# XIX: Attacked by the Fighting Trees explained — The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

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

## What happens

Dorothy and her companions leave the Emerald City and begin their journey south. They encounter a forest whose trees attack them, but the Tin Woodman chops through the branches, allowing them to pass. They then come to a high white china wall.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Journey as Growth

The travelers leave the Emerald City and face new obstacles, demonstrating their growing resourcefulness and unity.

### Friendship and Loyalty

The companions work together to overcome the fighting trees, with the Tin Woodman using his axe to protect the group.

## Character check-ins

### Dorothy

Leads the group south, hopeful of returning home, and forgives Oz for not keeping his promise.

### Scarecrow

Takes the lead but is tossed by the fighting trees; praises the brains Oz gave him.

### Tin Woodman

Uses his axe to chop the attacking branches, clearing the path for the group.

### Cowardly Lion

Enjoys the open country, claims to have grown courageous, and suggests the trees are fighting them.

### Toto

Runs about chasing moths and butterflies, but is caught by a branch and freed by the Tin Woodman.

## Key lines

> The trees seem to have made up their minds to fight us, and stop our journey

The trees appear determined to block our path by attacking us.

_The Lion observes the trees' hostile behavior._

> I will make a ladder, for we certainly must climb over the wall.

I'll build a ladder so we can get over this wall.

_The Tin Woodman proposes a solution to the wall blocking their way._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se/chapters/xix-attacked-by-the-fighting-trees
- 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