Dorothy and her friends have a dream. Well, they have four of them, actually. Stop us if you've heard this one before.
In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy wants nothing more than to go home, the Scarecrow wants a brain, the tin man wants a heart, and the Lion wants courage. They remind themselves, and each other, of these goals constantly as they're on the road, repeating them out loud at every opportunity. Their hopes for the future give them a sense of purpose and a reason to move forward.
These guys are so focused on their personal mantras, they should be guests on Dr. Phil. But, listen, it seems to really work. By the end of the book, all four characters have found what they were looking for. Seems like putting your dreams, hopes, and plans out there for all the world to see—and hear—can actually be effective.
Questions About Dreams, Hopes, and Plans
- What do the dreams of the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Lion all have in common?
- In what way does Dorothy's dream differ from the dreams of her friends?
- Do you think that dreams come true in the Land of Oz? Explain your answer.
Chew on This
In The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, dreams are serious business. They give the main characters a reason to keep going.
In The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, dreams are sort of silly. The main characters all long for things they already have.