What is the deeper meaning of the wonderful wizard of oz. The wonderful wizard of oz first appeared in 1900, and was so successful that another books by the original author relating the adventures of its characters followed. Christian sermons have discussed the wizard of ozs biblical meanings. It was adapted into a broadway musical by baum in 1902, and then into its first. The wonderful wizard of oz amazonclassics edition kindle. The political and economic symbols hidden inside the wizard of oz.
This updated edition includes numerous photos and shares hundreds of interviews with cameramen, screenwriters, costume designers, directors. Daniel oz osbourne, a fictional character created by joss whedon for the tv series buffy the vampire slayer the wonderful wizard of oz, a childrens book written by l. In reality, the wizard of oz deserves to be placed alongside all the other classic works of literature that have been officially categorized as political allegory or commentary. The 1939 film starring a young judy garland was based on lyman frank baums book, the wonderful wizard of oz, published in 1900.
No, the wizard of oz and the wonderful wizard of oz are the same stories, with different titles. The wonderful wizard of oz is too long to be a parable and not quite didactic enough to be an allegory. Ray bolger as the scarecrow, the wizard of oz 1939 the scarecrow represents those farmers. Political interpretations of the wonderful wizard of oz wikipedia. Does the wonderful wizard of oz contain a political agenda. The wizard of oz also functions as a spiritual allegory, showing people how they can make miracles happen in even the most difficult of circumstances just by relying on the natural gifts they. The symbolic meaning of the wizard of oz depends upon the inclinations of the reader of the original 1900 book edition or the viewer of the beloved 1939 film version. They give the main characters a reason to keep going.
The wizard of oz film symbols, allegory and motifs gradesaver. Apr 05, 2017 frank baums classic childrens novel the wonderful wizard of oz was published in 1900. He wrote thirteen additional oz books, and the film adaptation staring. Averill has spent years researching the effect of the book and movie on kansas culture both blessing. A deadly flower might seem curious at first, but poppies, of course, are no ordinary bloom. The entire story of the wizard of oz is an allegorical tale of the souls path to illumination the yellow brick road. Wizard of oz friday, 12 september 2014 by bruce rawles any movie, just as any life experience from our spacetime projected cinema, can be interpreted by our inner kindness teacher in a way that leads us home to where weve never left. Prices had fallen by about 22% over the previous 16 years, causing huge debt. Both the book and the film the wizard of oz feature iconic scenes of dorothy, toto, and the cowardly lion the only flesh and blood members of the gang, lulled to sleep by a field of poisonous poppies. Oh, my, and theres no place like home, are ones that will always pop into our heads when someone. Speculation of the parallels between the characters in the book and history of the united states began with a history teacher by the name of henry littlefield. Salman rushdie, a noted fan of the wizard of oz who wrote a pretty amazing bfi classics book on the film, believes that one of the things that makes oz so powerful is that it lays bare the. Dec 04, 2012 wizard of oz symbolism the wizard of oz is a nostalgic tale of dorothy, a young farm girl from kansas, who is swept away to a magical land by a tornado. Neill, who illustrated all of the sequels, continued to include these.
Populism and the world of oz national museum of american. A modern fairy tale with a distinctly american setting. A modern fairy tale with a distinctly american setting, a delightfully levelheaded and assertive heroine, and engaging fantasy characters, the story was enormously popular and became a classic of childrens literature. The question and answer section for the wizard of oz film is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. Dorothy gale, the lead character of the wonderful wizard of oz, is an 11yearold orphan girl who resides in. Judy garland as dorothy gale, in the 1939 film the wizard of oz.
Political interpretations of the wonderful wizard of oz include treatments of the modern fairy. It told of an orphaned kansas girl swept by a tornado into a fantastical world, but who wants to return home to her aunt and uncle. The wizard of oz follows the story of dorothy, a young farm girl from kansas. Dec 10, 20 the book, therefore, is supposedly an allegory of these historical events making the information easier to understand. More than just a childrens story by lauren houlberg the wizard of oz is a classic, a legend, and a childrens story that will never grow old. The movie is based on the childrens book the wonderful wizard of oz by l. They travel along the yellow brick road the gold standard to see the wizard, who could represent president grover cleveland or william mckinley. The wonderful wizard of oz is an american childrens novel written by author l. The wonderful wizard of oz is often referred to as the first american fairy tale.
The films star, judy garland, was launched into the stratosphere of hollywood stardom, and promised her a long career as a hollywood actress. The scarecrow thinks he doesnt have a brain, which parallels the view that easterners in the country had of the farmers of the midwest region, as being generally irrational, uneducated, and ignorant. Dorothys journey in the land of oz symbolized mans journey through the afterlife to rebirth. The green of the emerald city represents the dollar. Heres the real, forgotten meaning of the wizard of oz. Is there a hidden political allegory in the wizard of oz. Theosophists wrote about a golden path that led through the blue sky to heaven. An early silent film of the story of the wonderful wizard of oz was created in 1910, and in 1925, a fulllength silent feature was created with the help of baums son baum died in 1919. Both versions tell the story of dorothy gale and her adorable dog toto getting stranded in a fantastical land by a tornado, and both include the iconic characters of the scarecrow, cowardly lion, tin man, glinda the good witch, and the. In the book and the play the shoes are silver, not ruby as they were famously depicted in the 1939 film. Frank baum, who went on to write fourteen fulllength oz books. The wizard of oz film symbols, allegory and motifs. Wizard definition of wizard by the free dictionary.
Mar 06, 2017 in his introduction to the wonderful wizard of oz, l. To a child who reads this book soon after she or he learns to read, this book represents magic wonderful, pure, magnificent fairytale. Notably, the wonderful wizard of oz offered a paean to strong women at a moment when suffragettes were agitating for the vote. Political interpretations of the wonderful wizard of oz include treatments of the modern fairy tale written by l. What is the deeper meaning of the wonderful wizard of oz by l. Carl jung and later joseph campbell described how certain symbols and motifs appear in mythology, fairy tales, stories, and religions throughout the world.
The wonderful wizard of oz has been adapted to other media numerous times, most famously in the wizard of oz, the 1939 film starring judy garland, ray bolger, jack haley, and bert lahr. In the wizard of oz, the yellow brick road and dorothys slippers, which were silver in the book, referenced the eras debates over the gold standard and use of silver coin. Only dorothys silver slippers can take her home to kansas, meaning that by dorothy not realizing that she had the. Oz itself is the abbreviation for ounce, which is the standard for measuring gold. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. In addition, it also stands as a tribute to the spiritual tradition of selfhelp and selfreliance, which can bring us happiness and freedom if we are willing to surrender to god and live fully in the wisdom, strength, and clarity that are our natural birthrights. The wizard of oz has remained a classic american film since its creation in 1939. In the wonderful wizard of oz, dreams are sort of silly. Some elements of the story are traditional its not like baum invented witchcraft, but other parts feel fresh and particularly american. Oct 08, 2009 although the wizard of oz is widely perceived as an innocent childrens fairy tale, it is almost impossible not to attribute symbolic meaning to dorothys quest. Thinking the great wizard of oz can grant her wish, she sets out to meet him with her beloved dog, toto, joined by a scarecrow, a tin woodman and a lion.
Although the wizard of oz is widely perceived as an innocent childrens fairy tale, it is almost impossible not to attribute symbolic meaning to dorothys quest. Strange tales and forgotten stories about the wizard of oz. Hidden christian themes in the wizard of oz faith and. The wonderful wizard of oz is considered by some to be the first american fairy tale because of its references to clear american locations such as kansas and omaha. Frank baum wrote the childrens fantasy book the wonderful wizard of oz in 1900. In said book, dorothy represents traditional american values. Yet the original oz book conceals an unsuspected depth.
These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of the wizard of oz film by richard thorpe. The wizard of oz and its hidden political agenda youtube. In the wonderful wizard of oz, dreams are serious business. A modern fairy tale with a distinctly american setting, a delightfully levelheaded heroine, and engaging fantasy characters, the story was enormously popular and became a classic of childrens literature. The story itself starts and ends in the american heartland, on a kansas farm. It is filled with symbols and metaphors, all pointing to other things.
The scarecrow portrays the american farmer, while the tin man represents the workers and the cowardly lion depicts william jennings bryan. Released in conjunction with the 75thanniversary dvd release of the wizard of oz, this book is the definitive story of how one of americas most beloved movies was made and a marvelous, unprecedented examination of how hollywood used to make movies. The original 1900 edition of the first book in the royal histories of oz series by lyman frank. Dorothy gale, the lead character of the wonderful wizard of oz, is an 11yearold orphan girl who resides in kansas with her aunt em and uncle henry. Is the wizard of oz a book full of political and religious propaganda. But while the wizard of oz as a political satire makes fun of politics and the pomposity it breeds, there is something more to the book than just this. The wonderful wizard of oz, the book that made baum a household name at the turn of the 20th century, has proven to be as timeless and as culturally influential as any childrens book ever.
Frank baum, literature essays, a complete etext, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. But some scholars have found hidden criticisms of late. The oz books form a book series that begins with the wonderful wizard of oz 1900 and relate the fictional history of the land of oz. It had a successful sevenyear run, during which time baum continued to write oz books. This book presents the fix to feelings of grumbling and victimization that we feel as employees, leaders, and other circumstances in which we pursue a.
The original book sold over 1,000,000 copies by the end of the 1930s. The wizard of oz is famous for its unprecedented and innovative technicolor and beautiful set pieces. This symbolizes the cynicism that exists in politics due to the fact that politicians tend to change face. The wonderful wizard of oz study guide contains a biography of l. Political interpretations of the wonderful wizard of oz. This definition presents the backbone of the oz principles philosophy which roger connors follows through to unpack. The dark side you never knew about the wizard of oz. The wizard of oz is more than just a childrens story.
The main characters all long for things they already have. Frank baum and originally published in 1900, may have been inspired by the reallife economic struggles during the gold standard. Nov 09, 2016 both the book and the film the wizard of oz feature iconic scenes of dorothy, toto, and the cowardly lion the only flesh and blood members of the gang, lulled to sleep by a field of poisonous poppies. Frank baum claims that the book is simply an innocent childrens story. Author and oz series originator frank lyman baum may 15, 1856may 6, 1919 isnt known to have left any indication of a symbolic meaning to his story or its characters. The wizard of oz simple english wikipedia, the free. Other putative allegorical devices of the book include the wicked witch of the west as a figure for the actual. All of the baum written books are in the public domain in the united states. Frank baum wrote 14 wizard of oz books, but his biggest home run was 1900s the wonderful wizard of oz, which mgm turned into a wonderful wizard of oz movie. Frank baums classic childrens novel the wonderful wizard of oz was published in 1900. What is the meaning of the title the wizard of oz answers. Until this version, the book had inspired a number of now less well known stage and screen adaptations, including a profitable 1902 broadway musical and three. As in all great stories, the characters and the symbols of the wizard of oz can be given a second layer of interpretation, which may vary depending on the readers perception.
The wonderful wizard of oz amazonclassics edition kindle edition by baum, l. Scores of others by different authors have followed since. Written in 1900, it was surrounded by arguments about populism and bimetalism. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the wonderful wizard of oz amazonclassics edition. During her travels she encounters a number of characters, some good, some bad. Aug 19, 2014 the wizard of oz is now almost universally acknowledged to be the earliest truly feminist american childrens book, because of spunky and tenacious dorothy, wrote the american literary. The wizard of oz was put to music and went on broadway in 1903. The wonderful wizard of oz 1939, like many fairy tales depicting a series of fantastic adventures, is really the story of an individuals inner journeya story of personality integration and coming of age. Over the years, both book and movie have fueled a number of elaborate theories as to the storys deeper meanings. Frank baum and originally published in 1900, may have been inspired by the reallife economic struggles. In addition, it also stands as a tribute to the spiritual tradition of selfhelp and selfreliance, which can bring us happiness and freedom if we are willing to surrender to god and live fully in the wisdom, strength, and clarity that are our. Frank baum put hidden symbols in his book the wonderful wizard of oz. Both versions tell the story of dorothy gale and her adorable dog toto getting stranded in a fantastical land by a tornado, and both include the iconic characters of the scarecrow, cowardly lion, tin man, glinda the good witch. The occult roots of the wizard of oz the vigilant citizen.
The movie that was created after the book lost the true intentions of the author by taking out important details and flipping the books meaning. The wonderful wizard of oz, childrens book written by l. Aug 24, 2014 in the wizard of oz, the yellow brick road and dorothys slippers, which were silver in the book, referenced the eras debates over the gold standard and use of silver coin. What is the deeper meaning of the wonderful wizard of oz by. He wrote thirteen additional oz books, and the film adaptation staring judy garland was released in 1939. Christian sermons have discussed the wizard of oz s biblical meanings, comparing dorothys song over the rainbow to the end of the tale of noahfrom the book. The wizard of oz film essays are academic essays for citation. In the book, the tin man, scarecrow and dorothy all saw the wizard quite differently. Quotes from the story such as toto, i have a feeling were not in kansas anymore, lions, and tigers, and bears. It was produced by mgm and released by rko in 1939. What is the symbolic meaning of the wizard of oz answers. Still, the main characters dorothy, the scarecrow, the tin woodman, and the lion embody traditional american values. The symbolism hidden within the wizard of oz many people believe that the wizard of oz was and is an allegory for the radically new state of affairs that existed in america in the 1930s, following the stock market crash and the bankruptcy of the united states government which.
The wonderful wizard of oz 1939, like many fairy tales depicting a series of fantastic. Come take a tour, visit our exhibitions, and view the gorgeous main reading room. The book, therefore, is supposedly an allegory of these historical events making the information easier to understand. In his reading of the wizard of oz, littlefield believed that dorothy was a standin for the average american, and that the magic silver shoes represented the late 1890s free silver movement. Baum published the book in 1900, just after the us emerged from a period of deflation and depression. In buddhism and an important part of theosophical teachings the same concept is referred to as the golden path. Sep 02, 2016 the wonderful wizard of oz 1939, like many fairy tales depicting a series of fantastic adventures, is really the story of an individuals inner journeya story of personality integration and coming of age. The wizard of oz was about the gold standard the reformed. Many people are not aware that the wonderful wizard of oz is suspected to have referenced several political issues of the late 1800s. Frank baum and first published in 1900 as an allegory or metaphor for the political, economic, and social events of america in the 1890s. Both versions tell the story of dorothy gale and her adorable dog toto getting stranded in a fantastical land by a tornado, and both include the iconic characters of the scarecrow.
The symbolism hidden within the wizard of oz jabajabba. As a theosophist, baum believed in a literal afterlife. Baum agreed with authors such as carroll that fantasy literature was important for children, along with numerous illustrations, but he also wanted to create a story that had recognizable american elements in it, such as farming and industrialization. On a stormy and dark day she is swept away in a tornado and lands in a faraway land of the munchkins. The political and economic symbols hidden inside the. It occurred to me that at different chronological stages of ones life, a great book, such as the wonderful wizard of oz, mean different things.
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