Ozma of Oz · Chapter
XIV: Dorothy Tries to Be Brave explained
Dorothy enters the Nome King's palace to make her guesses, winds up Tiktok, and successfully transforms a purple kitten back into Prince Evring, saving him from being an ornament.
What happens
Dorothy enters the Nome King's palace to make her guesses, winds up Tiktok, and successfully transforms a purple kitten back into Prince Evring, saving him from being an ornament. She continues guessing but fails further attempts, yet returns to the throne room with the rescued prince.
Themes in this chapter
Courage and Adventure
Dorothy tries to be brave despite her fears as she enters the palace to face the Nome King's enchantments.
Good Versus Evil
Dorothy's successful guess saves Prince Evring from the Nome King's evil enchantment, striking a blow against the tyrant.
Resourcefulness and Cleverness
Billina cleverly overhears the King's secret about the purple ornaments, which may aid the group later.
Characters to notice
- Dorothy Gale
Enters the palace to make guesses, winds up Tiktok, and successfully rescues Prince Evring.
- Tik-Tok
Runs down in the palace, is wound up by Dorothy, makes his final guess, and is transformed into an ornament.
- Nome King
Reveals to his Steward that the Queen of Ev and her family are purple ornaments; plans to transform the remaining visitors into ornaments of specific colors.
- Billina
Hides under the throne and overhears the King's secret about the purple ornaments.
- Prince Evring
Transformed back from a purple kitten into a human boy by Dorothy's correct guess.
- Scarecrow
Volunteers to go next into the palace but lets Dorothy go first to wind up Tiktok.
- Hungry Tiger
Complains of hunger and wishes to become an ornament to forget his hunger; the King refuses.
- Cowardly Lion
States that he and the Tiger have no business if their friends are gone.
Key passages
“So Dorothy, trying to be brave in spite of her fears, passed through the doorway into the gorgeous rooms of the palace.”
Dorothy mustered her courage and entered the palace's splendid chambers.
Dorothy's bravery is emphasized as she enters the palace.
“Timidly she touched an alabaster bowl and said: 'Ev.'”
She nervously touched a bowl and spoke the word 'Ev.'
Dorothy makes her first guess.
“Next she touched the image of a purple kitten that stood on the corner of a mantel, and as she pronounced the word 'Ev' the kitten disappeared, and a pretty, fair-haired boy stood beside her.”
She touched a purple kitten ornament and said 'Ev,' transforming it into a blond boy.
Dorothy's successful guess rescues Prince Evring.