Synopsis: This curriculum unit explores the novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, written by L. Frank Baum in 1900 and how it was revolutionary for its time period. Baum created the main character Dorothy Gale and broke the mold of the previous portrayals of female characters in its contemporaries of children’s literature. Dorothy was a strong, brave soul who went on an unexpected adventure with four friends in a magical land. She was equally as helpful as her male companions and often acted more courageous than they. Looking at other stories, the female main characters were weepy, obedient, and stayed in their traditional gender roles as helpers. They were in great contrast to how Baum created Dorothy, who was greatly influenced by his mother-in-law, Matilda Gage. Gage was a great supporter of the Woman’s Suffrage movement, which is a wonderful connection to the other novel I will explore in this unit entitled The Hope Chest. The Hope Chest was set during the 1920s during the Suffrage era and shows another female character who also goes on a dangerous and life-altering adventure. I want my students to read and compare both novels and main characters to distinguish the similarities and differences between the two.