The Wonderful Wizard of Oz · Chapter
XX: The Dainty China Country explained
Dorothy and her companions climb over a wall and discover a country made entirely of china, with tiny houses, animals, and people.
What happens
Dorothy and her companions climb over a wall and discover a country made entirely of china, with tiny houses, animals, and people. They accidentally cause damage to a china milkmaid's cow and a church, and Dorothy considers taking a beautiful china Princess back to Kansas but decides against it when the Princess explains she would be unhappy. The travelers carefully cross the land and continue their journey.
Themes in this chapter
The Value of Ordinary Qualities
The Scarecrow's reflection that being made of straw has its advantages highlights the theme that ordinary, unbreakable qualities are valuable.
Home and Belonging
The china Princess's contentment in her own country and Dorothy's decision not to take her away emphasize the importance of home and belonging.
Characters to notice
- Dorothy
Leads the group through the china country, feels remorse for the damage caused, and shows compassion by not taking the china Princess away.
- Tin Woodman
Builds a ladder to cross the wall and advises caution to avoid harming the fragile china people.
- Scarecrow
Expresses curiosity about the wall, is flattened when jumping down, and later reflects on the advantages of being made of straw.
- Cowardly Lion
Sleeps before the climb, helps the others get over the second wall, but accidentally smashes a china church with his tail.
- Toto
Barks at the china dog and is present throughout the crossing.
Key passages
“There are worse things in the world than being a Scarecrow.”
Being a scarecrow is not so bad after all.
The Scarecrow acknowledges the benefits of his own nature after seeing the fragility of the china people.
“I would not make you unhappy for all the world!”
I would never do anything to cause you unhappiness.
Dorothy shows her kindness by respecting the china Princess's wish to stay in her homeland.