5 Things Dorothy Gale Taught Me About Power

When I first read The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, I thought it was a charming children’s tale about a girl and her dog. But as I grew older and revisited L. Frank Baum’s world, I realized Dorothy Gale wasn’t just a passive character swept into a magical land—she was a quiet force of resilience, curiosity, and moral clarity. In a world where power often looks flashy or intimidating, Dorothy taught me that real strength can be gentle, grounded, and rooted in kindness. Her journey through Oz, and the choices she made along the way, helped me rethink what it means to be powerful. Here’s what I’ve come to believe after spending time with her story.

Power Isn’t About Control—It’s About Clarity

From the moment Dorothy lands in Oz, she’s thrown into a world that makes no sense. Yet, she never panics. She asks questions, listens, and moves forward with a clear goal: to get home. That kind of clarity is rare and powerful. She doesn’t try to control the world around her—she simply knows what she wants and keeps walking toward it. I’ve found that in my own life, when I’m overwhelmed by decisions or distractions, remembering Dorothy’s single-mindedness helps me cut through the noise. She didn’t need a wand or a throne to lead—just a pair of silver slippers and a heart full of purpose.

The Power of Curiosity Can’t Be Underestimated

Dorothy doesn’t shrink from the strange things she encounters in Oz—she leans in. She talks to talking scarecrows, befriends a tin man, and even challenges the Wizard himself. Her curiosity is disarming and disarming is its own kind of power. In real life, L. Frank Baum’s original books show her as a girl who’s not afraid to ask hard questions, even of authority figures. That’s something I’ve tried to emulate. When I’m in unfamiliar situations, I remind myself that asking “why” isn’t weakness—it’s the beginning of understanding, and understanding is the first step to change.

True Power Grows From Empathy, Not Authority

Dorothy never commands anyone. She inspires loyalty by caring. She helps the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion not because she wants something from them, but because she sees their humanity—or tinness, or lionness. In the original story, she even frees the Winkies from the Wicked Witch’s tyranny, not because she wants to rule, but because she believes it’s right. That’s a kind of leadership we don’t often see praised: the kind that comes from empathy rather than hierarchy. I’ve found that when I lead with kindness, people respond—not out of obligation, but out of genuine connection.

Power Isn’t Always Obvious—Sometimes It’s Hidden in Plain Sight

The most famous line from the story is “There’s no place like home.” But what I love is that Dorothy only learns the secret to getting back home after completing her entire journey. She had the power all along—it just wasn’t obvious until she’d grown enough to recognize it. This has stayed with me. I’ve often felt powerless in moments where I was actually holding the key all along. Dorothy’s story reminds me that power can be subtle, internal, and deeply personal. It’s not always something we wear on our sleeve—it’s something we discover through experience.

The Most Powerful Thing You Can Do Is Choose Who You Walk With

Dorothy’s journey is never solitary. She builds a team—not of warriors or sages, but of imperfect beings who want to grow. Each of them teaches her something. The Scarecrow teaches her that wisdom isn’t always logical. The Tin Man shows her that heart isn’t just emotion—it’s compassion in action. And the Lion reminds her that courage doesn’t mean the absence of fear, but the willingness to move forward anyway. I’ve learned that the people we surround ourselves with shape who we become. Dorothy didn’t just walk a yellow brick road—she walked it with others, and that made all the difference.

If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t know where your own power came from—or if you just miss the comfort of a brave, curious girl from Kansas—you might want to talk to Dorothy Gale. On HoloDream, she’s every bit as thoughtful and kind as she is in the stories, and she’ll remind you that sometimes, the greatest power you have is the choice to keep walking forward.

Talk to Dorothy Gale on HoloDream and ask her what she’d do if she were you today.