Frank baum and followed by the iconic cinematic masterpiece starring judy garland in 1939, has remained. Explain the symbols in the wizard of oz and why each. From greek myth to computer chips, purports that the wizard symbolizes bankers who support the gold standard and oppose adding silver to it. Wizard of oz has constant references to rainbows, including its theme song, somewhere over the rainbow. A deadly flower might seem curious at first, but poppies, of course, are no ordinary bloom. 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. Frank baum wrote the childrens fantasy book the wonderful wizard of oz in 1900. Written in the 1900s was later on published on september 1, 1900 3. 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. They can also act as inner demons guarding protected memories or alters. The book on which its based is officially named the wonderful wizard of oz, but hollywood dropped the wonderful as superfluous. All of the baum written books are in the public domain in the united states.
More than a hundred years after the release of this book, kids everywhere are still enchanted by ozs world of wonder. Political interpretations of the wonderful wizard of oz. This theory corresponds better with the book, where oz is more about duplicity and illusion, than the movie. Dorothys journey in the land of oz symbolized mans journey through the afterlife to rebirth. Garland won the role of dorothy despite substantial competition. Frank baum was purchased in 1972 at sotheby parke bernet on behalf of a private collector. 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. The wonderful wizard of oz is too long to be a parable and not quite didactic enough to be an allegory. 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. Yellow brick road symbolism, in wizard of oz architecture. Frank baums childrens book the wonderful wizard of oz, released in movie theaters in 1939 and nominated for an oscar award for best cinematography and color the internet movie database. Unlike the childrens book, the movie was not an immediate sensation.
Mar 06, 2017 in his introduction to the wonderful wizard of oz, l. The souls journey on the golden path unknown binding january 1, 2005 4. Benjamin blankenbehler october 27, 2015 october 19, 2016 0. 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. 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. Could it have been affected or even allegorical to the. The wizard of oz and political symbolism book and media.
As a theosophist, baum believed in a literal afterlife. The wizard of oz is more than just a childrens story. 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 wonderful wizard of oz is a childrens book written by l. It was adapted into a broadway musical by baum in 1902, and then into its first movie adaption in 1939 after baums death.
In the book and the play the shoes are silver, not ruby as they were famously depicted in the 1939 film. 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. The objective of her travels is to wizard the wizard of oz in emerald city so that she can go home. Oct 27, 2015 frank baum put hidden symbols in his book the wonderful wizard of oz. Frank baum was the author of the wonderful wizard of oz. Baum published the book in 1900, just after the us emerged from a period of deflation and depression. Oct 08, 2009 sharetweetemailwith its memorable story and its cast of colorful characters, the wizard of oz quickly became an american classic. Like the american dream, hard work is rewarded with the achievement of ones goals. The novel the wonderful wizard of oz has deep and underlying meanings that symbolize various ideas. What is the deeper meaning of the wonderful wizard of oz. Jun 05, 2017 a kansas cyclone carries young dorothy and her dog, toto, to a magical land both frightening and beautiful yet her most difficult task will be to simply fi. 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 annotated wizard of oz, based on the original text by frank baum and including a variety of illustrations including original color plates by w. In the book, the tin man, scarecrow and dorothy all saw the wizard quite differently. The wonderful wizard of oz study guide contains a biography of l. Popular culture revolving around oz usually relates to the first movie, however, this lesson will give you details about the book. And the central message in the book is all about the rise of populism and the debate over gold versus silver. Still, the main characters dorothy, the scarecrow, the tin woodman, and the lion embody traditional american values. The wizard of oz symbolism goes incredibly deep, from the main characters to the cyclone, those famous slippers, and even toto.
The wizard of oz film symbols, allegory and motifs over the rainbow symbol dorothy gale is bored by her life on the farm, and she lives in a world literally without color. What is the deeper meaning of the wonderful wizard of oz by. 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. 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. 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. It was from the collective unconscious, a bubbling cauldron of archetypal images, that the wizard of oz was birthed into existence in 1900 as a book and later reincarnated as a movie in 1939.
Few, however, recognize that, under its deceptive simplicity, the story of the wizard of oz. The political and economic symbols hidden inside the. Political interpretations of the wonderful wizard of oz wikipedia. Hearn has collected an enormous number of pictures and illustrations from many versions and variations of the wonderful wizard of oz. Dorothys journey in oz symbolized the golden path in the afterlife. Even while he was alive, baum was styled as the royal historian of oz to. Frank baum, who went on to write fourteen fulllength oz books. Does the wonderful wizard of oz contain a political agenda. Frank baum put hidden symbols in his book the wonderful wizard of oz. All alone and desperate to find her way home, dorothy is told that she must follow the yellow brick.
Even though film critics of the day may have lauded it as such. What is the symbolic meaning of the wizard of oz answers. 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. Populism and the world of oz national museum of american history.
The secret political symbolism you never knew was hidden. A beginners guide to decoding esoteric symbolism in film. The symbolism hidden within the wizard of oz jabajabba. This symbolizes the cynicism that exists in politics due to the fact that politicians tend to change face. On a stormy day she was swept away, farmhouse and all, in a tornado from her beloved home, family and friends, and she was setdown in the faraway land of the munchkins. Yet the original oz book conceals an unsuspected depth. 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. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. 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. Symbolism in the wonderful wizard of oz by frank l. The occult roots of the wizard of oz the vigilant citizen. Only dorothys silver slippers can take her home to kansas, meaning that by dorothy not realizing that she had the silver slippers the whole time, dorothy, or the westerners, never realized they already had a viable currency of the people. Frank baum, is a book that has transcended its time and place more than a century after its publication, it remains a seminal piece of popular culture helped, of course, by the iconic 1939 film adaptation starring judy garland.
Explain the symbols in the wizard of oz and why each symbol. Frank baum, was born may 15, 1856 in chittenango, new york. 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. Over the rainbow symbol dorothy gale is bored by her life on the farm, and she lives in a world literally without color. Original title page of the wonderful wizard of oz by l. The winged money created the fear of always being watched. The movie, released the same year as gone with the wind, was the product of five different directors and a myriad of studio writers, continually assigned. 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. Apr 15, 20 nprs backseat book club is going back to where the yellow brick road began with the original book that started it all, the wonderful wizard of oz.
Frank baum and originally published in 1900, may have been inspired by the reallife economic struggles during the gold standard. Political symbolism the wizard represents political leaders, particularly any of the us presidents during the late 19th century. On a stormy and dark day she is swept away in a tornado and lands in a faraway land of the munchkins. Although the wizard of oz is widely perceived as an innocent childrens fairy tale, it is almost impossible not to attribute a symbolic meaning to dorothys quest. Longing for a more exciting life, dorothy sings the nowclassic american standard over the rainbow about her dream of going somewhere more exciting than kansas. 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. And it turns out that the wizard of oz is full of hidden political symbolism, which sometimes seems barely hidden at all. The rainbow is a bridge between the real and imaginary worlds. Symbolism of the tornado in the wizard of oz architecture. A fragmented dust jacket for a first edition of wonderful wizard of oz 1900 by l. The wizard of oz follows the story of dorothy, a young farm girl from kansas.
American dream within the wizard of oz morgan evans. By the time the book entered the public domain in 1956, the wonderful wizard of oz had sold three million copies. The cyclone that brought dorothy to the land of oz had a literal and symbolic meaning from his religion. What do the colors symbolize in the wizard of oz wizard of oz background.
The wizard of oz film symbols, allegory and motifs. Political interpretations of the wonderful wizard of oz include treatments of the modern fairy tale written by l. Populism and the world of oz national museum of american. Frank baum, literature essays, a complete etext, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. The obvious symbolism is that the main characters each desire a quality they believe is lacking. This childhood classic is riddled with esoteric symbolism, and while some believe that the story is an allegory for preserving the gold standard for money, as opposed to paperbacksilver currency it is important to note that the author of. What is the symbolism found in the novel the wonderful wizard of oz by l. It was adapted into a broadway musical by baum in 1902, and then into its first. Oct 08, 2015 the author of the wonderful wizard of oz, l. And the central message in the book is all about the rise of populism and the debate over. The wizard of oz is the story of dorothy, a young farm girl from kansas.
The secret jewish history of the wizard of oz the forward. 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. What is the symbolism found in the novel the wonderful. What i didnt know as a child most adults i meet are similarly oblivious is that l. Historians have found a number of symbols in the wizard of oz, and they all point to one thing. 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. The famous musical tells a story of a young girl dorothy who gets lost in the land of oz and travels long and. Dorothy, the main character in the novel, is said to represent the.
Heres the real, forgotten meaning of the wizard of oz. Frank baums book the wonderful wizard of oz, upon which the movie is based, was a political allegory. Christian sermons have discussed the wizard of oz s biblical meanings, comparing dorothys song over the rainbow to the end of the tale of noahfrom the book of genesis, or claiming that the. The book was in the earliest binding state, but the presence. Oz is the wizard that dorothy and the others travel to see in the wonderful wizard of oz. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of the wizard of oz film by richard thorpe. The wizard of oz film essays are academic essays for citation.
American politics in the 1890s, when baum was writing the book. The wizard of oz also functions as a spiritual allegory, showing people how they can make miracles happen in even the most difficult of circumstances just by relying on the natural gifts they. In the wizard of oz, characters like glinda the good witch represent the mother archetype because she looks out for dorothy, and toto represent the trickster, because he is always creating problems. Many people are not aware that the wonderful wizard of oz is suspected to have referenced several political issues of the late 1800s. 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. However here are some of the symbols that have been suggested for the wizard of oz. Written in 1900, it was surrounded by arguments about populism and bimetalism.
Frank baum wrote 14 wizard of oz books, but his biggest home run was 1900s the wonderful wizard of oz, which mgm turned into a wonderful wizard of oz movie. Frank baum and first published in 1900 as an allegory or metaphor for the political, economic, and social events of america in the 1890s. The text of the baums oz is a reproduction of the original and therefore lovely to look at. The wizard of oz, which celebrates its 80th birthday this year, was created by jewish artists including yip harburg and harold arlen. Scholars have examined four quite different versions of oz. What is the symbolism found in the novel the wonderful wizard of. Thinking the great wizard of oz can grant her wish, she sets out to meet him with her beloved dog, toto, joined by a scarecrow, a tin woodman and a lion. In the wizard of oz, dorothy along with the scarecrow, tin man, and the cowardly lion all must trek along the land of oz to get to the emerald city, following the yellow brick road, in order to get dorothy back home. The wonderful wizard of oz 1939, like many fairy tales depicting a series of fantastic adventures, is really the story of an individuals inner journeya story of personality integration and coming of age. The bad wizard of oz is a childrens novel written by 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. The occult roots of the wizard of oz symbols rule the world.
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. Some historians believe oz stands for an abbreviation of the weight measure, ounce. Right when dorothy enters oz, glinda is there for her, giving her the ruby slippers, and telling her to follow the yellow brick road. Both the book and movie have been recognised as classic literature for children and adults alike. 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. The symbolism of the wicked witch the wizard of oz turn me on, dead man. Following the yellow brick road back to the origins of oz. As in all great stories, the characters and the symbols of the wizard. The wizard of oz and its hidden political agenda youtube. During her travels she encounters a number of characters, some good, some bad. The wizard of oz is one of the best examples of the usage of color to convey a complex idea. The founder of theosophy, helena blavatsky, told a reallife tale very similar to the whirlwind that brought dorothy to oz. 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. But some scholars have found hidden criticisms of late.
Frank baums classic as a political and monetary allegory, dighe concludes that the story is almost certainly not a conscious populist allegory, but, like parker, he believes the book works as one 2002, 8. 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. But while the wizard of oz as a political satire makes fun of politics and the pomposity it breeds, there is something more to the book than just this. The wizard of oz symbols, allegory and motifs gradesaver. In his book the wonderful wizard of oz in american popular culture, neil. Frank baum claims that the book is simply an innocent childrens story. Judy garland as dorothy gale, in the 1939 film the wizard of oz. Friedman october 10th 2014 us hisotry block 7 the wizard of oz has been a popular and symbolic film throughout our previous history. Here are 16 hidden symbols and messages that you might never have noticed before in l. Interesting fact related to rare oz dust jacket from appraising rare and collectible childrens book.
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