# The Magic Art of the Great Humbug explained — The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

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

## What happens

Oz grants the Scarecrow a brain made of bran and pins, the Tin Woodman a silk heart stuffed with sawdust, and the Cowardly Lion a potion he believes is courage. Dorothy remains unchanged, and Oz privately admits he is a humbug, unsure how to send her back to Kansas.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Illusion of Power and Authority

Oz is revealed as a humbug who uses trickery to fulfill the companions' desires, highlighting the theme that power is often an illusion.

### The Value of Ordinary Qualities

The Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Lion already possessed the qualities they sought; Oz's gifts merely confirm what was already within them.

## Character check-ins

### Scarecrow

Receives a brain of bran and pins from Oz, becoming proud and feeling wise.

### Tin Woodman

Gets a silk heart stuffed with sawdust, expressing gratitude and joy.

### Cowardly Lion

Drinks a courage potion from Oz and declares himself full of courage.

### Oz

Reveals himself as a humbug, successfully granting the companions' wishes through trickery but admitting he cannot help Dorothy.

### Dorothy

Observes the Scarecrow's transformation and remains kind, saying she liked him as he was.

## Key lines

> How can I help being a humbug, when all these people make me do things that everybody knows can't be done?

Oz reflects that he is forced to be a fraud because others expect impossible things from him.

_Oz admits his own deception and the pressure he feels from the companions' beliefs._

> I have always liked you as you were.

Dorothy tells the Scarecrow she appreciated him even before he got his new brain.

_Dorothy's simple affection underscores the theme that worth is inherent, not earned through external gifts._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se/chapters/xvi-the-magic-art-of-the-great-humbug
- 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