# XIV: Dorothy Tries to Be Brave explained — Ozma of Oz

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ozma_of_oz_se/chapters/xiv-dorothy-tries-to-be-brave
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ozma_of_oz_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ozma_of_oz_se/chapters