# XII: The Eleven Guesses explained — Ozma of Oz

> Chapter companion for Ozma of Oz by L. Frank Baum.

## What happens

Ozma bravely accepts the Nome King's challenge to guess which ornaments in his palace are the transformed royal family of Ev, using eleven guesses. Despite her careful search and desperate final blind guess, she fails and is herself transformed into an emerald grasshopper. The Nome King then invites the next challenger, and the Tin Woodman steps forward to attempt the rescue.

## Themes in this chapter

### Courage and Adventure

Ozma boldly accepts the dangerous challenge despite the risk of enslavement, demonstrating true courage.

### Leadership and Responsibility

Ozma takes on the responsibility of freeing the royal family, and the Tin Woodman asserts his duty as commander to go next.

### Good Versus Evil

The Nome King's cunning trap and the heroes' selfless attempts to rescue the enslaved represent the classic struggle between good and evil.

## Character check-ins

### Ozma

Accepts the Nome King's challenge, uses eleven guesses, and is transformed into an emerald grasshopper after failing.

### Nome King

Sets the condition of eleven guesses, watches Ozma's attempt, and cheerfully announces her failure.

### Dorothy Gale

Expresses dismay at Ozma's failure and offers to go next, but is persuaded to let the Tin Woodman go first.

### Tin Woodman

As commander of Ozma's army, insists on being the next to attempt the rescue.

### Scarecrow

Urges the Tin Woodman to be careful and expresses concern about the risk of being transformed.

### Tik-Tok

Asks if Ozma has failed, showing his mechanical but concerned nature.

## Key lines

> But I shall have eleven guesses," answered Ozma. "Surely I ought to guess one object in eleven correctly; and, if I do, I shall rescue one of the royal family and be safe myself.

Ozma reasoned that with eleven attempts she should be able to identify at least one transformed person, thereby freeing them and ensuring her own safety.

_Ozma's logical optimism before the challenge._

> The rooms were quite empty of life after that. The Nome King had gained a new ornament.

After Ozma's final guess, the palace became lifeless because the Nome King had transformed her into an ornament.

_The grim consequence of Ozma's failure._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ozma_of_oz_se/chapters/xii-the-eleven-guesses
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ozma_of_oz_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ozma_of_oz_se/chapters