Chapters 13–18
Chapter 13: The Rescue
Dorothy frees the Lion, and the pair inform the Winkies that they are no longer slaves. Overjoyed, the Winkies agree to help Dorothy rescue the Tin Woodman and the Scarecrow.
First, they locate the Tin Woodman, who is badly battered and bent, and take him back to the Yellow Castle for their skilled tinsmiths to mend. For three days and four nights, they hammer and solder his legs, body, and head until he works as well as ever.
They then search for the Scarecrow, and the Tin Woodman chops down the tree where his clothes are suspended. The Winkies carry these back to the castle and stuff everything with clean straw until he is perfectly mended.
Dorothy and her friends spend a few additional days at the castle until Dorothy is reminded of their true missions; she encourages her friends to “claim [the] promises” of Oz and return to the Emerald City without further delay. As the Winkies cheer and wish them well, the friends depart.
Chapter 14: The Winged Monkeys
As long as the sun is shining, the travelers find it relatively easy to journey eastward toward the Emerald City, but when the sky grows cloudy, they become lost. Dorothy decides to blow the whistle which summons the field mice, who quickly appear. When they spot the Golden Cap, which Dorothy took from the Wicked Witch, they instruct her to use its charm to call the Winged Monkeys.
Confused, Dorothy asks whether the Winged Monkeys will harm her. The mice explain that the monkeys must obey the one who wears the Cap. Using the words written inside the hat’s lining, Dorothy summons the monkeys, who quickly appear and explain that they used to live in freedom but were forced into servitude by a beautiful princess who was also a powerful sorceress.
When the Wicked Witch of the West had taken possession of the Golden Cap, she used it first to enslave the Winkies and then to drive Oz out of the Land of the West. Since Dorothy now owns the Cap, she is entitled to three wishes. Dorothy uses her first wish to ask the Winged Monkeys to take their group to the Emerald City.
Chapter 15: The Discovery of Oz, The Terrible
The travelers return to Emerald City, excited to claim the promises of Oz. They are disappointed when he refuses to meet with them and, as several days pass, grow increasingly frustrated by the delay. When the Scarecrow threatens to have the Winged Monkeys summoned to expedite their meeting, Oz agrees to give them an audience.
Unsure which form Oz will assume for this meeting, the friends are surprised when they do not see him at all inside the room. His voice asks them why they have come, and they remind him of his promises for a heart, courage, a brain, and a trip back to Kansas. When Oz claims to need some time to “think [things] over,” the group insists that he keep his promises without delay.
Suddenly, a screen in the corner crashes to the floor and a small, old man steps forward. He explains that he is Oz, “the Great and Terrible” and that he has used visual tricks to portray different appearances for the visitors. He explains that he is not a great wizard at all and is just an ordinary man. The Scarecrow calls him a “humbug,” and Oz readily agrees.
Oz explains that he was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and arrived in the Emerald City after a hot air balloon he was riding in became caught in...
(This entire section contains 1133 words.)
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an air current. When he landed, the people believed that he was a great wizard and were afraid of him; since they agreed to do anything he wished, Oz began ordering people to build the city and palace. He requires everyone to wear green spectacles, which make everything appear green, to create the illusion of grandeur.
Even after he reveals the truth, the group demands that Oz fulfill his promises. Oz asks them to give him time to think and return the following morning.
Chapter 16: The Magic Art of the Great Humbug
The friends return the next morning, excited to claim their rewards for killing the Wicked Witch. Oz removes the Scarecrow’s head, fills it with a mixture of bran and needles, and fastens it back on his body. The Scarecrow is pleased that he finally has “bran-new brains” and immediately feels “wise.”
Oz then cuts open the Tin Woodman’s breast and inserts a heart made of silk and stuffed with sawdust. He assures the Woodman that it is a “kind heart” and then solders the square piece of tin back in place. The Tin Woodman is grateful.
The Lion is given a drink with the promise that he will always have courage inside him if he consumes it. The Lion doesn’t hesitate and drinks every drop; he joyfully returns to his friends, feeling “full of courage.”
When they all leave, Oz wonders how he will help Dorothy.
Chapter 17: How the Balloon Was Launched
After four days, Oz finally agrees to meet with Dorothy. He reflects that he landed in the Emerald City when his balloon became swept up in an air current, and Dorothy arrived in a cyclone; he believes he can make a balloon that will transport her back home. Furthermore, he plans to go with her because he is weary of having to stay shut up in his palace to avoid being discovered as a fraud. Dorothy is pleased that she will have company for the journey home.
Oz constructs the balloon, then makes a speech to his people, informing them that he is going away for a visit and that the Scarecrow will rule in his absence. Suddenly, the balloon begins to rise into the air, and Dorothy is unable to climb inside the basket. Oz bids farewell to everyone, and they never see him again.
Chapter 18: Away to the South
The citizens of the Emerald City are proud to have the Scarecrow as their ruler. The new ruler is disappointed that Dorothy is not “content” to live there but insists that she needs to return to her family. The Scarecrow then suggests they summon the Winged Monkeys to carry Dorothy over the desert. Dorothy is thrilled by this idea and immediately retrieves the Golden Cap. When the monkeys arrive, she explains her plan and is crushed to learn that the monkeys cannot leave their own country.
The Scarecrow calls the palace soldier, seeking advice on Dorothy’s situation. The soldier suggests contacting Glinda, the Witch of the South and the most powerful of all the Witches. She is kind and beautiful, and the travelers, including the Scarecrow, prepare to leave the following morning in search of her.
