em1344

Initiation

The Road of Trials - In this case, the road is an actual, literal road, not a metaphor or allusion. The road that Dorothy travels is the Yellow Brick Road, which will lead her (hopefully) to the Emerald City. Well, the path may be clear, but it is very rocky.  Dorothy and her companions must contend with the Wicked Witch of the West, who loves to pop up with more frequency than desired. The Witch also creates a poisonous poppy field to lure Dorothy and her companions. That Witch is Evil with a capital "E"!

Meeting with the Goddess - The goddess, in this case, would be personified by Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. Not only does she give Dorothy encouragement and support, but she also gives her the ruby slippers and starts her on the path to the Wizard of Oz so that Dorothy can return home to Kansas. Of course, Glinda could have saved her all the trouble by telling the girl she just had to click her heels, but that is for another time.

Woman as Temptress - In this case, the 'woman' is the poppy field created by the truly evil Wicked Witch of the West. It was pleasing to the eye, aromatic to the nose, ripe with the promise of blissful rest. It was all an illusion, of course, but it was strong enough to lure Dorothy and her companions to it.

Atonement with the Father - This occurs when Dorothy and friends finally make it to the Emerald City. After a fair bit of confusion, they are allowed to have an audience with the 'Great and Powerful' Wizard of Oz. Though his 'glorious' presence is hidden behind a curtain, the voice is commanding and reeks of power. Dorothy believed herself saved then. Poor, foolish girl!

Apotheosis - Not a literal death, of course, but hope dies within Dorothy when she is faced with the sham that is the "Great and Powerful" Wizard of Oz. The 'wizard' was just a man who couldn't help himself, much less poor Dorothy. It gave her new resolve; however, the moment she knew that the one person she could truly rely on was herself. She did not need the Wizard to save her after all!

Ultimate Boon - This one is twofold. Dorothy's primary ultimate boon was herself, as mentioned above. She had to believe in her own strength and not be the 'scared victim'. The other part of this was the ruby slippers. Three clicks of the heel, "There's no place like home," three times, and Kansas here we come! Blast you, Glinda, for not saying that in the first bloody place!

Return

Refusal of the Return - Dorothy, despite all of the hardships, has enjoyed her time in Oz. She made some wonderful friends that she is rather loath to leave, knowing that she will never see them again. Oz is not someplace she can simply travel to; this was a once-in-a-lifetime fluke. So, understandably, she does have a moment of hesitation, although she quickly realizes that her true place is with her family in Kansas after all.

Magic Flight - Dorothy is able to leave Oz by simply clicking the heels of the ruby (silver in the book) that she is wearing.  Shoes that do not rightfully belong to her. They were taken from the Witch of the East when Dorothy's house fell on her and killed her.  

Rescue from Without - This comes in the form of Glinda, the Good Witch, who informs Dorothy that she has the power to leave Oz whenever she wishes by using the shoes she took from the Witch of the East. Which does make me wonder why Glinda did not tell her this from the beginning!  

Crossing of the Return Threshold - Again with the shoes!! Dorothy clicks the heels together three times while reciting "There is no place like home," and voila, back in plain old Kansas once again!

Master of Two Worlds - Dorothy was a rather timid child in the beginning, unsure of her own strength. Her time in Oz taught her resilience, courage, and the ability to face adversity bravely.  She carried these lessons with her once she returned to Kansas, thus keeping a piece of Oz with her forever.  

Freedom to Live - Before leaving Kansas, Dorothy was very discontent with her life there. Upon returning, that discontent and frustration are gone, leaving her free to fully embrace her life in Kanas. She learned that "there is no place like home" was more than just a phrase... it was the truth.