finally belongs where she is most valued.

4. The Redemption of Outsiders

   • The passage mentions three outsiders who found a home in Oz:
     • The Wizard (a former deceitful ruler, now accepted for his kindness).
     • The Shaggy Man (a wandering eccentric, now a trusted governor).
     • Billina the Yellow Hen (a talking animal, given a proper home).
   • This suggests that Oz is a land of second chances, where even those who don’t fit in elsewhere can find acceptance.

5. The Triumph Over Evil Through Goodness

   • Dorothy is credited with defeating two wicked witches and rescuing beloved figures (the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman).
   • Unlike traditional fairy-tale heroes who rely on strength or magic, Dorothy’s victories come from friendship, courage, and moral clarity.

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Literary Devices Used

1. Foreshadowing

   • The last line ("no one except Ozma knew at first that she had finally come to stay for good and all") hints at a major plot development—Dorothy’s permanent move to Oz.

2. Irony

   • The Wizard, a fake sorcerer, is initially revered, while Dorothy, a non-magical girl, accomplishes real wonders.
   • The Ozites believe in illusions (the Wizard’s tricks) but are ultimately saved by truth and simplicity (Dorothy’s character).

3. Repetition for Emphasis

   • Phrases like "simple, sweet, and true" and "honest to herself and to all whom she met" reinforce Dorothy’s moral purity.
   • The repeated mention of her lack of magical powers contrasts with the Wizard’s reliance on deception.

4. Juxtaposition

   • The Wizard’s trickery vs. Dorothy’s honesty.
   • The "great outside world" (harsh, ordinary) vs. the Land of Oz (magical, welcoming).

5. Symbolism

   • The Emerald City represents a utopia where goodness is rewarded.
   • Dorothy’s return symbolizes the triumph of belonging over displacement.
   • The Scarecrow and Tin Woodman (once helpless, now beloved rulers) symbolize transformation through friendship.

6. Direct Address to the Reader

   • Baum occasionally breaks the fourth wall (e.g., "The exception I speak of was the wonderful Wizard of Oz"), creating a conversational, storytelling tone that draws the reader in.

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Significance of the Passage

1. Dorothy as a Folk Hero

   • The excerpt mythologizes Dorothy, framing her as a legendary figure in Oz’s history.
   • Unlike traditional fairy-tale heroes (princes, witches, or warriors), she is an everyman (or everygirl) whose greatness comes from her character.

2. Baum’s Moral Philosophy

   • Baum, a progressive thinker, often used his stories to promote kindness, equality, and the rejection of pretense.
   • This passage reinforces his belief that true power comes from integrity, not illusion.

3. The Evolution of Oz as a Society

   • Early in the series, Oz was ruled by deception (the Wizard) and tyranny (the Wicked Witches).
   • By this book, it has become a harmonious kingdom where even former outsiders (like the Wizard and Shaggy Man) have meaningful roles.
   • Dorothy’s return solidifies Oz as a land of acceptance and second chances.

4. The Emotional Payoff for Longtime Readers

   • For fans of the series, this passage serves as a nostalgic recap, reminding them of Dorothy’s past adventures while setting up her final, permanent homecoming.
   • It rewards loyalty—readers who have followed Dorothy’s journey see her finally where she belongs.

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Line-by-Line Breakdown of Key Moments

1. "When the people of the Emerald City heard that Dorothy had returned to them every one was eager to see her..."

   • Tone: Warm, celebratory.
   • Significance: Establishes Dorothy’s beloved status in Oz.

2. "From time to time some of the folk from the great outside world had found their way into this fairyland, but all except one had been companions of Dorothy..."

   • Contrast: The "great outside world" (mundane, possibly harsh) vs. Oz (magical, welcoming).
   • Implication: Dorothy is a bridge between worlds, bringing good people into Oz.

3. "The exception I speak of was the wonderful Wizard of Oz, a sleight-of-hand performer from Omaha..."

   • Irony: The "wonderful" Wizard is actually a fraud, but his kindness redeems him.
   • Historical Context: Baum critiques charlatans and false prophets, a common theme in early 20th-century America (an era of snake-oil salesmen and traveling con artists).

4. "He was a gentle, kind-hearted little man, and Dorothy grew to like him afterward."

   • Redemption Arc: The Wizard is forgiven and accepted despite his deception.

5. "In addition to the Wizard two other personages from the outside world had been allowed to make their home in the Emerald City."

   • Inclusivity: Oz is a land of refugees, where even a talking hen has a place.

6. "No wonder the people thought Dorothy had brought them good luck!"

   • Superstition vs. Reality: The Ozites see her as a lucky charm, but the narrator clarifies that her power comes from her character, not magic.

7. "Yet, strange as it may seem, she had accomplished all these wonders not because she was a fairy or had any magical powers whatever..."

   • Central Theme: Kindness is the real magic.

8. "In this world in which we live simplicity and kindness are the only magic wands that work wonders..."

   • Meta-Commentary: Baum breaks the fourth wall, suggesting that the moral applies to the real world, not just Oz.

9. "Now she received a joyful welcome, although no one except Ozma knew at first that she had finally come to stay for good and all."

   • Foreshadowing: Sets up the emotional climax of the book—Dorothy’s permanent return.

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Conclusion: Why This Passage Matters

This excerpt is more than just exposition—it is a celebration of Dorothy’s legacy and a reinforcement of Baum’s core themes. It:

• Honors Dorothy’s growth from a lost child to a savior and beloved figure.
• Contrasts illusion with reality, showing that true greatness comes from within.
• Sets up the emotional resolution of her permanent return to Oz.
• Delivers a moral lesson about kindness, simplicity, and the power of ordinary goodness.

In the broader context of the Oz series, this passage solidifies Oz as a utopia where goodness is rewarded, and it celebrates Dorothy as the heart of that world. For readers, it serves as both a nostalgic reflection and a promise of a happy ending—Dorothy is finally home.

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Questions

Question 1

The passage’s portrayal of the Wizard of Oz serves primarily to:

A. underscore the Ozites’ gullibility in mistaking deception for genuine power.
B. illustrate how outsiders can only gain acceptance in Oz through magical prowess.
C. contrast the superficiality of performative authority with the enduring influence of moral integrity.
D. suggest that redemption in Oz is contingent upon abandoning one’s former identity entirely.
E. highlight the inevitability of fraud being exposed in a society that values transparency.

Question 2

The narrator’s assertion that “in this world in which we live simplicity and kindness are the only magic wands that work wonders” functions most clearly as:

A. a didactic admonishment against the dangers of materialism in industrializing societies.
B. an implicit critique of the Ozites’ reliance on Dorothy as a symbolic figure rather than an autonomous agent.
C. a nostalgic lament for a lost era when moral virtues were sufficient to overcome adversity.
D. a meta-narrative bridge that collapses the distinction between Oz’s fantastical ethics and the reader’s reality.
E. a subtle indictment of Dorothy’s passivity in allowing others to attribute her successes to luck.

Question 3

The phrase “the only real grief the Ozites had ever experienced was when Dorothy left them” is most effectively interpreted as:

A. an ironic underscoring of the Ozites’ emotional dependency on an outsider to validate their collective identity.
B. a sentimental exaggeration intended to elevate Dorothy’s status to that of a mythic heroine.
C. a narrative device to foreshadow the political instability that arises in Dorothy’s absence.
D. an implicit rebuke of Dorothy’s repeated abandonments of Oz for her mundane life in Kansas.
E. a literal statement emphasizing the Ozites’ inability to experience complex emotions beyond joy and sorrow.

Question 4

The structural placement of the Shaggy Man and Billina the Yellow Hen in the passage primarily serves to:

A. demonstrate the hierarchical nature of Oz’s society, where humans are privileged over animals.
B. provide comedic relief by juxtaposing a whimsical eccentric with a domesticated barnyard animal.
C. reinforce the idea that Oz’s inclusivity is conditional upon prior association with Dorothy.
D. expand the thematic argument that Oz is a sanctuary for misfits who find purpose through communal belonging.
E. undermine Dorothy’s uniqueness by suggesting her companions are equally responsible for Oz’s prosperity.

Question 5

The passage’s closing line—“no one except Ozma knew at first that she had finally come to stay for good and all”—is most thematically resonant with:

A. the Ozites’ collective fear of abandonment, rooted in their traumatic history under the Wicked Witches.
B. the narrative trope of the “hidden blessing,” where pivotal truths are initially concealed from all but the wisest characters.
C. Dorothy’s own uncertainty about her permanent place in Oz, despite her repeated returns.
D. the idea that true homecoming is a quiet, private revelation before it becomes a public celebration.
E. Ozma’s role as a benevolent but manipulative ruler who controls information to maintain social harmony.

Solutions and Explanations

1) Correct answer: C

Why C is most correct: The passage explicitly contrasts the Wizard’s “sleight-of-hand” deception with Dorothy’s genuine, non-magical virtues (“simplicity and kindness”). The Wizard’s initial authority is performative and transient, while Dorothy’s influence endures because it stems from moral integrity. This duality is central to the passage’s argument about the nature of power and legitimacy in Oz.

Why the distractors are less supported:

• A: While the Ozites are initially deceived, the focus is not on their gullibility but on the contrast between false and true authority.
• B: The Wizard is accepted despite lacking magical prowess, not because of it. The passage emphasizes his kindness, not his tricks.
• D: The Wizard is not required to abandon his identity; he is accepted as he is, flaws and all.
• E: The passage does not suggest fraud is inevitably exposed—rather, the Wizard’s deception is forgiven because of his redeeming qualities.

2) Correct answer: D

Why D is most correct: The narrator’s intrusion (“in this world in which we live”) collapses the boundary between Oz’s moral framework and the reader’s reality. This meta-narrative moment argues that the “magic” of kindness operates in both worlds, making the passage’s ethics universally applicable rather than confined to fantasy.

Why the distractors are less supported:

• A: The line is not a critique of materialism but a celebration of intangible virtues.
• B: The passage does not undermine Dorothy’s agency; it affirms her active role in bringing “good luck” through her character.
• C: There is no nostalgic lament—Baum presents kindness as a timeless force, not a lost one.
• E: Dorothy is not passive; the passage credits her actions (defeating witches, rescuing allies) to her virtues, not luck.

3) Correct answer: A

Why A is most correct: The hyperbole of the Ozites’ “only real grief” being Dorothy’s departure ironically reveals their dependency on her. Their collective identity and emotional well-being are tied to her presence, suggesting a fragility beneath Oz’s utopic surface. This interpretation aligns with the passage’s subtler critique of idealized societies.

Why the distractors are less supported:

• B: While the line does elevate Dorothy, the irony of the Ozites’ dependency is more thematically rich than mere sentimentality.
• C: There is no evidence of political instability; the grief is emotional, not structural.
• D: The passage does not rebuke Dorothy; her departures are framed as natural, and her returns are joyful.
• E: The Ozites experience complex emotions (e.g., admiration for the Scarecrow, affection for the Tin Woodman). The line is hyperbolic, not literal.

4) Correct answer: D

Why D is most correct: The Shaggy Man (a wandering oddity) and Billina (a talking hen) are both outsiders who find purpose in Oz’s communal structure. Their inclusion expands the theme that Oz is a haven for those who don’t fit elsewhere, reinforcing the idea that belonging transforms misfits into valued members.

Why the distractors are less supported:

• A: The passage does not suggest a hierarchy; Billina is given a “fine house” and treated as an equal.
• B: The tone is not comedic; the focus is on their integration, not their whimsy.
• C: While Dorothy is their initial link to Oz, the passage emphasizes Oz’s independent inclusivity (e.g., the Wizard is accepted despite no prior tie to her).
• E: The companions’ roles do not undermine Dorothy; they complement her legacy by showing how her influence extends to others.

5) Correct answer: D

Why D is most correct: The line frames Dorothy’s permanent return as a private truth (known only to Ozma) before it becomes public. This mirrors the passage’s broader theme that the most meaningful transformations—like Dorothy’s homecoming or the Ozites’ grief—are deeply personal before they are collectively recognized.

Why the distractors are less supported:

• A: The Ozites’ grief is not rooted in trauma but in affection; the line focuses on the quietude of the revelation, not fear.
• B: While the “hidden blessing” trope applies, the emphasis is on the intimacy of the knowledge (Ozma’s private awareness), not its eventual benefit.
• C: Dorothy’s uncertainty is not addressed; the line centers on Ozma’s knowledge, not Dorothy’s feelings.
• E: Ozma is not manipulative; the concealment is incidental, not strategic. The tone is celebratory, not sinister.