1. Dorothy's Desire to Return Home: This is the central conflict of the story. Dorothy is desperately homesick and wants to return to Kansas. This desire fuels her journey and motivates her actions throughout the film.
2. External Conflicts:
* The Wicked Witch of the West: This is the primary antagonist, driven by a desire for power and revenge against Dorothy for accidentally killing her sister. She creates numerous obstacles for Dorothy and her companions, including trying to kidnap Dorothy and stealing her ruby slippers.
* The Wicked Witch of the East: Though she is killed early in the film, her death motivates the Witch of the West and sets the plot in motion.
* The Wizard: While initially portrayed as a powerful and benevolent figure, the Wizard turns out to be a fraud, using fear and deception to maintain his authority. This creates a conflict of expectations for Dorothy and her companions.
3. Internal Conflicts:
* Dorothy's Self-Doubt: Despite being surrounded by friends, Dorothy often doubts her abilities and fears she will not succeed in reaching the Wizard. This inner conflict is particularly evident when she faces the challenges presented by the Witch of the West.
* The Scarecrow's Lack of Brains, the Tin Man's Lack of Heart, and the Cowardly Lion's Lack of Courage: These characters face internal conflicts related to their perceived inadequacies, which they hope the Wizard can fix.
4. The Theme of Home and Belonging: This is a recurring theme throughout the film. Dorothy's desire to return home is not simply about geographical location but about feeling safe, loved, and accepted. The characters' journey to the Emerald City can be interpreted as a quest for self-acceptance and finding their place in the world.
5. The Conflict Between Good and Evil: The film pits the forces of good, represented by Dorothy and her friends, against the forces of evil embodied by the Wicked Witch of the West. This struggle highlights the importance of courage, compassion, and friendship in overcoming adversity.
Ultimately, the conflict in The Wizard of Oz is resolved through Dorothy's realization that home is not just a physical location, but a feeling that can be found anywhere with the people she loves. She learns that she already possesses the qualities she seeks from the Wizard, and that her journey has been a journey of self-discovery.