# How does The Wonderful Wizard of Oz develop the theme of The Value of Ordinary Qualities?

> The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

## Answer

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum develops The Value of Ordinary Qualities across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.

Dorothy's simple, ordinary nature—her kindness, courage, and determination—proves more powerful than magic, as she overcomes challenges without special abilities, relying on her own resourcefulness.

The Tin Woodman's carefulness and the Lion's admission of fear highlight the importance of ordinary human qualities.

The Scarecrow's practical thinking and the Lion's courage (despite fear) prove more valuable than any magical power.

The tiny field mice, though small and ordinary, prove essential in saving the Lion, highlighting the power of humble helpers.

## Evidence

- [vi-the-cowardly-lion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se/chapters/vi-the-cowardly-lion.md): The Tin Woodman's carefulness and the Lion's admission of fear highlight the importance of ordinary human qualities.
- [vii-the-journey-to-the-great-oz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se/chapters/vii-the-journey-to-the-great-oz.md): The Scarecrow's practical thinking and the Lion's courage (despite fear) prove more valuable than any magical power.
- [ix-the-queen-of-the-field-mice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se/chapters/ix-the-queen-of-the-field-mice.md): The tiny field mice, though small and ordinary, prove essential in saving the Lion, highlighting the power of humble helpers.
- [xii-the-search-for-the-wicked-witch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se/chapters/xii-the-search-for-the-wicked-witch.md): Dorothy's simple, unknowing goodness and her ordinary actions (like throwing water) prove more powerful than the Witch's cunning magic.
- [xiii-the-rescue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se/chapters/xiii-the-rescue.md): The Winkies' practical skills (tinsmithing, goldsmithing) are essential for restoring the Tin Woodman and Scarecrow, highlighting the worth of everyday abilities.
- [xvi-the-magic-art-of-the-great-humbug](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se/chapters/xvi-the-magic-art-of-the-great-humbug.md): The Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Lion already possessed the qualities they sought; Oz's gifts merely confirm what was already within them.
- [xx-the-dainty-china-country](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se/chapters/xx-the-dainty-china-country.md): The Scarecrow's reflection that being made of straw has its advantages highlights the theme that ordinary, unbreakable qualities are valuable.

## Links

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