Heres an icebreaker to throw out at your next party. 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. Populism and the world of oz national museum of american. Hidden christian themes in the wizard of oz faith and. In the book, the tin man, scarecrow and dorothy all saw the wizard quite differently. Frank baum was editor of the aberdeen saturday pioneer. The book and movie are about a little girls adventures in the land called oz. 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. Dec 19, 2017 i discuss the occulthidden meaning of the wizard of oz through the eyes of the author l. The classic film was first shown 75 years ago but what is it really about. 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. If playback doesnt begin shortly, try restarting your device. The wonderful wizard of oz or oz the abbreviation for an ounce of gold.
The story of the wizard of oz and over the rainbow is a story with deep roots in american history, literature, and music. Frank baum claims that the book is simply an innocent childrens story. 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. Oz, the 1939 a very popular us musical a film that uses. The bad wizard of oz is a childrens novel written by l. Comments and insights on the name oz personal experiences with the name oz nicknames for oz. Little can be learnt from baum about the modern economic crisis, says professor taylor, although in both instances people have demanded more government action.
Wizard of oz, the wonderful definition at, a free online dictionary with pronunciation, synonyms and translation. The wizard of oz 1939 the yellow brick road is said to represent the gold standard, and emerald city could be a standin for washington, d. Over the years, both book and movie have fueled a number of elaborate theories as to the storys deeper meanings. Frank baum and originally published in 1900, may have been inspired by the reallife economic struggles during the gold standard. The entire story of the wizard of oz is an allegorical tale of the souls path to illumination the yellow brick road. The wonderful wizard of oz is too long to be a parable and not quite didactic enough to be an allegory. Oz origin and meaning the name oz is a boys name of hebrew origin meaning strength, powerful, courageous. The wonderful wizard of oz was, littlefield thought, a midwesterners vibrant and ironic portrait of this country as it entered the twentieth century. Scholars have examined four quite different versions of oz. The movie is based on the childrens book the wonderful wizard of oz by l. In the story of the wizard of oz, dorothy, the tin man, the scarecrow and the lion defeat the wicked witch and return to the emerald city. Author and oz series originator frank lyman baum may 15, 1856may 6, 1919 isnt known to have left any indication of a symbolic meaning to his story or its characters. Frank baum, or any of its adaptations, about the journey of dorothy through the magical land of oz in search of a way home.
The wizard of oz follows the story of dorothy, a young farm girl from kansas. The wizard of oz over the years has become one of the truly classic movies among children and adults alike. In henry littlefields populist reading of the wizard of oz, dorothy is miss everyman and a symbol of the hardships and hopes of drought. Political symbolism in the wonderful wizard of oz many people are not aware that the wonderful wizard of oz is suspected to have referenced several political issues of the late 1800s. The political and economic symbols hidden inside the. Bbc culture surveys bizarre suggestions, from religious allegory to. It was produced by mgm and released by rko in 1939.
But some scholars have found hidden criticisms of late. Heres the real, forgotten meaning of the wizard of oz video. The question and answer section for the wizard of oz film is a great resource to ask. Frank baum and first published in 1900 as an allegory or metaphor for the political, economic, and social events of america in the 1890s. This classic work of childrens fiction, which in the hundredplus years since it was written has become perhaps the most familiar fictional story in the world, is in fact a sly political. This may be a legitimate hebrew name denoting power, but to any american kid, it will evoke ruby slippers and a yellow brick road. In fact, we still hear over the rainbow all the time, and new versions continue to land on international music charts. Jan 04, 2019 here is the guidance offered to you by the story of the wizard of oz.
The secret political symbolism you never knew was hidden. 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. 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. Judy garland as dorothy gale, in the 1939 film the wizard of oz.
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. Heres the real, forgotten meaning of the wizard of oz sara silverstein. The wizard of oz is more than just a childrens story. Political interpretations of the wonderful wizard of oz include treatments of the modern fairy tale as an allegory or. Wizard of oz meaning the wizard of oz what it really means.
The cyclone that brought dorothy to the land of oz had a literal and symbolic meaning from his religion. Drug trip view image of this video is no longer available. The political and economic symbols hidden inside the wizard of oz. Quotes from the story such as toto, i have a feeling were not in kansas anymore, lions, and tigers, and bears. The wizard of oz simple english wikipedia, the free. Frank baums classic book, the wizard of oz, the main character dorothy meets one of literatures most wily predators a dishonest, conniving, manipulative individual who uses a web of lies to control an entire country, even managing to orchestrate the murder of an opponent through unethical persuasion. On a stormy and dark day she is swept away in a tornado and lands in a faraway land of the munchkins.
Back in the 40s, grown ups would watch the movie just to get their minds of the war. The dark side you never knew about the wizard of oz. What is the deeper meaning of the wonderful wizard of oz by. Specifically, author and oz series originator lyman frank baum may 15, 1856 may 6, 1919 describes. The lead character, dorothy gale, symbolizes the average american. The symbolism hidden within the wizard of oz jabajabba. Wizard of oz, the meaning of wizard of oz, the in longman.
Whether you know it from watching judy garland as dorothy in the wizard of oz, or the soothing ukulele of israel iz kamakawiwoole, you no doubt know the song. A great series of book but most remembered as the 1939 film. Information and translations of wizard of oz in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. 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 wonderful wizard of oz, childrens book written by l. Still, the main characters dorothy, the scarecrow, the tin woodman, and the lion embody traditional american values. Mar 06, 2017 in his introduction to the wonderful wizard of oz, l. Oh, my, and theres no place like home, are ones that will always pop into our heads when someone. It has since seen several reprints, most often under the title the wizard of oz, which is the title of the popular 1902 broadway musical.
Because us history teachers have to ruin all goodness in the world and take an innocent childrens moviebook and make it political. Kathy smail works cited brief history of populism william jennings bryanhead of the populist movement focus of the 1896 presidential election was the standard of currency free silver only greenbacks currency that could be printed had to have gold backing it up wanted a. Dorothy gale, the lead character of the wonderful wizard of oz, is an 11yearold orphan girl who resides in kansas with her aunt em and uncle henry. But the key symbol is the wizard himself, a fraud who, like an untrustworthy political leader, does his best to divert the publics attention pay no. The founder of theosophy, helena blavatsky, told a reallife tale very similar to the whirlwind that brought dorothy to oz. Not everything is made clear in the wizard of oz, which is the first of the royal histories by author and oz series originator lyman frank baum may 15, 1856may 5, 1919. Wizard meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. Nov 09, 2016 frank baum, the author of the wonderful wizard of oz, grew up and lived in a world where the poppy and its derivative, opium, would have been a common part of everyday life. Frank baum the wizard, unsurprisingly, represents the president of the united states. Because everybody knows that this is the moral of the wizard of oz. If you have not read the book or seen the movie, you have probably at least heard the well known phrase i dont think were in kansas anymore or heard of toto, dorothys dog. Ranjit dighe, who wrote the historians wizard of oz, says it poked fun at theodore roosevelt and the populists, but baum was playing for laughs, like jay leno.
The wizard of oz as pictured in the wonderful wizard of oz by l. Political interpretations of the wonderful wizard of oz. What is the symbolic meaning of the wizard of oz answers. The wizard of oz has remained a classic american film since its creation in 1939. Frank baum and originally published in 1900, may have been inspired by the reallife economic struggles. Theres no solid evidence that baum had written it as a monetary allegory, he adds. The films star, judy garland, was launched into the stratosphere of hollywood stardom, and promised her a long career as a hollywood actress. The wizard any president of the united states, whose power was ultimately illusory. In buddhism and an important part of theosophical teachings the same concept is referred to as the golden path. This symbolizes the cynicism that exists in politics due to the fact that politicians tend to change face. In 1890, baum wrote a series of articles regarding theosophy, including his views on the use of mystic symbolism in fiction, something he put into practice ten years later with the wizard of oz. But many may be surprised to learn that the most popular childrens fantasy of alltime, l.
While the story of the wizard of oz is packed full of deep spiritual insights from start to finish, the first significant hidden message is shared with the viewer with the introduction of the wicked black witch of the west. The wizard of oz is famous for its unprecedented and innovative technicolor and beautiful set pieces. Here is the guidance offered to you by the story of the wizard of oz. They travel along the yellow brick road the gold standard to see the wizard, who could represent president grover cleveland or william mckinley. For years, fans have been drawn to behindthescenes gossip about the movie and the strange conspiracies surrounding the wizard of oz. Heres the real, forgotten meaning of the wizard of oz. Sep 02, 2016 the wonderful wizard of oz 1939, like many fairy tales depicting a series of fantastic adventures, is really the story of an individuals inner journeya story of personality integration and coming of age. The song over the rainbow is one of the most well known songs in the world. In his introduction to the wonderful wizard of oz, l. From longman dictionary of contemporary englishwizard of oz, thethe wizard of oz.
Political interpretations of the wonderful wizard of oz include treatments of the modern fairy tale written by l. Many people are not aware that the wonderful wizard of oz is suspected to have referenced several political issues of the late 1800s. Wizard of oz, the wonderful definition of wizard of oz. Wizard definition of wizard by the free dictionary. What is the meaning of the title the wizard of oz answers. The question and answer section for the wizard of oz film is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. 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 occult symbolism of the wizard of oz a positive. 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 wizard of oz and the gold standard business insider. In that context, he commented that the resolution of the wizard of oz the takeaway is to be grateful for what you have. The real meaning of these wizard of oz characters grunge.
Short form of names starting with the os oz prefix, such as osborne or oscar. In the story, the wizard is a charlatan who has convinced those around him that he wields great power, but who doesnt really have much power at all. Specifically, littlefield argued that the story of the wizard of oz was an elaborate metaphor for the populist movement a rising political force in the 1890s and a critique of the. What is the deeper meaning of the wonderful wizard of oz by l. The occult roots of the wizard of oz the vigilant citizen. Oz is an abbreviation for ounces, or is the land that dorothy visits in the wizard of oz. Who finally exposed the wizard for what he really was. The symbolic meaning of t he 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 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. Its hard to believe, but the wizard of oz, one of the most beloved movies of all time, celebrates its 71st birthday next month. This appears to be a message to expose the banking cartel in america, and to let the people know that they have the power to liquidate them and get back to kansas the real landrepublic habakkuk 2. 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. Oz the abbreviation for ounce, which was significant because bimetallists wanted silver coined along with gold at a ratio of sixteen ounces of silver for each ounces of gold.
The wizard of oz film symbols, allegory and motifs. Nov 20, 2015 kevin used the wizard of oz as an example to illustrate the five beats of a story. Carl jung and later joseph campbell described how certain symbols and motifs appear in mythology, fairy tales, stories, and religions throughout the world. 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. 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. 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.
But not everyone believes the wonderful wizard of oz includes any hidden meanings. Frank baums the wizard of oz, also has a deeper meaning. 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. Wizardofoz dictionary definition wizardofoz defined. Political interpretations of the wonderful wizard of oz wikipedia. Kevin used the wizard of oz as an example to illustrate the five beats of a story. The wizard of oz is a wonderful and, yet old, childrens movie. Nobody ever suggested it until 1964, says bradley hansen, who is a professor of economics at the university of mary washington.
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. Wizard of oz, the wonderful definition of wizard of oz, the. Oz itself is the abbreviation for ounce, which is the standard for measuring gold. The wizard of oz film symbols, allegory and motifs gradesaver. The green of the emerald city represents the dollar. In that context, he commented that the resolution of the wizard of ozthe takeaway is to be grateful for what you have. What is the deeper meaning of the wonderful wizard of oz. Aug 19, 2014 the wizard of oz was an optimistic secular therapeutic text. It is filled with symbols and metaphors, all pointing to other things. What is the symbolism of toto in the wizard of oz answers.