# Home and Belonging in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

> Theme guide for The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum.

Dorothy's primary motivation throughout the story is to return to Kansas and her family, emphasizing the theme that home is a place of love and security, even when contrasted with the magical Land of Oz.

## Where it surfaces

- [The Wonderful Wizard of Oz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se/chapters/the-wonderful-wizard-of-oz): Dorothy's primary motivation is to return to Kansas, and the story emphasizes that home is where love and family are.
- [The Cyclone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se/chapters/i-the-cyclone): The small, gray house on the prairie is Dorothy's home, but it is lifted away by the cyclone, setting the stage for her journey to find a new sense of belonging.
- [The Council with the Munchkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se/chapters/ii-the-council-with-the-munchkins): Dorothy's immediate desire to return to her aunt and uncle in Kansas highlights her longing for home and belonging in a strange new land.
- [The Road Through the Forest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se/chapters/iv-the-road-through-the-forest): Dorothy explains to the Scarecrow that no matter how beautiful Oz is, she prefers her gray home in Kansas, reinforcing the theme that home is irreplaceable.
- [X: The Guardian of the Gate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se/chapters/x-the-guardian-of-the-gate): Dorothy's sorrowful admission that Kansas is her home, though she doesn't know where it is, underscores her longing for belonging.
- [The Rescue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se/chapters/xiii-the-rescue): Dorothy's longing for Kansas and Aunt Em drives the group's decision to return to the Emerald City, emphasizing her desire for home.
- [How the Balloon Was Launched](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se/chapters/xvii-how-the-balloon-was-launched): Dorothy's longing for Kansas drives the chapter's central conflict, and her failure to board the balloon underscores her deep desire to return home.
- [Away to the South](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se/chapters/xviii-away-to-the-south): Dorothy's primary motivation is to return to Kansas and her family, highlighting the theme of home and belonging.
- [XX: The Dainty China Country](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se/chapters/xx-the-dainty-china-country): 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.
- [Glinda the Good Witch Grants Dorothy's Wish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se/chapters/xxiii-glinda-the-good-witch-grants-dorothy-s-wish): Dorothy's primary wish is to return to Kansas and her family, and the chapter resolves her journey home.
- [Home Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se/chapters/xxiv-home-again): Dorothy's return emphasizes the comfort and joy of being home.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se/themes/home_and_belonging
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se/themes