The Confrontation with Oz

The companions demand that Oz fulfill his promises, leading to the revelation of his true identity and the collapse of his illusion.

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The Demand for Fulfillment

The Companions' Ultimatum The Waiting Period After destroying the Wicked Witch, Dorothy and her friends return to the Emerald City. They are given rooms and wait for Oz to see them. But he does not send for them for three days. The Growing Anger The companions grow vexed. They have risked their lives, and Oz is ignoring them. The Scarecrow sends a message threatening to call the Winged Monkeys if Oz does not see them. The Summons Oz, frightened by the mention of the Winged Monkeys, agrees to see them at four minutes after nine the next morning. The companions prepare for the audience.

The Empty Throne Room

The Invisible Voice The Empty Room The four companions enter the Throne Room. They see no one. They look around, but the room is empty. A solemn voice speaks from the dome, claiming to be Oz. The Voice's Promises The voice asks what they want. They list their demands. The voice says the Witch is destroyed? Dorothy confirms. The voice says to come back tomorrow. The companions refuse. The Lion's Roar The Lion roars fiercely, and Toto jumps away, tipping over a screen in the corner. The screen falls with a crash, revealing a little old man. The Tin Woodman raises his axe and demands to know who he is.

The Revelation of the Humbug

The Truth About Oz The Little Old Man The little man trembles and says, 'I am Oz, the Great and Terrible. But don't strike me! I'll do anything you want.' He looks nothing like a wizard. The Confession Oz explains that he is a humbug, a ventriloquist from Omaha. He came to Oz in a balloon and was mistaken for a wizard. He built the city and made everyone wear green spectacles. He has no magic powers. The Companions' Reactions Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Lion are shocked and disappointed. They thought Oz was a great Head, a lovely Lady, a terrible Beast, and a Ball of Fire. All were illusions. Oz is just a common man.

The Partial Fulfillment

The Gifts of the Humbug The Scarecrow's Brains Oz offers to give the Scarecrow brains. He takes his head, empties the straw, and fills it with bran and pins. The Scarecrow feels wise. The Tin Woodman's Heart Oz cuts a hole in the Tin Woodman's chest and inserts a silk heart stuffed with sawdust. The Woodman is overjoyed. The Lion's Courage Oz pours a green liquid from a bottle into a dish. The Lion drinks it and feels full of courage. The companions are satisfied, even if the gifts are symbolic. Dorothy's Disappointment Oz cannot send Dorothy home. He tries to build a balloon, but it leaves without her. Dorothy is left to find another way.

After returning from the Witch's castle

At the appointed time

After the screen falls

After the revelation