Dorothy concludes her journey by saying, “I am so happy to be at home again,” yet as I was reading the book this question kept coming into my mind: Why does Dorothy desperately wish to return to her gray life in Kansas?
This seems entirely contrary to what is presented at the beginning of the book. Aunt Em has lost the sparkle in her eye and has become lifeless. Uncle Henry works all day and night and seemingly has no relationship with Dorothy or Em. Toto is the only thing in Dorothy’s life that has color and gives her joy, yet she fears that this too will go away.
Why then does she wish to return to Kansas, after making such amazing friends and experiencing the colorful life she has seemingly always wanted?
The counselor in me is saying that Dorothy wishes to return to what is familiar, rather than be challenged by a (possibly) greater future. In Oz, Dorothy is a hero. Well respected by her comrades, and an adventurer. In Kansas, Dorothy is no one.
At first, I thought the takeaway I was going to get from this book was through the supporting characters. The scarecrow didn’t need brains to be respected, the Tin-Man didn’t need a heart to care, and the Lion didn’t need courage to have self respect. However, each of these characters got their wish fulfilled; albeit through self-belief. Dorothy did not receive her wish. She had to hunt for it.
I don’t know. The point was to not think this much after completing a children’s story, so I’m going to stop here.