Finding Dorothy

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Finding Dorothy intertwines Maud Gage Baum’s life story with her quest to preserve her husband’s legacy on the set of The Wizard of Oz. What were your overall impressions of Maud’s character and her journey? Did her determination to protect the essence of Oz resonate with you?
• The novel shifts between Maud’s past and present, highlighting both her personal struggles and her evolving perspective on her husband’s work. How did this structure impact your experience of the story? Were there moments in either timeline that stood out to you emotionally?
• Elizabeth Letts blends historical fiction with cultural commentary in Finding Dorothy. How does this book compare to other historical novels you’ve read, especially those that explore themes of legacy, women’s rights, or creative inspiration?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Maud is deeply influenced by her mother’s commitment to suffrage and her husband’s dreams, both of which shape her sense of purpose. Reflecting on this, are there people or values from your family that have influenced your personal choices? How do they impact the way you pursue your goals?
• Throughout the novel, Maud grapples with personal sacrifices, balancing her own aspirations with the needs of her loved ones. Have you experienced moments where you felt torn between personal desires and responsibilities to others? How did you navigate those moments, and what impact did they have on you?
• Maud’s dedication to preserving her husband’s vision and later protecting Judy Garland’s well-being shows her resilience and sense of justice. Is there a cause or value that you feel strongly about and would go to great lengths to defend? How does Maud’s journey resonate with your approach to standing up for what you believe in?
• Maud eventually learns to trust the creative process, both in terms of her husband’s work and the film adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. Have you ever faced a situation where you needed to let go of control and trust someone else’s vision? How did that experience shape your understanding of collaboration and trust?
• Maud believes in the transformative power of stories as a source of hope and a means of escaping reality. Reflecting on this theme, is there a story, book, or film that has provided you with comfort or inspiration? How does it help you connect with this work’s themes of resilience and hope?

3. Societal and Cultural Context

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• The novel highlights the impact of gender roles and societal expectations on both Maud’s early life and Judy Garland’s experiences in Hollywood. How do Maud’s fight for her husband’s legacy and Judy’s struggle with Hollywood’s demands reflect broader issues of gender inequality? Do you see similar struggles for women’s recognition and autonomy in certain industries or roles today?
• Finding Dorothy sheds light on the behind-the-scenes challenges of making The Wizard of Oz, including the exploitation and mistreatment of Judy Garland. How does the novel comment on the cost of fame and the entertainment industry’s demands on young actors? In what ways does Hollywood still grapple with issues of power dynamics and exploitation?
• Maud’s mother, Matilda, was an active suffragist, deeply influencing Maud’s values and independence. How does the novel illustrate the impact of the suffrage movement on Maud’s choices and worldview? In what ways does the novel encourage readers to consider the importance of advocating for equality in today’s cultural landscape?

4. Literary Analysis

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• Finding Dorothy alternates between Maud’s past with her husband, Frank Baum, and her experiences in Hollywood years later. How does this dual timeline structure shape the reader’s understanding of Maud’s character arc and the overall themes of legacy and memory? What impact does this structure have on the emotional depth of the story?
• Maud’s character is contrasted with figures like her mother, Matilda, and her husband, Frank. How do these contrasting relationships illuminate different aspects of Maud’s personality and values? How does her role evolve when she shifts her focus from protecting the story of Oz to protecting Judy Garland?
• The theme of storytelling, symbolized by the rainbow in “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” is central to both Maud’s and Frank’s philosophies. How does the rainbow serve as a symbol in Maud’s journey? What does it reveal about her eventual acceptance of Frank’s idealism and her trust in Judy?
• The novel juxtaposes formal education with life experience through Maud’s upbringing and her mother’s expectations. How does Letts use this contrast as a tool to shape Maud’s interactions and decisions throughout the narrative? How does Maud’s evolving stance on this theme, particularly in her guidance of Judy Garland, reflect changes in her character and enrich the story’s exploration of wisdom and empathy?
• Oz becomes more than just a story for Maud—it symbolizes her connection to Frank and her journey toward self-understanding. How does Letts employ The Wizard of Oz as a literary symbol to deepen themes of identity, legacy, and healing? In what ways does Maud’s attachment to Oz provide a lens through which she processes grief, hope, and her enduring love for Frank?
• Characters like Louis Mayer remain relatively static, while Maud’s character undergoes significant transformation. How does Letts use static and dynamic characters to highlight the cultural and moral contrasts between Hollywood and Maud’s world? What does Maud’s growth reveal about the novel’s stance on resilience and personal values in the face of changing times?

5. Creative Engagement

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• Imagine Maud creates a memory box filled with items representing the most significant moments and people in her life—her mother, Frank, her suffragist roots, and her time on The Wizard of Oz set. What items do you think she would include in this memory box, and why? How would each object capture an element of her journey, her values, or her legacy?
• Picture Maud and Judy exchanging letters after the filming of The Wizard of Oz. What advice or encouragement might Maud offer Judy as she navigates life in Hollywood? Write a letter from Maud to Judy capturing their bond and the wisdom Maud would want to impart to Judy as a young actress in a challenging environment.
• Maud’s life is filled with themes of resilience, growth, and nurturing legacies. Imagine designing a garden that represents her journey and values. What types of flowers, trees, or other natural elements would you include to symbolize key aspects of her story—her strength, her relationship with Frank, or her protective nature toward Judy and Oz? Describe how each element in the garden would reflect a part of her life.

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