The Power of the Silver Shoes

The Silver Shoes, inherited from the Wicked Witch of the East, hold the key to Dorothy's return home, but their power is unknown until the end.

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Acquisition of the Shoes

The Wicked Witch's Inheritance The House Falls Dorothy's house lands on the Wicked Witch of the East, killing her. The Witch's feet, wearing Silver Shoes, are left sticking out. The Witch of the North explains that the shoes have a charm, but no one knows what it is. Dorothy Wears the Shoes The Witch of the North gives the shoes to Dorothy. She puts them on, and they fit perfectly. She wears them throughout her journey, thinking they are just good walking shoes. The Witch's Longing The Wicked Witch of the West sees the shoes and covets them. She knows their power. She tries to steal them from Dorothy, but fails until she tricks her.

The Shoe's Charm

The Hidden Power The Witch's Greed The Wicked Witch of the West knows the Silver Shoes have great power. She tries to steal them by making Dorothy stumble and taking one shoe. She puts it on her own foot. Dorothy's Anger Dorothy is angry and throws a bucket of water at the Witch, melting her. The shoe is recovered. Dorothy still does not know the full power of the shoes. The Final Revelation At the end, Glinda reveals that the Silver Shoes can carry Dorothy anywhere in the world in three steps. Dorothy uses them to return to Kansas. The shoes fall off in the desert and are lost forever.

The Return Home

Three Steps to Kansas The Command Glinda tells Dorothy to knock her heels together three times and command the shoes to take her home. Dorothy does so, saying, 'Take me home to Aunt Em!' The Flight She is instantly whirled through the air. The shoes take three steps and drop her in Kansas. She lands on the prairie, the shoes gone. The Lost Shoes The Silver Shoes fall off in the desert and are lost forever. Their power is used up. Dorothy is home, and she no longer needs them. The shoes symbolize the journey itself: the power to return was always there, but she had to discover it through experience.

At the beginning of the story

Throughout the story

At the end of the story