a good thesis statement for the wizard of oz

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Introduction.

Welcome to the enchanting world of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz ! 🌪️✨ Written by Frank L. Baum and first published in 1900, this timeless classic has captivated readers of all ages with its magical journey through the vibrant Land of Oz. Frank L. Baum, an American author of children’s books, cleverly combined fantasy with real-world morals, creating a story that’s not just about adventure but also about the search for identity, courage, heart, and wisdom.

Set in a fantasy world filled with witches, wizards, and talking animals, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz falls into the genre of children’s literature but is celebrated for its appeal to adults as well. The story begins with a young girl named Dorothy, who is swept away from her grayscale life in Kansas to the colorful and bewildering Land of Oz by a tornado. With her faithful dog, Toto, by her side, she sets off on a journey to find the Wizard of Oz , who she believes can help her return home.

The book was revolutionary for its time, departing from the traditional European fairy tales to introduce characters and a setting that were distinctly American. Baum’s engaging writing style, combined with W.W. Denslow’s captivating illustrations, made the story a bestseller. Beyond its entertainment value, the book has been interpreted as a political allegory and a commentary on the socio-economic realities of the time, though Baum himself claimed that its primary purpose was to entertain children.

So, grab your ruby slippers (or just a comfy seat), and let’s embark on a journey to the Emerald City, uncovering the magic and mysteries of Oz. 🌈🏰

Plot Summary

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz unfolds in a series of captivating events, whisking readers away on a journey filled with danger, friendship, and discovery. Here’s a detailed look at the key moments in the story:

Exposition — The tale begins with Dorothy, a young girl living in Kansas with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. A tornado unexpectedly transports Dorothy and her dog, Toto, to the magical Land of Oz. The house lands on and kills the Wicked Witch of the East, freeing the Munchkins from her tyranny. Dorothy’s only desire is to return home to Kansas.

Rising Action — To find her way back, Dorothy must visit the Emerald City and seek the help of the mysterious Wizard of Oz. Along the way, she meets and befriends the Scarecrow, who wishes for a brain; the Tin Woodman, who desires a heart; and the Cowardly Lion, who seeks courage. They journey together, hoping the Wizard can fulfill their wishes.

Climax — Upon reaching the Emerald City, the Wizard tasks them with killing the Wicked Witch of the West before he will grant their wishes. This leads to a series of perilous adventures in which they face and overcome various challenges, demonstrating the qualities they believe they lack: intelligence, compassion, and bravery.

Falling Action — After the defeat of the Wicked Witch of the West, the group returns to the Wizard. However, they discover he is not a wizard at all but an ordinary man from Omaha who landed in Oz by accident. Using his ingenuity, he provides the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion with symbolic gifts that represent the qualities they have shown throughout their journey.

Resolution — The true power to return Dorothy home lies in the silver shoes she has worn since arriving in Oz. Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, reveals that the shoes can take Dorothy anywhere she wishes to go. Dorothy bids farewell to her friends and clicks her heels together three times, wishing to return home. She awakens in Kansas, surrounded by her loved ones, with the silver shoes lost in transit. The adventure reaffirms the values of home, friendship, and self-belief.

This plot, woven with elements of fantasy and real-world morality, captures the essence of adventure and the search for one’s heart’s desires, making The Wonderful Wizard of Oz a cherished story across generations.

Character Analysis

In The Wonderful Wizard of Oz , each character embarks on a journey not just across the magical Land of Oz but also towards self-discovery and personal growth. Here’s a look at the main characters and their development:

Dorothy — A young girl from Kansas, Dorothy is characterized by her innocence, determination, and strong sense of home. Throughout her adventures in Oz, she displays courage and compassion, acting as the unifying force among her companions. Dorothy’s quest to return home underscores the theme of the importance of family and the comfort of the familiar.

Scarecrow — Initially believing he lacks a brain and, therefore, the ability to think, the Scarecrow actually demonstrates cleverness and resourcefulness throughout the journey. His desire for a brain reflects a quest for self-improvement and knowledge. The Scarecrow’s evolution from a self-doubting pile of straw to a confident leader of the Emerald City encapsulates the theme of self-belief and the power of perception.

Tin Woodman — The Tin Woodman believes he lacks a heart, symbolizing the ability to love and feel compassion. However, he consistently acts with kindness and empathy, suggesting that his true nature is very much capable of love. His journey is one of realizing that he already possesses the qualities he seeks, embodying the theme of the inherent goodness within individuals.

Cowardly Lion — Believing himself to lack courage because he feels fear, the Cowardly Lion actually exhibits bravery numerous times. His journey teaches him that true courage is acting in the face of fear, not the absence of fear itself. This realization highlights the theme of understanding and accepting one’s emotions.

The Wizard of Oz — A charlatan who uses elaborate tricks to appear powerful and wise, the Wizard’s true identity is an ordinary man from Omaha. His use of smoke and mirrors to project an image of power speaks to the themes of illusion vs. reality and the idea that true power and wisdom come from within.

The Wicked Witch of the West — Representing the quintessential villain , her defeat is necessary for Dorothy and her friends to achieve their goals. Despite her evil actions, her vulnerability to water reveals that even the most formidable adversaries have weaknesses.

Glinda, the Good Witch of the South — Symbolizing benevolence and wisdom, Glinda guides Dorothy to discover her own strength and the means to return home. She represents the mentor figure that helps the protagonist realize their potential.

Character Analysis Summary

Each character’s journey in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a mirror to their inner struggles and triumphs, showcasing Baum’s ability to weave depth and moral lessons into a fantastical narrative .

Themes and Symbols

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is rich with themes and symbols that contribute to its enduring appeal and depth. Here’s a look at the major themes and symbols:

The Quest for Identity — Each main character’s journey is symbolic of the quest for self-discovery and fulfillment. Dorothy’s longing to return home represents the universal search for one’s place in the world, while her companions’ desires for a brain, heart, and courage symbolize the human pursuit of knowledge, love, and bravery.

The Illusion of Power — The Wizard’s portrayal as a powerful figure when he is, in fact, an ordinary man highlights the theme that true power and wisdom come from within and not from external appearances or authority. This theme is reinforced by the characters discovering their own strengths throughout their journey.

The Nature of True Courage — The Cowardly Lion’s quest for courage despite being fearful demonstrates that real courage involves acting in the face of fear. This theme challenges the notion that bravery means a lack of fear, suggesting instead that bravery is about confronting and overcoming one’s fears.

The Importance of Home — “There’s no place like home” becomes a central theme as Dorothy’s journey underscores the comfort, safety, and love associated with home. This theme reflects the idea that while one may seek adventure and discovery, the familiar and familial is where true happiness lies.

The Symbolism of the Yellow Brick Road — Serving as the path Dorothy and her friends must follow, the Yellow Brick Road symbolizes the journey of life, with its many twists, turns, and obstacles. It suggests that while the path may not always be straight or easy, it leads to self-discovery and realization.

The Silver Shoes (Ruby Slippers in Film Adaptations) — The shoes symbolize the inner strength and potential that Dorothy possesses but is initially unaware of. They remind readers that often, the power to achieve our desires lies within us, waiting to be recognized and utilized.

The Emerald City — As a place where Dorothy and her companions seek to find the answers to their desires, the Emerald City symbolizes the elusive nature of fulfillment and the discovery that what one seeks may not always be found in the expected places or forms.

The Duality of Good vs. Evil — Represented by the witches of the East, West, South, and North, the theme of good versus evil is a classic motif explored in the narrative . It emphasizes the balance between benevolence and malevolence in the world and the role of choice and morality in determining one’s path.

These themes and symbols work together to create a narrative that is both entertaining and profound, offering readers insights into human nature and the values of courage, intelligence, heart, and home.

Writing Style and Tone

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Frank L. Baum showcases a distinctive writing style and tone that have contributed significantly to its status as a classic in children’s literature. Here’s a deeper look at these aspects:

• Narrative Style — Baum’s narrative style is straightforward and accessible, designed to captivate both young and adult readers. He employs a third-person omniscient perspective that allows readers to understand the thoughts and feelings of Dorothy and her companions, making the fantastical journey through Oz relatable and engaging.
• Tone — The tone of the book is generally light and whimsical, fitting the story’s setting in a magical land filled with talking animals, witches, and fantastical beings. However, Baum skillfully interweaves moments of tension and darkness, particularly in the encounters with the Wicked Witch of the West, to balance the narrative and maintain suspense.
• Use of Imagery — Baum’s vivid descriptions of the Land of Oz and its inhabitants play a crucial role in the story. The colorful imagery, from the sparkling Emerald City to the varied landscapes Dorothy and her friends traverse, captures the imagination and transports readers to a world of wonder.
• Language — The language used is simple yet evocative, making it accessible to children while still offering depth and humor that adults can appreciate. Baum’s clever use of dialogue , especially among the main characters, highlights their distinct personalities and the development of their friendships.
• Themes and Symbolism — Through his writing, Baum explores themes of identity, courage, and the search for one’s heart’s desires in a manner that is both engaging and thought-provoking. The symbolic use of the Yellow Brick Road, the Emerald City, and other elements within the story adds layers of meaning to the adventure .
• Humor — Baum incorporates humor throughout the narrative , often through character interactions and the absurdities of the situations they find themselves in. This not only adds to the book’s charm but also helps to lighten the moments of conflict and danger.
• Moral Lessons — The story is imbued with moral lessons that are woven into the plot and character arcs. These lessons, such as the importance of self-belief, the value of friendship, and the definition of true bravery, are presented in a manner that is implicit and nurturing, rather than didactic.

The combination of these elements results in a writing style and tone that are both enchanting and meaningful, offering readers an immersive experience that is both entertaining and enlightening. Baum’s approach to storytelling in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has ensured its place as a beloved classic, resonating with audiences across generations.

Literary Devices used in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

In The Wonderful Wizard of Oz , L. Frank Baum masterfully employs a variety of literary devices to enrich his storytelling and impart depth to the narrative . Here are the top 10 devices used:

• Symbolism — The objects and characters in Baum’s tale often symbolize broader concepts. For example, Dorothy’s silver shoes represent the idea that individuals have the power within themselves to achieve their desires. The Yellow Brick Road can be seen as a symbol of the journey of life, with all its challenges and rewards.
• Allegory — Some interpretations suggest that Baum’s story functions as an allegory for the political, economic, and social events of America in the late 19th century. For example, the Scarecrow could represent American farmers, the Tin Woodman could symbolize industrial workers, and the Cowardly Lion might stand for politicians of the time.
• Imagery — Baum uses vivid descriptions to bring the fantastical Land of Oz to life. This imagery not only paints a colorful picture of the setting but also enhances the emotional and thematic depth of the story.
• Foreshadowing — Throughout the narrative , Baum hints at events that will occur later in the story. This literary device is used to build anticipation and foreshadow the challenges the characters will face and overcome.
• Irony — There is a notable use of irony in how the characters believe they lack certain qualities (brain, heart, courage) when, in fact, they demonstrate these attributes throughout their journey. This irony emphasizes the theme of self-discovery.
• Metaphor — The entire journey can be seen as a metaphor for personal growth and the search for one’s identity. Each character’s quest for something they believe they lack mirrors the human experience of seeking personal fulfillment.
• Alliteration — Baum occasionally uses alliteration to add a lyrical quality to his prose , making the narrative more engaging and memorable.
• Personification — By giving human qualities to animals (Toto) and inanimate objects (the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman), Baum creates a world where the boundaries between the human and non-human are blurred, emphasizing the universal nature of desire and consciousness.
• Parallelism — The structure of the story, with its repeated encounters with various obstacles and characters, creates a sense of rhythm and reinforces the themes of persistence and the importance of companionship.
• Hyperbole — Exaggeration is used for dramatic effect, particularly in the descriptions of the characters’ feats and the dangers they face. This not only enhances the tension but also contributes to the story’s fairy-tale quality.

These literary devices work together to weave a rich tapestry that is The Wonderful Wizard of Oz , making it a complex and layered work that appeals to readers of all ages.

Literary Devices Examples

Each table showcases examples of literary devices Baum used in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz , illustrating how these elements contribute to the richness and depth of the story, enhancing both its narrative and thematic dimensions.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz – FAQs

What is the main theme of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz? The main theme revolves around the quest for self-discovery and the realization that the qualities the characters seek — brains, heart, courage — are within them all along. It also explores themes of home, friendship, and the illusion of power.

Who is the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and when was it published? L. Frank Baum is the author, and the book was first published in 1900.

What literary devices are used in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz? The book employs various literary devices, including symbolism, allegory, imagery, foreshadowing, irony, metaphor, alliteration, personification, parallelism, and hyperbole.

Are there any political interpretations of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz? Yes, some interpretations view the book as an allegory for the political, economic, and social events of the United States in the late 19th century, though Baum himself claimed his purpose was to entertain children.

What is the significance of the Emerald City in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz? The Emerald City represents the often-elusive nature of fulfillment and dreams. It is where the characters hope to find what they seek, only to discover that the qualities they aspire to have been within them all along.

How does The Wonderful Wizard of Oz end? The story concludes with Dorothy using the power of the silver shoes to return home to Kansas, realizing that her heart’s greatest desire was to be with her family and that “there’s no place like home.”

What does the Yellow Brick Road symbolize in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz? The Yellow Brick Road symbolizes the journey of life, complete with its challenges, lessons, and the need for endurance, courage, and support from friends.

Was The Wonderful Wizard of Oz intended to have sequels? While the immediate success of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz led to its sequel, The Marvelous Land of Oz, and eventually to a series of 14 books, it’s unclear if Baum initially intended to create a series. However, the popularity of the first book certainly paved the way for more stories in the Land of Oz.

How does Baum portray the concept of home in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz? Baum portrays home as the ultimate destination of comfort, love, and belonging. Despite the wonders and adventures Dorothy experiences in Oz, her desire to return to Kansas highlights the importance of home as a place of safety and familial love.

This quiz is designed to test your comprehension of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz . Each question focuses on different aspects of the book, including its plot, characters, themes, and literary devices.

Spot the Literary Devices

Read the following paragraph from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and identify the literary devices used. Below, find the answers separated by a line.

“The road to the City of Emeralds is paved with yellow brick,” said the Witch, “so you cannot miss it. When you get to Oz, do not be afraid of him, but tell your story and ask him to help you. Goodbye, my dear.” The little girl shook hands with the Witch, who disappeared in the midst of a cloud of smoke.

• Symbolism — The “yellow brick” road symbolizes the journey of life, filled with directions, choices, and the pursuit of one’s goals.
• Imagery — Descriptions of the “City of Emeralds” and the “road paved with yellow brick” create vivid images in the reader’s mind, enhancing the magical setting of the story.
• Foreshadowing — The Witch’s instructions to Dorothy foreshadow the challenges she will face and the importance of her mission in Oz.
• Personification — The Witch disappearing “in the midst of a cloud of smoke” personifies the smoke, giving it a mystical quality that enhances the fantasy element of the narrative .

“The Wizard of Oz”: Disputes, Influences, and Achievements Research Paper

Introduction, controversy, creative methods, influences and achievements.

The wizard of OZ is one of American’s children literature. The literature is liked by the children because of its interesting stories full of humorous personalities and exciting adventures. Adults claim to like it because when they read between the lines of the literature they can observe a variety of images of the United States when it was ushering in the 20th century. The literature has been printed countless times under the title The Wizard of OZ; this is the name that has been used on stage play since 1902 and the most popular, highly acclaimed film of 1939. This film aired an adventure story of a girl known as Dorothy in the land of OZ. The wonderful wizard of OZ was written by Lyman Frank Baum, a renowned poet, dramatist, performer, and independent filmmaker. He was helped by WW Denslow; an illustrator of some of the most popular articles in the United States juvenile’s literature. After its initial publication, the wonderful wizard of OZ was the best-selling juvenile book for at least two years. Baum’s literature on the wizard of OZ was thought to have hidden meaning and received a lot of criticism. However, he claimed that all his writings were meant to please the children. Interpretation of the narrative was associated with the political parable of the political opinions. The populist metaphor and discussions over gold and silver created a lot of controversies. The essay addresses the controversies, creativity, influences, and achievements of the wizard of OZ.

The idea of the wizard of oz had more to merely a children’s legend arose when a history teacher published allegations that Baum’s delightful story consisted of a clever parable about the populist movement. The movement was an agrarian revolution that ran across the Middle West in the 1980s. The characters of the story are linked to the political scene of the mauve decade. The explanation was based on Baum’s experience in the field of journalism before the publication of the wizard of OZ. Baum was an editor of a small newspaper in Aberdeen, South Dakota. He had written on current affairs, politics in the late 1880s and early 1890s. It is during this time that the Populist Party was created. According to Littlefield, Baum was compassionate about the populist movement and supported William Jennings Bryan during the 1896 elections. Though he was not an activist, Baum constantly voted for democrats, in 1896 populists coupled with the democrats. The coalition supported Bryan who was vying for the presidency. Baum’s desire for political satire was evident in his second wizard of the OZ which ridicules feminism and the suffragette association. Baum’s revelation was critical even though there was no clear similarity between the wizard of OZ story and contemporary politics. The revelations were too reliable to be coincidental.

Characters and images used by Denslow and Baum resembled some politicians that were familiar in the 1890s. Baum and Denslow did not find out images of some animals which they had constantly used in their story of the wizard of OZ. The images were common subjects in the editorial column in the previous decade, they just developed a story from them and added Dorothy. Apart from adding Dorothy as a character they also added a series of teachings to the consequence that everyone had the possession of resources that they need only if they had self self-belief. Many proceedings and characters in the story resemble the real political characters, actions, and ideas of the 1890s. In the version stage of 1902, there are real individuals, who are named in the story reference by the name president Theodore Roosevelt, John D. Rockefeller, an oil magnate, and other political figures are used. The title of the book is explained as alluding to a political actuality. The abbreviation is used in several various structures of mass that constitute part of the imperial and the United States structures. Baum claimed to have gotten the name from a file cabinet but it was later noted that he mentioned current images by name and took deliberately political stands. This was without any gain of the parable including disapproval in no sure terms of a famous American integrated oil producing, refining, and selling company.

The book begins in a real place called Kansas, in the 1890s. At the time, the place was known for the difficulties of rural settings and destructive tornadoes. In 1893, there was a panic that led to a lot of distress in rural areas of the United States. Dorothy was swept away to a beautiful place by the tornado, where there are no political struggles and there are unlimited resources. Dorothy together with her house is swept by the tornados and when they land and the OZ the home went down on the wicked witch of the east, wiping out the oppressor and releasing the common people (little persons or Munchkins). The witch was for regulating strong silvers slippers that were subsequently altered to ruby by1939. The silver slippers later liberated Dorothy, but first, she had to walk on them down the golden yellow block road. She had to take silver down in the path of gold. Baum was a strong supporter of women’s suffrage, though this together with his care for minorities was not apparent.

Events and characters of the wizard of the OZ are revealed as a metaphor by Henry Littlefield. The presence of cartoons acted as a confirmation that cyclones, lions, monkeys, dogs, and scarecrows were used by political cartoonists. Baum and Denslow derived their inspiration from the most popular magazine during those times. Editorial cartoons had used the OZ image in their political cartoons such as Rogers’s cartoon of Hearst 1906 and Berryman editorial cartoon 1947 proves.

Though Baum did not indicate any political allegories in the wizard of OZ, he referred to the political events of those times in more adult-oriented literature. These literature are different but they are both in the context of progressivism focussing on frontier idealism. The actors in the wizard of OZ survive chiefly in an agrarian setting, industries existed at the level of artisans whereby goods were exchanged instead of being put up for sale. Baum values humility, generosity, and simple life as depicted in the wizard of the OZ, which is the present era in the United States. Monkeys were used in cartoon magazines to criticize politicians; winged monkeys were thought to be similar to a private United States security watch and detective group established by Allan Pinkerton. Wicked witch, referred to the actual Americans, Baum had earlier displayed sympathy for local Americans of the plains which were symbolized in the tale of winged monkeys in the west. The leader of this story tells Dorothy of a time they were free people and happy people. They used to enjoy flying from tree to tree, they used to eat the wild fruits and were at liberty to do as they used. Politicians use to talk of wizards, for instance, one senator when discussing silver and gold said that he knew about the performance of magicians.

The argument that the wizard of OZ is a smartly crafted political allegory continued to elicit more ideas. This was heightened when the similarity between Baum’s use of image and the money politics associated with the populist time was examined. Dorothy stepped on the yellow block in silver shoes, silver shoes on a golden path.

The aim was to demand free silver that is, free and limitless coins of gold and silver at a flat ratio of 16 to 1. Populists together with other free silver proponents promoted free limitless coinage of the white metal so that they could inflate the cash supply. This made it possible for money-strapped farmers and small-scale business partners to borrow money and clear debt. During the Democratic National Convention of 1896, gathered delegates proposed William Jennings Bryan as a devoted supporter of free silver for president. This cause a split in the democratic movement, as gold delegates closed the convention. Two weeks later populists gathered and decided to support Bryan but he was defeated by the republican William McKinley. The monetary politics led to the division of electorates into silverites and goldbugs, this provided the key backdrop for Baum’s parable adoption

The story uses various characters and images to create a political satire from an ordinary children’s story. Baum was able to use the most efficient satire that keeps the reader thinking and figuring the true intentions of the author. She is the hero of the tale, representing an ideal American individual. Her character represents cunning, self-respecting, rational, and a plucky person. Dorothy is similar to every person or modern idiom. The place where she lives is also described in a very creative way, this helps in bringing out the real picture of the place.

The place is described as treeless prairie, the painted naked house, sun-beaten grass, dull and dead gray. This portrays the sad state of Kansas in the late 1880s and early 1890s. Kansas has suffered a combination of disasters ranging from the scorching sun, invasion by grasshoppers, and severe winters making the place uninhabitable.

The hurricane that swept away Dorothy to OZ represents the Populist cyclone that swept across Kansas in the year 1890. The metaphor of a fire-breathing populist conversationalist was by then referred to as Kansas storm. Other creative features of the story include the Baum witch project, this is manifested when Dorothy’s storm-tossed home came to rest in OZ, and it lands exactly on the wicked witch of the east, killing her immediately. The witch symbolizes the eastern monetary – industrial concerns and their gold- the benchmark of political supporters, which is the main aim of populist venom. It is appropriate that Dorothy obtained the witch of the east’s shoes at the request of the good witch of the north. White represents good witches, about the OZ silver symbolized a white metal.

Dorothy began her journey to emerald using the yellow brick route hoping that the wizard would help on her journey back to Kansas. After walking for some miles she comes across a scared crow who knows nothing because he has no brain. The unintelligent scarecrow symbolizes the Midwestern farmers, they have suffered hardships and ridicule for long thus it has created a feeling of inferiority and doubt.

On her arrival, together with the companions, the wizard gave them the task of killing the evil witch from the west. The witch represents a composite of the slander forces of nature that destroyed the farmers from the Midwest and the power brokers of those areas. The supremacy of Dorothy’s silver shoes signifies the importance of money. The populist leaders were pictured as deceived simpletons who did not understand the real causes of their economic dilemma.

The apocalyptic oratory plans theories and fundamental agenda, which involved state ownership of the railways, set income tax, and limitless currency of silver further revealed their stupidity. Representation of the scarecrow is not one-sided, his behavior throughout the journey of OZ is characterized by a sense of resilience and rectitude. After having set free the tin man, the tri moves on in the forest, only to be approached by a lion. To emphasize the creativity of the wizard of OZ story the lion represents William Jennings Bryan, Nebraska representative in the parliament who later contests for democratic presidential position in the years 1896 and 1900. His name Bryan which rhymed with the name lion symbolizes his tendency of roaring. On some occasions, this was pictured by the press as a lion as it was with the Populist Party itself. Bryan accepted the free silver song and managed to win populist support in his political journey against McKinley. In the same case as the lion of OZ Bryan joined the party last however, he was defeated due to his failure to win the backing from eastern workers.

The failure of Bryan is just the same way the lion’s claw could not cause a feeling on the Tin Man in the story. Without realizing that he was still brave, the lion slays a spiderlike ogre that frightens other wild animals in the forest at the last part of the story. The confidence and corporation that dominated the economy were represented by the terrorizing beast. In the populist scenes, the beliefs were mostly portrayed as a monster of one form or another. The railroads had a significant impact on the business and transportation sector thus being referred to as a huge spider by Jerry Simpson.

In his later work, Baum used the control as octopus metaphor in referring to the standard oil company. Among the populist key agendas was bridging the trust and nationalization of the railroads. About the lion’s attack, and the murder of the huge beast by hitting its head, the release from the eight-legged ogre, the glad forest dwellers would have vowed fealty to the winning lion. This is considered to be the same reaction if Bryan had won over McKinley and probably kill the trust.

The diminutive rodents in the story represent ordinary people, the yellow cat acts as another symbol of the slander supremacy of gold. The killing of the wild cat by Tin Man symbolizes the slaying of the chief who was considered to be an enemy of the public. The planned support of the mice shows the significance of the ordinary folk in Bryans’s contest for the presidency. The winged monkey, the reluctant follower of the witch from the west shows further creativity of the story which also aggravates the issue of allegory. The creatures symbolize the plain Indians, leader of the monkey admits that they were great people with the freedom of moving from tree to tree and eating fruits without referring to anyone as their master. Initially, the monkeys use to be impounded, this referred to the government policy of reservation. The monkeys were forced to become bad creatures by the unnatural evil force otherwise they could have remained good creatures as they use to be. This circumstance corresponds to the ideology of reformers who accused the Indians state of the Europeans cruel practices.

The dowager empress represented the Chinese princess who turned down Dorothy’s invitation to Kansas. Dowager’s empress strongly opposed any foreigner in china; this parallels the presence of anti-imperialism that was endowed by Bryan and his followers. Yellow Winkies symbolized Asians such as Filipinos and Chinese immigrants. They worked for low wages, faced discrimination, abuse and on some occasions, they were murdered. Filipinos were considered to be unfit for self-government by the United States. The postulation that the United States understood what best for the locals was satirized in Baum’s original work in the stage version of the wizard of OZ. This is when the scarecrow commented that is not the natives in-country who know more about their country it referred to Filipino, everybody understand their country better than they do. Concerning green, silver, and gold the land of OZ is colorful.

Gold and silver supported the importance of monetary politics in the 1890s, mostly the bimetallic campaign headed by Bryan and the populists. The color of paper money was green; the greenback party campaigned for more money to be pumped into the system. In the emerald city, people were required to put on green glasses together with golden bands to make everything in the surroundings look green. Toward the end of the story, the wizard is displaced as the ruler of the emerald city by the scarecrow and the Tin Man appointed as the master of the west. The lion becomes the leader of all animals in the forest; Dorothy goes back to Kansas by snapping her silver shoes together thrice. Glinda who was the superior witch from the south contributed greatly to these achievements. Populism is triumphant and the aim of acquiring political ‘power is realized. Failure in populism occurs when Dorothy’s silvery shoes dropped in the desert and disappeared forever. The decline of the free-silver movement occurred following the defeat of Bryan by McKinley in 1896; this pronounced a political suicide for the populists. The wizard of OZ is a very creative story as all characters and images depicted the ongoing political issues. Baum was able to tie all the episodes in a story that ended becoming one of the bestselling children’s literature.

The wizard of OZ contributed greatly to the American culture, the literature was famous to both the young and the old. Though the book received a lot of critics especially from a political point of view, the only important difference that matters to a child and probably to an adult is the fact that the movie, Dorothy’s tour to OZ land is just a dream. The book engages children’s minds to be creative and take the journey and the land of OZ as an actual place for adventure. Children were delighted by the story of the wizard of OZ, they consistently to Baum requesting more interesting stories. Baum won the confidence of children, he helped them to become more creative especially in the imaginary story of the wizard of OZ, and kids had to walk with Dorothy to get the flow of the story. Apart from the children, Baum received letters from adults who also found his juvenile literature to be very thrilling. His books were among the best selling in the market and this boosted his financial status greatly. His financial victory earned him reputation and pleasures in life such as traveling. Until his death, Baum was known as the royal historian of OZ. The land of OZ was one of the interesting pieces of literature in a whole continent of desire whose geographies, histories, and inhabitants were developed in detail by Baum. He developed an entertaining tour that was interesting both to the children and also adults. The wizard of OZ explains his richness in imagination and creative literature it further portrays him as a more constant and disciplined writer.

Baum has made great contributions to the field of children’s literature especially the story of the wizard of OZ. The beautiful land of OZ consists of an extraordinary emotive effect on open-eyed young readers. As Dorothy walks down the yellow brick path heading to the city of Emerald with the hope that the great and dreadful wizard will help her get back home. Dorothy shares exploration with three characters defeats the wicked witch learning the power of friendship, devotion, and self-confidence. This excites and creates a lot of joy and wonderment to the children hence liking the story more and more. As it has occurred in the past generations the classic fantasy provided by the wizard of OZ and adventure is what every child needs. The characters and imagery for instance the tin woodman man used are interesting thus making the story more fascinating to the children. The book is colored to attract the attention of children; there is a lot of suspense in the story which motivates the reader to continue reading. The wizard of OZ has a great influence on American culture; this is expressed in films, theme parks, and musicals. In referring to the original influence of the literature, Riley acts as a guide to the OZ above the rainbow and stimulates refurbished appreciation for the renowned writer’s supernatural vision. Baum’s work has been appreciated by many people, OZ which is enjoyed by people of all ages it makes many smiles.

The thought of being transported to a land of little munchkins and talking trees is amazing. More magic about the book and the movie was added by the flying monkeys, amazing crimson slippers, and chatting lion. The environment and other settings are said to be magnificent making the story more fascinating. The flow of the story is captivating with the witch’s castle and the farm perfectly laid out. Some people thought that the wizard of OZ was thorough and there is no other way of making it any better. The innocent girl of Kansas shines; she sings and dances well spicing the story more. The performance of the Tin Man, lion, and the scarecrow is amazing. The writing is good and uncomplicated making it possible for both the children and adults to follow the story. OZ presents an idea of how a perfect world would look like. Even though the book ad the movie have become old people still treasure and enjoy reading and watching them. Regardless of its captivating nature, the wizard of OZ received a lot of critics, other scholars like Littlefield thought that Baum had other intentions apart from producing the book for the children. Littlefield thought that the wizard of OZ story was Baum’s plot on populist allegory.

He supported this by the fact that Baum had been a journalist before he wrote the wizard of OZ. Since Baum had been involved in the writing of political events in the late 1880s and early 1890s, Littlefield thought OZ was an indirect political plot. This elicited many views and in some places, the book was withdrawn from the shelves. Ordinary people did not know who or what to believe but scholars like Rockoff and Michael Hearn set to find the truth about Littlefield’s allegations.

Based on various revelations Michael Hearns did not find any proof on populist allegory associated with the wizard of OZ. However, political issues arose and people could not believe it since they liked the story with passion because of its fascinating nature. This was soon followed by the post-mortem of the symbolic interpretation of Baum’s work. Baum’s literature was full of imageries and evocative plots which could easily be mistaken for anything including populist allegory. The judgment seemed final, in one of the most charming fictional puzzles of the 20th century. The wizard of OZ was not concluded to be a populist allegory plot but according to parker, he believes the books can (5).

The wizard of OZ is a very charming children’s literature written by L. Frank Baum. The story has interesting characters and images which help in capturing the attention of young readers. The coloring of the book is done in a way that it can catch the attention of the children. The book became one of the most captivating children’s literature in the United States. The author sold out many companies and got good financial returns which boosted both his economic and social life. Although the author had the intention of narrating the story to the children, his literature received a lot of critics from other scholars. According to the character and images used in the story, Littlefield thought that the story was a populist allegory. This was supported by the fact that Baum was a journalist and he had written about the political event of late1890 and early 1896. In trying to find the truth about Littlefield allegations Michael Hearns discounted and concluded that the story had nothing like political allegory. However, the characters and images used in the story can suggest anything about the book. The story has a high level of creativity since all the imagery and character can be related to the current political events. For example, the silver and gold are to symbolize money and the lion represents Bryan who bid for the presidency position but was defeated by McKinley. Bryan was authoritative and also roared at people like a lion. Generally, the wizard of OZ has been developed in a way that draws the reader’s attention to read especially the children.

Algeo, J, Oz and Kansas: A Theosophical Quest, 1986. Web.

Baum, LF, Denslow WW & Barbarese, JT, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: Barnes & Noble Classics Series, 2005, Web.

Gafly, G, The Wizard of Oz: a magical tale for readers of all ages, 2008. Web.

Harmetz, A, The Making of the Wizard of Oz: Movie Magic and Studio Power in the Prime of MGM — and the Miracle of Production #1060 , New York, Delta edition, 1989.

Maymay, The “Yellow Brick Road” as Spiritual Journey, 2008, Web.

Rogers, KM, & Baum, Creator of Oz: A Biography. New York, St. Martin’s Press, 2002.

Swartz, ME, Oz before the rainbow: L. Frank Baum’s The wonderful Wizard of Oz on stage and screen to 1939 / Mark Evan Swartz. 0801864771 series Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2000, 239-58. 2010.

Taylor QP, Money and Politics in the Land of Oz, 2005, Web.

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IvyPanda. (2021, December 11). “The Wizard of Oz”: Disputes, Influences, and Achievements. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-wizard-of-oz-disputes-influences-and-achievements/

"“The Wizard of Oz”: Disputes, Influences, and Achievements." IvyPanda , 11 Dec. 2021, ivypanda.com/essays/the-wizard-of-oz-disputes-influences-and-achievements/.

IvyPanda . (2021) '“The Wizard of Oz”: Disputes, Influences, and Achievements'. 11 December.

IvyPanda . 2021. "“The Wizard of Oz”: Disputes, Influences, and Achievements." December 11, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-wizard-of-oz-disputes-influences-and-achievements/.

1. IvyPanda . "“The Wizard of Oz”: Disputes, Influences, and Achievements." December 11, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-wizard-of-oz-disputes-influences-and-achievements/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "“The Wizard of Oz”: Disputes, Influences, and Achievements." December 11, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-wizard-of-oz-disputes-influences-and-achievements/.

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The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

By l. frank baum, the wonderful wizard of oz themes, there's no place like home.

Dorothy lives in a place that many people would be loath to call home. The Kansas prairie is vast and monochromatic, with dangerous cyclones and an absence of color and beauty. It turns the once-pretty and young Aunt Em into an old, dour woman before her time. Oz, by contrast, is stunningly gorgeous and fantastical. It is peopled with strange folk, a marvelous emerald city, verdant fields of flowers and miles of healthy farmland, deep forests, and adventures galore. Most of its inhabitants are cheerful, helpful, and virtuous. It seems strange that Dorothy would want to leave this land for her home. However, the importance of realizing the significance of one's roots prevails. Dorothy never questions her return. She is from Kansas, her guardians are there, and she has duties to fulfill. She finds much to love about Oz but knows it is not where she belongs. This is an understandable mindset for a child - no matter how fascinating or exotic a place, it is always more comforting to be in a familiar setting. Baum understood his intended audience well.

Although she is portrayed as a 16-year-old in the film, Dorothy is most assuredly a child in the novel. W.W. Denslow's charming illustrations reveal her to be a wide-eyed, spirited little girl. Dorothy is the quintessential child heroine, for she is unassuming, open-minded, simple, and frank. Baum wanted The Wonderful Wizard of Oz to be a fairy tale, but unlike other fairy tales, his child protagonist does not enter into any sort of adulthood. Like Peter Pan she is still a child and remains a child even though she undertakes a sometimes-frightening journey and faces many dangers. Dorothy's childhood is not unlike most people's childhoods - their home seems dull and boring, and an adventure is welcome and thrilling. Of course, the desire to return home is also of paramount concern for the child, and this book provides the now-famous phrase of "there is no place like home." Dorothy's journey in Oz can also be viewed as a typical childhood: there are close friends but some people to avoid; there are fantastic scenes and experiences but also obstacles and dangers; there are moral lessons to be learned; and there is a clear, albeit somewhat rocky, path to self-awareness and autonomy.

Self-sufficiency

The Scarecrow does not think he possesses brains, the Tin Woodman laments his lack of a heart, and the Lion believes himself bereft of courage. Of course, the reader will see right away that none of these characters are correct: the Scarecrow is the most intelligent of the bunch, the Tin Woodman is filled with compassion, and the Lion is full of courage and nobility. All of them already possess what it is they think they lack, but they are unable to see this for themselves. They believe that they must ask the Wizard to help them. The Wizard and his benevolent trickery "reveal" these traits at the end of the novel. The Scarecrow revels in his intellect and becomes the wise ruler of the Emerald City, the Tin Woodman becomes the kind ruler of the Winkies , and the Lion uses his power to take his rightful place as King of Beasts. They did not need anyone else to fix them or solve their problems; they already had within them what they needed the whole time. The same suffices for Dorothy, who was already wearing the silver shoes that could have taken her home without help from the Witch. Critics who discern a Populist theme in the text point to self-sufficiency as an important component of the movement's ideology. As a fairy tale, the moral of finding one's inner strength is enduring.

Baum is very clear in his promulgation of certain traditional American virtues. These include hard work, modesty, fortitude, and simplicity. The Munchkins and the people of the Emerald City work diligently and cheerfully; the latter work even though they do not have to. The fields are well-tilled and the houses well-kept. The people are also modest and humble. These attributes can be found in Dorothy as well. She does not use the Golden Cap or the silver shoes for any nefarious or selfish purpose; her conduct is upright and mannered; her dismay and bashfulness at killing the Witch of the East palpable. Fortitude is exemplified by the steadfast perseverance of Dorothy and her friends as they travel to the Emerald City, to the Wicked Witch's castle, and to Glinda 's castle. Even though the road is rough and misadventures common, they continue along their way with minimal grumbling. The combination of the Scarecrow's brains, the Tin Woodman's compassion, and the Lion's courage allow them to succeed in all of their endeavors. Clearly Baum values adherence to one's goals. Finally, simplicity is embodied in the sweet, meek morality of Dorothy. She does not worry or despair. She is not angry or selfish. She is certainly not an intellectual, but her childishness and wide-eyed nature make her a fresh and appealing heroine. All of these virtues are subtly praised by Baum throughout the text.

The importance of friendship

The novel makes it clear how important friendship is. First, Dorothy's only friend on the bleak and windswept Kansas prairie is her faithful canine companion, Toto . He is the only one who can bring light and joy into her life. But the even more pronounced benefits of friendship come from Dorothy's interactions with the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Lion. All three provide emotional and physical assistance to the young girl as she travels to the Emerald City to try and get back to Kansas. She is carried over a vast abyss by the Lion, forded across a river, saved from the deadly poppy field, and protected from the various minions the Witch sends after them. Her friends provide counsel and advice and together solve the journey's thorniest problems. They are her protectors and, although she is not particularly deep, her confidantes. All three of them volunteer to accompany her on her final leg of the journey to Glinda's castle, although they all had other duties to fulfill. All in all, it is unlikely Dorothy would have gotten very far without them. Friendship in this novel is key.

Good and Evil

Good and Evil are literally and figuratively diametrically opposed to each other in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz . There are two Wicked Witches and two Good Witches. They reside across from each other on the geographic axis of North, South, East, and West. The evil witches are distinguished by their rapaciousness, their enslavement of the people who live in the land they made their home, and their quest for power. The Wicked Witch of the West tried to destroy Dorothy and her friends numerous times. The Good Witches, however, provide counsel and guidance. The Witch of the North bestowed a sacred mark on Dorothy's forehead, which protected her from evil. This talisman of good is reminiscent of the traditional gift of the goddess found in the hero's journey arc typical of many forms of literature. Glinda exemplifies good through her wisdom and benevolence, showing Dorothy the way home; helping the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Lion realize their true callings; and freeing the Winged Monkeys from the Golden Cap. There is no ambiguity in the presentation of good and evil. The Wizard comes closest to the complexity of an actual human being, but overall archetypes and binaries prevail.

The value of the journey

Dorothy's route back to Kansas is not simple. Even though there was a simple solution from the beginning - the silver shoes - she did not know about it and profited far more from the lengthier, more dangerous journey it took to get back to Kansas. This journey provided her with several life lessons. She learned the value of friendship through her three traveling companions. She came face-to-face with the reality of duplicity and lies through the Wizard's shocking reveal as an ordinary man. She saw the fight between Good and Evil play out through the Witches. She found herself tested emotionally and physically. And, finally, she learned to trust herself and that the answers to her problems lie within her. She benefited from the company of others but the solution of how to get back to Kansas could be found within all along. This journey, then, gave her much more insight into herself and taught her how to navigate an oftentimes treacherous and confusing adult world.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

who is dorothy

A young and sprightly girl, Dorothy lives with her aunt and uncle on the bleak Kansas prairie. She is energetic and delights in her dog Toto. After a whirling cyclone lands her house in Oz, she embarks on a journey to the Emerald City to ask the...

Is this written in 3rd person limited?

The book is written in 3rd person omniscient. This means that the book's narrator is mostly invisible to us.

Different ending for the story.

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Study Guide for The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz study guide contains a biography of L. Frank Baum, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Summary
• Character List

Essays for The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum.

• Baum's Land of Oz: A Reflection of a Corrupt America
• Peter, Alice, and Dorothy: The Children Who Don’t Want to Grow Up.

Lesson Plan for The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Bibliography

E-Text of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz e-text contains the full text of the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum.

• Introduction
• Chapter 1: The Cyclone
• Chapter 2: The Council With the Munchkins
• Chapter 3: How Dorothy Saved the Scarecrow
• Chapter 4: The Road Through the Forest

Wikipedia Entries for The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

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The Wizard of Oz

L. frank baum, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Self-Doubt vs. Self-Confidence

After Dorothy is swept away from Kansas and stranded in the bizarre Land of Oz, she meets three characters who wish to follow her and see the Wizard of Oz with her. But while Dorothy wants to ask the Wizard to send her back home, her new friends are more interested in changing something about themselves. Each of Dorothy’s new companions doubts that they have everything it takes to be a complete person. However, it…

Home and Belonging

Almost from the moment that a cyclone sends her to the strange Land of Oz, Dorothy is determined to find a way back home to Kansas and her Aunt Em . This highlights one of the novel’s main points: that everyone has somewhere they truly belong. It’s notable that Dorothy immediately wants to go home and even sheds tears at the thought of staying in Oz forever. Despite how magical and dazzling Oz seems to…

Good vs. Evil

When a cyclone uproots Dorothy from her simple home in Kansas and carries her to the magical Land of Oz, she’s dazzled by how different everything seems. Where the Kansas prairie is depicted as a gray and uniformly ordinary place, Oz is an exaggerated fairy tale world of opposites and extremes. One of the first things Dorothy learns about Oz is that its balance of good and evil is perfectly symmetrical; for instance, there are…

Although she finds herself in the unfamiliar and often dangerous Land of Oz after being taken there by a cyclone, Dorothy soon finds comfort in the form of three new friends. As Dorothy travels towards the Emerald City in the hopes that the Wizard of Oz can send her back home to Kansas, she meets the Scarecrow , the Tin Woodman , and the Cowardly Lion along the way. They join together as a group…

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FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

An american tale: incarnations of the wizard of oz and the negotiation of identity, race, and gender, in popular culture.

Carly A. Orshan , Florida International University Follow

Document Type

Master of Arts (MA)

Major/Program

First advisor's name.

Steven Blevins

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Kenneth Johnson

Third Advisor's Name

Heather Russell

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Wizard of Oz, Wicked, Evil, Good, American Myth, National Identity, Race, Gender, Class, Popular Culture, American Culture, Terrorism, Other, Nationalism, Reproduction, Commodification, Deconstruction, Historical, Ideological

Date of Defense

The purpose of this study is to address the way in which several quite varied and often commodified representations of L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) express and reproduce shifting notions of national identity within American culture across the twentieth century and at the beginning of our own. This thesis pursues the question of national identity that the American myth perpetuates throughout the twentieth century and examines the shift in citizenship through representations found in popular culture’s re-writings of the Wizard of Oz tale. This thesis evaluates both original and contemporary adaptations of the Oz story and their deconstruction for sociohistorical representations of racial, gendered, class, and national identity. I argue, that the numerous historical and ideological comparisons from the Oz tale reflect our own world in our discussions of identity, race, class, and gender and have become significant reflections of our own imaginations and national identity.

Recommended Citation

Orshan, Carly A., "An American Tale: Incarnations of the Wizard of Oz and the Negotiation of Identity, Race, and Gender, in Popular Culture" (2012). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations . 676. https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/676

Since August 09, 2012

10.25148/etd.FI12080634

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“The Wizard of Oz”: Movie Analysis

The Scarecrow is a character that shows his optimism even in situations with minimum available information about possible outcomes. For example, he is optimistic about two roads that he has never put his foot on and believes that “it’s pleasant down that way, too” ( The Wizard of Oz, 1939). Even though his self-efficacy is extremely limited at the beginning of the movie, later, the Scarecrow shows hope by promising Dorothy to help her meet the Wizard regardless of whether he will be awarded a brain or not.

Dorothy is optimistic about returning home and does not lose her hope even after encountering the Wizard who turns out to be a fraud. Her sense of hope and optimism is persistent throughout the movie and especially evident in the song Somewhere Over the Rainbow . Dorothy ranks high on the scale of self-efficacy because she strongly believes in her ability to help others and return home.

The Tin Man’s optimism and hope are evident in his willingness to pursue the goal of obtaining a heart. The character shows a significant self-efficacy by using his powers to defend those that are weaker than him.

The Cowardly Lion does not score high on the scale of optimism. He also does not have hope throughout most of the movie. Taking into consideration that he is constantly scared of everything, his sense of self-efficacy is extremely low.

It can be argued that Dorothy’s optimism is portrayed realistically. She is extremely determined to return home and in the process of pursuing her goal inspires others with her optimism. Moreover, in her journey to the Emerald City, Dorothy uses optimism as an instrument for attaining her dream.

The Cowardly Lion’s pessimism about not being brave does not allow him to notice that he displays brave behavior a couple of times throughout the movie. For instance, by jumping across an abyss with his friends on his back, the lion turns pessimism into courage. The same can be said about the Scarecrow who says that he is “not afraid of anything—except a lighted match” ( The Wizard of Oz, 1939).

Taking into consideration the fact that out of four friends the Cowardly Lion was the one who did not display optimism at the beginning of the story, it can be argued that he experienced the most substantial shift in his optimistic thinking as the movie progressed. I think that by consuming a magic liquid provided by the Wizard, he was able to obtain courage which served as the impetus for the transformation of his character.

Judging from the fact that the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion spend the majority of their time in the pursuit of things which they never had, it can be said that they are future-oriented. Dorothy and the Tin Man, on the other hand, are past-oriented because they place the strongest emphasis on returning to the status quo.

I believe that Dorothy is a character that best represents my style of thinking. Just like I am, she is future-oriented and does not lose her hope in the face of uncertainty. While being an idealist who believes in lofty ideas, she manages to rationally and methodically calculate steps necessary for returning home. However, unlike Dorothy, I can have better control of short-term objectives and use all available resources for reaching them.

The analysis has helped me to better understand the main character traits of the protagonists of The Wizard of Oz movie. It also provided me with invaluable insight into the nature of optimism.

LeRoy, M. (Producer), & Fleming, V. (Director). (1939). The Wizard of Oz [Motion picture]. United States: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

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An American Dream That Never Came True: Cruel Optimism in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

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Orshan, Carly A. "An American Tale: Incarnations of the Wizard of Oz and the Negotiation of Identity, Race, and Gender, in Popular Culture." FIU Digital Commons, 2012. http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/676.

Becker, Bonnie. "A feminist analysis of Lyman Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables and Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden." Thesis, University of Fort Hare, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1290.

Li, Xiangdong. "Improving the reliability and validity of 'Wizard-of-Oz' methods." Thesis, University of Huddersfield, 2012. http://eprints.hud.ac.uk/id/eprint/15238/.

Kroon, Oskar. "Problem i det generiska webbaserade Wizard of Oz-verktyget Ozlab." Thesis, Karlstads universitet, Handelshögskolan, 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-39880.

Nathanson, Paul 1947. "Over the rainbow : the Wizard of Oz as a secular myth." Thesis, McGill University, 1989. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=74357.

Englund, Martin. "Röststyrning av aggregatet på en engreppsskördare : En Wizard of Oz-studie." Thesis, Linköping University, Linköping University, Department of Management and Engineering, 2009. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-19448.

Syftet med denna studie var att utreda hur röststyrning kan användas för kontroll av aggregatet på en engreppsskördare.

För att studera röststyrning genomfördes en så kallad Wizard of Oz-studie. Metoden går ut på att en människa ersätter en funktion i ett system som ännu inte finns eller är färdigutvecklad. I studien var det röstigenkänningen och inmatningen av korrekt respons som utfördes av en människa, trollkarlen. Rollen som trollkarl utfördes av en före detta skördarförare som numera arbetar som forskare på Skogforsk.

Studien genomfördes i Skogforsks skogsmaskinsimulator. I den kan en försöksperson på ett verklighetstroget sätt arbeta med en engreppsskördare. Som försökspersoner användes fem professionella förare.

Innan en förare provade röststyrningen fick han köra simulatorn med konventionell styrning för att vänja sig vid hur maskinen kändes att köra i den simulerade miljön. Därefter fick föraren använda sig av röststyrning. Försökspersonerna som var omedvetna om trollkarlens existens fick endast instruktion om att slutavverka ett bestånd genom att kontrollera aggregatet med rösten. De fick inga förslag på kommandon eller uttryck att använda utan fick själva utforska systemet och använda det som de ville. Kranen kontrollerade de som vanligt med spakarna.

Under studien observerades försökspersonernas agerande av försöksledaren och efteråt genomfördes en intervju om upplevelsen av röststyrningen.

Alla förarna lärde sig snabbt att använda systemet och använde sig av samma princip. En knapptryckning ersattes med ett kommando. Förarna använde sig till en början av uttryck de var bekanta med sedan tidigare. De rationaliserade medvetet uttrycken de använde till att bli korta och nästan alltid bara innehålla ett ord.

Överlag tyckte försökspersonerna att röststyrningen var en positiv upplevelse och tyckte att det fungerade bra men förutsåg att det skulle bli problematiskt att använda vid svårarbetad skog som kräver mycket manuell inblandning i apteringen.

Röststyrningen verkar gynna användning av automatiska sekvenser.

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Chalfin, Andrea J. "PAYING ATTENTION TO THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN: PATRIARCHY AND THE WIZARD OF OZ ." Oxford, Ohio : Miami University, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=miami1176858290.

Haga, Kristin, and Lars Loennechen Skjelbek. "Brukersentrert Utvikling for Microsoft Surface : Idéutvikling, Prototyping og Wizard-of-Oz Brukbarhetstesting." Thesis, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet, Institutt for datateknikk og informasjonsvitenskap, 2011. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:no:ntnu:diva-13912.

Lamberg, Camilla, and Anders Brundin. "Evaluating the future development options for Ozlab." Thesis, Karlstads universitet, Fakulteten för ekonomi, kommunikation och IT, 2011. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-7956.

Widmer, Colin Leigh. "Examining the Impact of Dialogue Moves in Tutor-Learner Discourse Using a Wizard of Oz Technique." Miami University / OhioLINK, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1500648460632549.

Wik, Malin. "Using the Wizard-of-Oz technique in requirements engineering processes : A trial in a tourism context." Thesis, Karlstads universitet, Handelshögskolan, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-38098.

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Caplinger, James C. "Oz Wide Shut: An Exploration of Gender and Master Narratives in Stanley Kubrick’s Final Film." Ohio University / OhioLINK, 2004. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1107791166.

Crowley, Michelle. "Does This Broomstick Make Me Look Wicked? An Analysis of the Modern and Postmodern Villain." University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1337265127.

Guilbert, Thérèse. "Le fantastique du rêve : analyse et histoire des séquences de rêve de 1939 (The Wizard of Oz) à 2001 (Mulholland Drive)." Paris 10, 2008. http://www.theses.fr/2008PA100054.

Cimmino, Mirta. "Ces rêves qui font grandir : Le rêve initiatique chez l’enfant et l’adolescent dans le roman d’aventures féeriques au XXIe siècle." Thesis, Université Clermont Auvergne‎ (2017-2020), 2017. http://www.theses.fr/2017CLFAL012.

Trent, Stephen James. "The design and evaluation of a computer-based tool to support the construction and wizard-of-oz testing of low fidelity prototypes." Pullman, Wash. : Washington State University, 2009. http://www.dissertations.wsu.edu/Thesis/Spring2009/s_trent_042409.pdf.

Wirzberger, Maria, René Schmidt, Maria Georgi, Wolfram Hardt, Guido Brunnett, and Günter Daniel Rey. "Effects of system response delays on elderly humans’ cognitive performance in a virtual training scenario." Springer Nature, 2019. https://monarch.qucosa.de/id/qucosa%3A34294.

Cicek, Simon. "Gaze Assisted Ergonomics : Means of expediting computer usage for the physically impaired." Thesis, KTH, Skolan för informations- och kommunikationsteknik (ICT), 2014. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-177015.

Huck, Jennifer E. "Poisoned Poppies: Popular Images of the Witch in the United States." Connect to this document online, 2005. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=miami1114021857.

Carter, Teresa G. "Five-Factor Model as a Predictor for Spoken Dialog Systems." NSUWorks, 2016. http://nsuworks.nova.edu/gscis_etd/990.

Green, Scott Armstrong. "An Augmented Reality Human-Robot Collaboration System." Thesis, University of Canterbury. Mechanical Engineering, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/2585.

Jalonen, Matilda, and Westin Cornelis Rönnberg. "Interactive fictional databases; the search for family and agency : A study of natural language systems and theircapability of inducing agency." Thesis, Högskolan i Skövde, Institutionen för informationsteknologi, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:his:diva-18740.

Rönnberg, Sofia. "Persuasive Chatbot Conversations : Towards a Personalized User Experience." Thesis, Linköpings universitet, Institutionen för datavetenskap, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-166354.

Serrano, Marcos. "Interaction multimodale en entrée : Conception et Prototypage." Phd thesis, Université de Grenoble, 2010. http://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01017242.

Holdaj, Petersson Kalle, and Martin Thunberg. "Adaptiva talbaserade system i fordon : Designförslag för att främja user experience." Thesis, Högskolan i Halmstad, Sektionen för Informationsvetenskap, Data– och Elektroteknik (IDE), 2013. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-23396.

Gustafson, Joakim. "Developing Multimodal Spoken Dialogue Systems : Empirical Studies of Spoken Human–Computer Interaction." Doctoral thesis, KTH, Tal, musik och hörsel, 2002. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-3460.

Wen, Tsung-Hsien. "Recurrent neural network language generation for dialogue systems." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2018. https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/275648.

INAGAKI, Yasuyoshi, Yukiko YAMAGUCHI, Shigeki MATSUBARA, Nobuo KAWAGUCHI, Hiroya MURAO, 康善 稲垣, 由紀子 山口, 茂樹 松原, 信夫 河口, and 浩也 村尾. "WOZシステムのログ情報を利用した事例ベース音声対話システムの開発." 一般社団法人情報処理学会, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/2237/15401.

INAGAKI, Yasuyoshi, Kazuya TAKEDA, Yukiko YAMAGUCHI, Shigeki MATSUBARA, Nobuo KAWAGUCHI, Hiroya MURAO, 康善 稲垣, et al. "WOZによるオンライン修正が可能な事例ベース音声対話システム." 一般社団法人情報処理学会, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/2237/15406.

Wu, Sunny Tao, and 吳滔. "L. Frank Baum''s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: An American Fairy Tale." Thesis, 1994. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/78670015596131522128.

Han, Luyao Luna. "The celestial track of the green field two chinese translations of: The wonderful wizard of Oz." Thesis, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10539/15284.

Chung, Shou-Min, and 鐘秀敏. "Evil and goodness:the figures of witches in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Witches and La Bruja Dona Paz." Thesis, 2004. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/9q2rf7.

Lai, Ting-yi, and 賴婷宜. "A Stusy of the Themes and Images in Lyman Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and Its Applocation to English Teaching." Thesis, 2012. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/37648450917585294569.

Costa, Thais Gonçalves Pinheiro. "The wonderful wizard of Sintra: an illustrated fantasy novel." Master's thesis, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.26/25136.

Chi, Wu Ya, and 吳雅琦. "Chronotope and Fantastic in Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz." Thesis, 2014. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/y4z8dz.

Lee, Hui-fang, and 李蕙芳. "Fantasy, science fiction, magical qualities of “Journey to the West”and “ The Wizard of Oz” study." Thesis, 2010. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/51319912503978620353.

Lai, Po-En, and 賴柏恩. "WizardVR: Using Augmented Reality to Support Observing and Wizard-of-Oz Prototyping of Virtual Reality Experience." Thesis, 2019. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/ajphtq.

Ho, Pei-Ju, and 何佩儒. "The Wizard of Oz of School Counselors: Participating in the Training Program of Dual Emotional Regulation Study." Thesis, 2017. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/yzh3p2.

Monroy, Victor. "A Wizard-of-Oz Study to Determine the Efficacy of an Automated Prompting System for Children with Autism." Thesis, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/1807/25866.

Queiroz, Hertenha Glauce da Silveira. "A construção de um corpo cênico : um contributo na formação de atores a partir do processo de criação dos personagens da peça "O Mágico de Oz"." Master's thesis, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.2/2333.

曾斐莉. "Symbolize the tactics to apply to the design research of the cartoon role of 2D and scene Create for the example with the plot of the story of“ The Wizard of Oz“." Thesis, 2006. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/15999008280272076976.

Costeira, Sérgio Alberto Batista. "Análise e desenvolvimento de aplicação móvel para portal académico (NetP)." Master's thesis, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.26/29859.

Donaldson-Selby, Susan Jeannette. "The craft of scenic illusion : an investigation into how theatre space and dramatic genre influence the scenographic process, with specific reference to Greg King's set designs for Aladdin (2007), Oleanna (2008), and the Wizard of Oz (2008)." Thesis, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/9836.

Kanov, Maria. ""Sorry, what was your name again?" : How to Use a Social Robot to Simulate Alzheimer’s Disease and Exploring the Effects on its Interlocutors." Thesis, 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-218154.

Sankar, Chinnadhurai. "Neural approaches to dialog modeling." Thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/1866/24802.

Paul Harstrom

5 Takeaways After Reading: The Oz Principle

If you haven’t already, I highly recommend you consider reading The Oz Principle: Getting Results Through Individual and Organizational Accountability by  Roger Connors , Thomas Smith , and  Craig R. Hickman .

The book is based on the famous Hollywood classic, The Wizard of Oz. It may seem incredible that one of the best books on management and business philosophy is based on what is essentially a children’s movie – but when you read it, you’ll see why the Wizard of Oz metaphor works so well in business.

Authors Hickman, Smith, and Connors make the point that all employees within an organization should take full ownership of their work and be completely accountable for their actions. Indulging in blame games (as humans are known to do) is a self-destructive behavior that puts the future of the organization – and hence the employee’s job – at risk.

The authors talk about always playing above the line and being fully accountable for your actions, much like Dorothy and her friends towards the end of the Wizard of Oz.

Now, if you’re unfamiliar with the Wizard of Oz, I suggest that you read the classic, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, on which the movie is based. The book features characters you will never forget, such as the main protagonist, Dorothy, a young girl who is a true leader, and her friends, the Tin Man, Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion.

At the start of the book, Dorothy and her friends assume that they are victims of circumstance – that they have been plagued by the vagaries of life and that only the mysterious character of the Wizard of Oz can tell them exactly what’s wrong with them and save them from their current predicament.

Many organizations, businesses, and individuals will recognize this predicament.

We live in a culture of victimhood, which has only grown in strength over the last decade and a half. Nothing is ever our fault – someone else is always to blame, whether it’s the economy, globalization, government, a competitor or some other external problem.

It’s common for individuals to suffer from a victim complex, but businesses and organizations are not immune from it. We like to believe that we are victims of our situations or circumstances, and it’s not our fault that things are as they are.

My 5 Takeaways After Reading:  The Oz Principle

1. accountable for results.

Whether you like it or not, Business Results are necessary, required, and often the benchmark used to define success. It’s your job as a manager to hold your team responsible for them.

Organizations where employees are fully accountable for what they do experience a 200% rise in profit margins, a 900% jump in stock price, a 50% faster customer response, and an 80% reduction in the number of quality-control complaints.

“The leadership challenge lies with defining results vs. goals and aligning the organization around the results that must be accomplished. Results are defined as 3-5 things that must be accomplished, and nothing can interfere with preventing the team from accomplishing those results.  These are not “hopeful” or “wishful” end results; rather, the results defined are critical to the overall success of the organization.”  Paul Harstrom

2: Joint Accountability

The Oz Principle stresses Joint Accountability (peer-to-peer accountability). Remember, there is no “I” in a team. Companies, where employees are willing to rise over and above their circumstances and strive for the common good, are likely to do much better than those that don’t.

Leaders should encourage their teams to rally together around a common goal, whatever it is, which is different from and higher than individual or personal goals.  This means coming up with an agreement that clearly identifies the results the team’s actions should deliver.

Members of my Truth At Work Louisville Round Tables frequently tell me about the value they receive in having joint accountability to help them maintain a healthy balance in their personal life, faith, and business.

3: Always stay above the line.

Avoid behaviors such as blaming other people or external factors for your problems. Make it clear to your employees that you expect them to take positive and effective action, and not dodge the issue by saying “it’s not my problem” at the slightest hint of a negative outcome.

4: Involve the Team

Never shy away from asking your team important questions such as:

• What can you do in the future to reduce or minimize the negative outcomes from a certain action or behavior ?
• What did we do as a team that led to this failure to achieve our desired results as an organization ?
• Did we ignore any facts or read the situation incorrectly – is that what led to the mistake ?
• If we face this problem again, what do you think we should do differently ?

Don’t be afraid to ask the most relevant and pertinent questions, ones that cut to the core of the issue and lead to an honest debate to which every member of the team contributes.

5: Feedback is the Life-blood of all Organizations

Employees should not be afraid to seek out feedback and should share their own with others. The employee’s goal should not only be to advance in their personal career but to work for the advancement of the organization as a whole.

Every staff member should cooperate with their peers and help their co-workers improve rather than indulge in one-upmanship and office politics, point fingers and play the blame game whenever the slightest hint of trouble arises. We should avoid defensive responses when we receive critical feedback, and analyze what is said carefully and work out how and what needs to be done to get better.

Acknowledge the reality as it is and accept full accountability for your actions, and identify the right solution and do everything possible to correct the mistake. Get the job done, no matter what. That’s what playing above the line is all about.

Final Thoughts on The Oz Principle

In my opinion, The Oz Principle is a much-needed book for 2020 and the years ahead.  Given the current economic changes ahead of us, Accountability in our homes, in our personal life , with our faith, and at the workplace is critical for accelerated success.

What key-results are you working to accomplish this year?  Do you have a team aligned with those key-results?  Are you struggling with accountability?

About Paul Harstrom

Through a monthly coaching and group round table membership, called  Truth At Work Louisville , I help Business Leaders, Entrepreneurs, CEOs, and Executives be the gifted leaders that God has created them to be. I understand discouragement, loneliness, and confusion that grips Christian Business Leaders in the Marketplace.  You don’t have to live that way!   Learn more about Truth At Work in Louisville, KY

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A Smithsonian magazine special report

AT THE SMITHSONIAN

Without this camera, the emerald city would have been the color of mud.

That dramatic Dorothy in Oz moment was brought to you in living color by the DF-24 Beam Splitter

Owen Edwards

Just imagine if the Yellow Brick Road—that magical highway in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz —had been pale gray. Or, if the Emerald City had been a slightly darker gray. Or, if those glowing ruby slippers had been just another pair of bland party pumps.

Hard to picture it, and even harder to imagine that a colorless Oz would have lodged in America’s movie memory in the way the ballyhooed, multi-hued classic has.

One of the most memorable sequences in the film offered both visual proof that Dorothy and Toto weren’t in Kansas anymore and a perfect metaphor for a profound change in the nature of movies. The moment comes early, after the tornado has whirled Judy Garland from a hardscrabble farm to a hero’s welcome in Munchkinland after her house lands on a wicked witch.

The Kansas scenes are filmed in Dust Bowl sepia, but the province of the Munchkins is shown in dazzling color.

One of the revolutionary cameras that made that color possible—technically known as the DF-24 Beam Splitter Motion Picture Camera —can be seen in the "Places of Invention" exhibition in the  Lemelson Center  on the first floor of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

The advent of color did not come about with  The Wizard of Oz ; moviemakers had used various methods to enliven their films, from hand tinting film to special filters (just as still photographers had found various alchemies to enhance black and white film).

The first all-color feature came out in 1935, according to Anjuli M. Singh, a Roger Kennedy memorial scholar at the museum. Singh says that there were also feature films that contained short Technicolor sections, so that though  The Wizard of Oz  used color on a grander scale, it was consistent with an industry pattern. Thus the introduction of color was not as seminal as the dramatic change from silent films to talkies in 1927, with  The Jazz Singer  giving voice to Al Jolson.

Credit for  creating  the first practical color movie camera goes to a Danish-American inventor,  August Plahn , whose camera split images through three lenses using 70 millimeter film. Plahn was unsuccessful finding financial backing for his invention. The Boston- based  Technicolor Company , with investments from that city’s bankers, was able to establish similar technology as the industry standard (a dominance the company retained for many years).  

However,  The Wizard of Oz , which came out in the same year as  Gone with the Wind , another hit film in vivid Technicolor, made a telling point about the difference that color could make to the pleasure of audiences. Once Dorothy steps out of her front door and steps into Oz, nothing was going to be the same again.

The shift from shades of gray to vivid color may have been a powerful metaphor for the future of movies, but Singh considers the shift in the film a comment on the economic and social conditions in the United States at the time. “For Americans still in the midst of the Great Depression, and nervous about an impending conflict in Europe, to have seen the transition from drab, sepia Kansas—an evocation of their own world at the time—to the gorgeous Technicolor world of Oz was a much-needed escape.”

The DF-24 camera , invented in 1932, is one of several that were used by cinematographer  Hal Rosson  to film The Wizard . It is complicated and large, standing 106 inches high, on a wheeled sled almost six feet long, with the gadgety look that might be described as steampunk. The inner workings of the camera that exposed three separate strips of field in red, green and blue (combined in processing for full color) are enclosed in a blue casing that is called a blimp. Ryan Lintelman , a curator of the museum’s entertainment collection, says that this shell was necessary to baffle noise and also to provide fire suppression, since at the time highly flammable nitrate film was the standard stock.

Lintelman says that the Technicolor Company only built 29 of these cameras for use in the United States, so if more than one color film was shooting at the same time, casts and crews sometimes had to wait their turn for equipment. Technicolor didn’t sell the cameras to the studios, instead they rented them, and sent specialized operators and technical experts along with each one.

Not only did the Technicolor cameras change the way movies looked, Lintelman says, but they also changed how crews, actors and even writers worked. “In the original book, and in the  original script  that we have,” he says, “Dorothy’s ruby slippers are described as silver. Before shooting, they were changed to take advantage of Technicolor.” He added that the Ruby Slippers —also in the Smithsonian collections—are actually a dark burgundy, and look brighter red because of the powerful lighting necessary to get the most out of color film.

The lights needed in the filming of The Wizard were many, and powerful. According to Lintelman, 150 arc lamps were used to brighten the interior sets, raising the temperatures to 100 degrees or more (poor Tin Man!) and ultimately costing MGM around $225,000 in electric bills (in 1939 dollars). A fire inspector was on the set every day of the shooting because of the heat of the lights and the nitrate film. Many actors in the movie complained about eye problems that were blamed on the power of the lights.

There were no complaints from audiences, however, who made  The Wizard of Oz  one of the biggest hits of the decades, and still considered a classic today. The film made a megastar of Judy Garland , and enshrined other cast members such as Bert Lahr , Ray Bolger , Jack Haley , and Terry the dog as Toto. But some of the biggest stars, mentioned only at the end of the credits, were those Technicolor cameras. 

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Owen Edwards | READ MORE

Owen Edwards is a freelance writer who previously wrote the "Object at Hand" column in Smithsonian magazine.

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