# Courage and Resourcefulness in Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz

> Theme guide for Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz by L. Frank Baum.

The characters repeatedly face dangerous situations—earthquakes, hostile Gargoyles, and imprisonment—and overcome them through bravery, quick thinking, and teamwork rather than brute force or magic.

## Where it surfaces

- [The Earthquake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dorothy_and_the_wizard_in_oz_se/chapters/i-the-earthquake): Despite the terrifying earthquake and fall, both Dorothy and Zeb show composure—Dorothy by staying calm and Zeb by keeping his wits during the crisis.
- [The Mangaboos Prove Dangerous](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dorothy_and_the_wizard_in_oz_se/chapters/vi-the-mangaboos-prove-dangerous): Jim and Eureka bravely fight the Mangaboos despite being outnumbered, and the Wizard uses his wits to save the humans.
- [Into the Black Pit and Out Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dorothy_and_the_wizard_in_oz_se/chapters/vii-into-the-black-pit-and-out-again): The group uses lanterns and the buggy to navigate the dark tunnel, showing resourcefulness in the face of imprisonment.
- [IX: They Fight the Invisible Bears](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dorothy_and_the_wizard_in_oz_se/chapters/ix-they-fight-the-invisible-bears): The group uses the magical plant to walk on water and the Wizard fights the invisible bear, demonstrating quick thinking and bravery.
- [XI: They Meet the Wooden Gargoyles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dorothy_and_the_wizard_in_oz_se/chapters/xi-they-meet-the-wooden-gargoyles): The group faces the wooden Gargoyles with determination; Dorothy refuses to retreat, the Wizard uses revolvers and noise to fight, and Zeb captures a prisoner.
- [A Wonderful Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dorothy_and_the_wizard_in_oz_se/chapters/xii-a-wonderful-escape): The group fights valiantly against the Gargoyles and devises a clever plan to steal wings and escape, demonstrating quick thinking and bravery.
- [XIII: The Den of the Dragonettes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dorothy_and_the_wizard_in_oz_se/chapters/xiii-the-den-of-the-dragonettes): The group uses fire to block the Gargoyles and creatively disassembles the buggy to continue their journey, demonstrating quick thinking and bravery.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dorothy_and_the_wizard_in_oz_se/themes/courage_and_resourcefulness
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dorothy_and_the_wizard_in_oz_se/themes