Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz · Chapter
V: Dorothy Picks the Princess explained
Dorothy, Zeb, and the Wizard decide to pick the ripe Royal Princess from her bush to replace the hostile Prince.
What happens
Dorothy, Zeb, and the Wizard decide to pick the ripe Royal Princess from her bush to replace the hostile Prince. After she comes to life, she assumes rule and the group explores the vegetable gardens, where the Wizard catches a fish for Eureka. They then take shelter in the House of the Sorcerer and sleep on glass benches.
Themes in this chapter
Humbug vs. True Magic
The Wizard openly admits to being a humbug, yet his trick with the piglets and fish-catching blur the line between deception and genuine magic.
Hospitality and Generosity
Dorothy and the Wizard share crackers with the piglets and offer to help the Princess, showing kindness in a strange land.
Characters to notice
- Dorothy Gale
Dorothy helps pick the Princess and cares for the tiny piglets.
- Zeb
Zeb observes the Wizard's tricks and explores the glass city with the group.
- The Wizard
The Wizard admits to being a humbug, catches a fish for Eureka, and suggests picking the Princess.
- Eureka the Kitten
Eureka eats a fish and pesters the group for meat or milk.
- Jim the Cab-Horse
Jim eats pink grass and later sleeps in the House of the Sorcerer.
Key passages
“I don’t believe you are a Wizard at all!" "No," answered the little man, "you are quite right. In the strict sense of the word I am not a Wizard, but only a humbug.”
Eureka accuses the Wizard of being a fraud, and he agrees that he is merely a humbug.
The Wizard's confession reinforces the theme of humbug vs. true magic.
“Suppose we pick the Royal Princess," said the Wizard. "I’m quite sure she’s ripe, and as soon as she comes to life she will be the Ruler, and may treat us better than that heartless Prince intends to.”
The Wizard suggests picking the ripe Princess to replace the cruel Prince.
This action drives the chapter's plot and leads to a change in leadership.