The Wonderful Wizard of Oz · Chapter
XV: The Discovery of Oz, the Terrible explained
Dorothy and her friends return to the Emerald City after destroying the Wicked Witch of the West.
What happens
Dorothy and her friends return to the Emerald City after destroying the Wicked Witch of the West. They demand that Oz fulfill his promises, but when they confront him, they discover he is not a powerful wizard but a common, ordinary man—a humbug who has been deceiving everyone with tricks and illusions. Despite his confession, Oz agrees to give the Scarecrow brains, the Tin Woodman a heart, and the Cowardly Lion courage the next day, and promises to think of a way to send Dorothy back to Kansas.
Themes in this chapter
The Illusion of Power and Authority
Oz is exposed as a common man who has maintained his power through deception and stage tricks, revealing that authority can be based on illusion.
Self-Discovery and Fulfillment
Each character confronts the possibility that what they seek may already be within them, as Oz suggests they already possess the qualities they desire.
Characters to notice
- Dorothy
Demands Oz keep his promise to return her to Kansas; melts the Wicked Witch of the West.
- Scarecrow
Insists Oz give him brains; is grieved to learn Oz is a humbug.
- Tin Woodman
Angrily demands a heart; raises his axe at the revealed humbug.
- Cowardly Lion
Roars to frighten the Wizard, causing Toto to knock over the screen that reveals Oz; asks for courage.
- Oz
Revealed as a little old man and a humbug; admits he is not a real wizard but agrees to grant the friends' requests.
- Toto
Accidentally tips over the screen, exposing Oz's true form.
Key passages
“I am Oz, the Great and Terrible. But don't strike me—please don't—and I'll do anything you want me to.”
The little man admits he is Oz but begs not to be harmed, offering to comply with their wishes.
Oz's true identity is revealed as a frightened, ordinary man.
“I have fooled everyone so long that I thought I should never be found out.”
Oz confesses he has been deceiving everyone for years and never expected to be discovered.
Oz acknowledges his long-standing deception.
“You don't need them. You are learning something every day. A baby has brains, but it doesn't know much. Experience is the only thing that brings knowledge.”
Oz tells the Scarecrow that he already gains knowledge through experience and doesn't need artificial brains.
Oz suggests the Scarecrow's quest for brains is unnecessary.