But some scholars have found hidden criticisms of late. What is the symbolism found in the novel the wonderful. Essays for the wizard of oz film the wizard of oz film essays are academic essays for citation. But there are loads of other imaginative touches, including a. In his book the wonderful wizard of oz in american popular culture, neil. Farias did not miss a beat elevating every aspect of the wizard of oz film. Bringing the book to life the wizard of oz has been a beloved story that has had an impact way beyond being a childrens fairy tale. 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 annotated wizard of oz, based on the original text by frank baum and including a variety of illustrations including original color plates by w. 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. A deadly flower might seem curious at first, but poppies, of course, are no ordinary bloom. Hearn has collected an enormous number of pictures and illustrations from many versions and variations of the wonderful wizard of oz.
A fragmented dust jacket for a first edition of wonderful wizard of oz 1900 by l. The symbolism of the wicked witch the wizard of oz turn me on, dead man. Most of the time, their cando attitude steers them right. Explain the symbols in the wizard of oz and why each. Political interpretations of the wonderful wizard of oz. Sharetweetemailwith its memorable story and its cast of colorful characters, the wizard of oz quickly became an american classic. Apart from intentional symbolism, scholars have speculated on the sources of baums ideas and imagery. Many people are not aware that the wonderful wizard of oz is suspected to have referenced several political issues of the late 1800s.
The secret political symbolism you never knew was hidden. Benjamin blankenbehler october 27, 2015 october 19, 2016 0. What is the deeper meaning of the wonderful wizard of oz by. The wizard of oz follows the story of dorothy, a young farm girl from kansas. Political interpretations of the wonderful wizard of oz include treatments of the modern fairy.
The political and economic symbols hidden inside the wizard of oz. What do the colors symbolize in the wizard of oz wizard of oz background. So i appreciated being able to read fariass insights, as i grew. Over the years, both book and movie have fueled a number of elaborate theories as to the storys deeper meanings. 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 winkies are good, friendly people who happen to prefer the color yellow in their surroundings, clothing and landscaping as yellow is the official mascot color that represents the west land. In the book and the play the shoes are silver, not ruby as they were famously depicted in the 1939 film. Hidden christian themes in the wizard of oz faith and. Apr 16, 2019 his stories have formed the basis for such popular films as the wizard of oz 1939 and oz the great and powerful 20. Frank baums book the wonderful wizard of oz, upon which the movie is based, was a political allegory.
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 wizard of oz is more than just a childrens story. Although the wizard of oz might be most famous today for the 1939 movie, starring judy garland, the book was originally written in the 1890s by author l. The wizard of oz it is and remains, and weve all heard the title so often that we never really stop to think about what it might mean. This is a deep book, but its not heavy, and javier j. It was adapted into a broadway musical by baum in 1902, and then into its first. Yellow brick road symbolism, in wizard of oz architecture. How the wizard of oz symbolizes overcoming insecurities. Friedman october 10th 2014 us hisotry block 7 the wizard of oz has been a popular and symbolic film throughout our previous history. Frank baum and originally published in 1900, may have been inspired by the reallife economic struggles during the gold standard. Symbolism in the wonderful wizard of oz 842 words bartleby. Heres the real, forgotten meaning of the wizard of oz. Numerous papers in sociology and the humanities have been written analyzing the allegories contained in the story.
Frank baum this study guide consists of approximately 39 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the wonderful wizard of oz. Few, however, recognize that, under its deceptive simplicity, the story of the wizard of oz. In the book, scarecrow falls in a river and is saved by a stork. The book was in the earliest binding state, but the presence. Early life lyman frank baum was born on may 15, 1856, in chittenango, new. Other putative allegorical devices of the book include the wicked witch of the west as a figure for the actual american. Frank baum published his famous novel, the wonderful wizard of oz, in 1900, and underneath the surface of the story, with all its whimsy and childish delights, is what some literary historians claim is a very thinlyveiled allegory. They come to find out, symbolically, that each of these qualities is something they already had, it just needed to be pointed out to them. 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. Even though film critics of the day may have lauded it as such. Unlike the childrens book, the movie was not an immediate sensation. Many things in this world arent always what they seem to be at first glance, and childrens books are no exception.
How the wizard of oz symbolizes overcoming insecurities and mental illness when i was a kid, i would watch and rewatch the movie the wizard of oz over and over again. And it turns out that the wizard of oz is full of hidden political symbolism, which sometimes seems barely hidden at all but no one noticed the clear parallels to american politics in the 1890s until a historian named. The objective of her travels is to wizard the wizard of oz in emerald city so that she can go home. 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. The cyclone pulls her and toto into a realm she couldnt possibly have imagined. Oct 27, 2015 frank baum put hidden symbols in his book the wonderful wizard of oz. In the century following the publication of the wizard of oz, scholars and critics have assigned all sorts of symbolic and allegorical meanings to various elements of the novel. 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. The obvious symbolism is that the main characters each desire a quality they believe is lacking.
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 occurred immediately thereafter. Over the decades, the wizard of oz has been seen by many christians and used often in sermons see here for one example as an allegory of faith. Its a good thing, too, because dorothy and her friends work very, very hardoften against odds that seem insurmountable. In the wonderful wizard of oz, hard work is well rewarded. And it turns out that the wizard of oz is full of hidden political symbolism, which sometimes seems barely hidden at all. On a stormy and dark day she is swept away in a tornado and lands in a faraway land of the munchkins. Quotes from the story such as toto, i have a feeling were not in kansas anymore, lions, and tigers, and bears. The book on which its based is officially named the wonderful wizard of oz, but hollywood dropped the wonderful as superfluous. Frank baum and followed by the iconic cinematic masterpiece starring judy garland in 1939, has remained. 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.
Political interpretations of the wonderful wizard of oz wikipedia. Political interpretations of the wonderful wizard of oz include treatments of the modern fairy tale written by l. The visual component of film and television allows the audience to interpret symbolism in a way printed text cannot. According to author and oz series originator lyman frank baum may 15, 1856may 5, 1919, the wizard of oz is an american fairy tale for the enjoyment of children. The cyclone that brought dorothy to the land of oz had a literal and symbolic meaning from his religion. The occult roots of the wizard of oz the vigilant citizen. 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. 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. 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. Oh, my, and theres no place like home, are ones that will always pop into our heads when someone. 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. Scholars have examined four quite different versions of oz.
Dec 02, 2012 symbolism in the wizard of oz posted on december 2, 2012 by kirsten symbolism, the representation of objects and ideas through the use of symbols, often of a more abstract concept, gives deeper meaning to a text. Mar 06, 2017 in his introduction to the wonderful wizard of oz, l. 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. What is the symbolic meaning of the wizard of oz answers. The secret political symbolism you never knew was hidden within. The wonderful wizard of oz is too long to be a parable and not quite didactic enough to be an allegory. The winkies are native ozian residents from the western quadrant known as the winkie country in the magical. It was adapted into a broadway musical by baum in 1902. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of the wizard of oz film by richard thorpe.
The bad wizard of oz is a childrens novel written by l. The song over the rainbow is such an inspirational song that it has survived over the years. What i didnt know as a child most adults i meet are similarly oblivious is that l. Symbolism, the representation of objects and ideas through the use of symbols, often of a more abstract concept, gives deeper meaning to a text. During her travels she encounters a number of characters, some good, some bad. The wizard of oz film symbols, allegory and motifs. The wizard of oz symbols, allegory and motifs gradesaver. Frank baum was purchased in 1972 at sotheby parke bernet on behalf of a private collector. The wizard of oz film study guide contains a biography of richard thorpe, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Explain the symbols in the wizard of oz and why each symbol.
The symbolism hidden within the wizard of oz jabajabba. Oz is the wizard that dorothy and the others travel to see in the wonderful wizard of oz. Populism and the world of oz national museum of american. Both the book and movie have been recognised as classic literature for children and adults alike.
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. By the time the book entered the public domain in 1956, the wonderful wizard of oz had sold three million copies. If you consider this as an especially learned coffee table book, the annotated wizard of oz is no less than beautiful. 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. The wizard of oz and political symbolism book and media.
Frank baum, who went on to write fourteen fulllength oz books. All of the baum written books are in the public domain in the united states. Oct 08, 2009 sharetweetemailwith its memorable story and its cast of colorful characters, the wizard of oz quickly became an american classic. Frank baum wrote the childrens fantasy book the wonderful wizard of oz in 1900. There is a marked difference between the film and the original book by l.
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. The symbolism of the wizard of oz came to light again recently after the famous filmmaker, bill still, produced a twohour documentary film, the secret of oz, in which he shakes up the existing economic paradigms and contends that the book contains a solution to the economic problems that plague this country. One wellknown theory holds the entire novel is a comment on turnofthecentury monetary policy, where the yellow brick road symbolizes the conservative gold standard, and the silver slippers represent. Frank baum and followed by the iconic cinematic masterpiece starring judy garland in 1939, has remained one of the most enduring and popular stories over a hundred years later. In his introduction to the wonderful wizard of oz, l. On that image alone we could rest our case that the wonderful wizard of oz is a fanciful book.
More than a hundred years after the release of this book, kids everywhere are still enchanted by ozs world of wonder. The wizard of oz is a 1939 american musical fantasy comedydrama film produced by metrogoldwynmayer, and the bestknown and most commercially successful adaptation. The occult roots of the wizard of oz symbols rule the world. Symbolism in william jennings bryans the wonderful wizard of oz. 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. As a theosophist, baum believed in a literal afterlife. Still, the main characters dorothy, the scarecrow, the tin woodman, and the lion embody traditional american values. The political and economic symbols hidden inside the. Frank baum claims that the book is simply an innocent childrens story. The wizard of oz film essays are academic essays for citation.
Interesting fact related to rare oz dust jacket from appraising rare and collectible childrens book. The wizard of oz, which celebrates its 80th birthday this year, was created by jewish artists including yip harburg and harold arlen. Dorothys journey in the land of oz symbolized mans journey through the afterlife to rebirth. Hill company in chicago on may 17, 1900, and has since been reprinted countless times, most often under the name the wizard of oz, which is the name of both the 1902 stage play and the extremely popular, highly acclaimed. The winkies of oz lived a humble and happy existence as tinsmiths until the wicked. In the book, the tin man, scarecrow and dorothy all saw the wizard quite differently. The text of the baums oz is a reproduction of the original and therefore lovely to look at. The wonderful wizard of oz is a childrens book written by l. The wonderful wizard of oz, childrens book written by l. What is the deeper meaning of the wonderful wizard of oz. Hill company in chicago on may 17, 1900, and has since been reprinted countless times, most often under the name the wizard of oz, which is the name of both the 1902 stage play and the extremely. This symbolizes the cynicism that exists in politics due to the fact that politicians tend to change face. When the book opens all dorothy knows is the flat, dry world around her. The wizard of oz is a beloved childrens story that includes both the book, published in 1900, and the movie, which came out in 1939.