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Comparing Dorothy And Alice In Dorothy's Wizard Of Oz

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Dorothy and Alice go through moments of ease and moments of hardships as they navigate their way through these unimaginable lands. The young girls are transported far away and use what they know in order to survive as they go through various emotions throughout their journey. For instance, upon Dorothy’s arrival in the land of Oz she immediately notices the beauty of this unfamiliar land, which was far different from her gray and gloomy home in Kansas. The land of Oz is described as a land filled with, “lovely patches of greensward…trees bearing rich and luscious fruits. Banks of gorgeous flowers… and birds with rare and brilliant plumage sang and fluttered in the trees and bushes” (Baum 7). Despite all the beauty surrounding Dorothy nothing …show more content…

Dorothy’s journey was long and treacherous and despite all the hurdles she faced she never gave up. She walked miles, slept outside in the dark, faced the deadly Kalidahs, who were described as, “monstrous beasts with bodies like bears and heads like tigers” (Baum 35). She went through the deadly poppy field of flowers whose “odor is so powerful that anyone who breathes it falls asleep…” (Baum 41). Dorothy even managed to defeat the Wicked Witch of the West when she tried to steal her magical silver shoes away from her. This angered Dorothy so “she picked up the bucket of water that stood near and dashed it over the Witch…” the Witch cries out, “See what you have done!” “In a minute I shall melt away” (Baum 71). All these challenges that Dorothy faced in order to try to find her way back home helped her grow into a strong brave young …show more content…

However, it took her much trial and error to master the perfect sizes she needed to be. This can be shown through Alice’s interaction with the Caterpillar, ‘“the Caterpillar was the first to speak. “What size do you want to be?” it asked. “Oh, I’m not particular as to size…” “Only one doesn’t like changing so often, you know”’ (Carroll 67). Eventually, he handed Alice a mushroom that allowed her to control her growth, he states, “One side will make you grow taller, and the other side will make you grow shorter” (Carroll 68). Having this mushroom was the first time in her journey she had something in her control, before she would have to wait for food to appear or for something to drink in order to change her size. The concept of size and growth played an important role in Alice’s journey to self-actualization, her growth during the testimony in the Knave of Hearts trial symbolizes her growing awareness of the world around her and that she was in control of her fate all along. This realization gave her the courage to stand up to the Queen, ‘“Stuff and nonsense!” said Alice loudly…, “Hold your tongue!” said the Queen, turning purple.” I won’t!” said Alice. “Off with her head!” the Queen shouted at the top of her voice. Nobody moved. “Who cares for you?” said Alice, (she had grown to her full size by this time.) “You’re nothing but a pack of cards!”’ (Carroll 187). Alice’s last state shows that she

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