# XX: The Dainty China Country explained — The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se/chapters/xx-the-dainty-china-country
- 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