# VII: The Journey to the Great Oz explained — The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

> Chapter companion for The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum.

## What happens

Dorothy and her companions camp in the forest, face two dangerous gulfs and the Kalidahs, and begin building a raft to cross a river, all while journeying toward the Emerald City.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Journey as Growth

Each obstacle—the gulfs, the Kalidahs, the river—tests the travelers and forces them to rely on each other's unique strengths.

### Friendship and Loyalty

The companions work together selflessly: the Scarecrow gathers nuts, the Lion carries them, and the Tin Woodman chops wood and builds a raft.

### The Value of Ordinary Qualities

The Scarecrow's practical thinking and the Lion's courage (despite fear) prove more valuable than any magical power.

## Character check-ins

### Dorothy

Leads the group, cares for Toto, and relies on her friends for food and transport.

### Tin Woodman

Chops wood for the fire and later builds a raft; expresses sadness at lacking a heart.

### Scarecrow

Gathers nuts, devises clever plans to cross the gulfs, and suggests using the tree as a bridge.

### Cowardly Lion

Carries each companion across the first gulf, faces the Kalidahs bravely, and admits his fear.

### Toto

Travels with Dorothy, carried across the gulfs and kept close for safety.

### Kalidahs

Monstrous beasts that attack the group but are defeated when the tree bridge is chopped away.

## Key lines

> “If you wish,” said the Lion, “I will go into the forest and kill a deer for you. You can roast it by the fire, since your tastes are so peculiar that you prefer cooked food, and then you will have a very good breakfast.”

The Lion offers to hunt a deer for Dorothy, noting her preference for cooked food.

_Highlights the Lion's willingness to help despite his own nature._

> “I am terribly afraid of falling, myself,” said the Cowardly Lion, “but I suppose there is nothing to do but try it.”

The Lion admits his fear of falling but resolves to attempt the jump anyway.

_Illustrates the Lion's courage in the face of fear._

> “Ah,” said the Tin Woodman sadly, “I wish I had a heart to beat.”

The Tin Woodman laments his lack of a heart after the Lion mentions his own beating heart.

_Emphasizes the Tin Woodman's longing for emotional experience._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se/chapters/vii-the-journey-to-the-great-oz
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se/chapters