The Wonderful Wizard of Oz · Chapter
XIX: Attacked by the Fighting Trees explained
Dorothy and her companions leave the Emerald City and begin their journey south.
What happens
Dorothy and her companions leave the Emerald City and begin their journey south. They encounter a forest whose trees attack them, but the Tin Woodman chops through the branches, allowing them to pass. They then come to a high white china wall.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological low point where all four…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- The Journey as Growth
The travelers leave the Emerald City and face new obstacles, demonstrating their growing resourcefulness and unity.
- Friendship and Loyalty
The companions work together to overcome the fighting trees, with the Tin Woodman using his axe to protect the group.
Characters to notice
- Dorothy
Leads the group south, hopeful of returning home, and forgives Oz for not keeping his promise.
- Scarecrow
Takes the lead but is tossed by the fighting trees; praises the brains Oz gave him.
- Tin Woodman
Uses his axe to chop the attacking branches, clearing the path for the group.
- Cowardly Lion
Enjoys the open country, claims to have grown courageous, and suggests the trees are fighting them.
- Toto
Runs about chasing moths and butterflies, but is caught by a branch and freed by the Tin Woodman.
Key passages
“The trees seem to have made up their minds to fight us, and stop our journey”
The trees appear determined to block our path by attacking us.
The Lion observes the trees' hostile behavior.
“I will make a ladder, for we certainly must climb over the wall.”
I'll build a ladder so we can get over this wall.
The Tin Woodman proposes a solution to the wall blocking their way.
