Epigraph

‘Tis very strange Men should be so fond of being thought wickeder than they are.

—DANIEL DEFOE, A SYSTEM OF MAGICK

In historical events great men—so called—are but the labels that serve to give a name to an event, and like labels, they have the last possible connection with the event itself. Every action of theirs, that seems to them an act of their own free will, is in an historical sense not free at all, but in bondage to the whole course of previous history, and predestined from all eternity.

—LEO NIKOLAEVICH TOLSTOI, WAR AND PEACE

“Well,” said the Head, “I will give you my answer. You have no right to expect me to send you back to Kansas unless you do something for me in return. In this country everyone must pay for everything he gets. If you wish me to use my magic power to send you home again you must do something for me first. Help me and I will help you.” “What must I do?” asked the girl. “Kill the wicked Witch of the West,” answered Oz.

—L. FRANK BAUM, THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ