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. In addition, the film can be used in language arts classes. Quotes from the story such as toto, i have a feeling were not in kansas anymore, lions, and tigers, and bears. The wonderful wizard of oz character analysis course hero. 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. Most people wouldnt hesitate to call the wonderful wizard of oz a classic of american childrens literature. Populism and the world of oz national museum of american. Inside youll find 30 daily lessons, 20 fun activities, 180 multiple choice questions, 60 short essay questions, 20 essay questions, quizzeshomework assignments, tests, and more. As well as being a wonderful and exciting adventure for children, the.
Though regarded by many as a harmless childrens tale, the wonderful wizard of oz was crafted by l. The wonderful wizard of oz chapters xviix summary and analysis. Political interpretations of the wonderful wizard of oz include treatments of the modern fairy tale as an allegory or metaphor for the political, economic, and. 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. Literature study guidesthe wonderful wizard of ozcharacter analysis. Frank baums novel the wonderful wizard of oz is no doubt filled with many symbols and allegories that continue to excite readers. The matrix trilogy study guide film and literary references certain film genres, such as scifi or anime, but others are more significant. Frank baum wrote the childrens fantasy book the wonderful wizard of oz in 1900. Denslow paid to have 24 color plates included in the book. The political and economic symbols hidden inside the wizard of oz.
Juxtaposition juxtaposition is when the author places two themes, characters, phrases, words, or situations together for the purpose of a contrast or comparison the theme of. The final book was published in 1920, the year after his death. Sep 21, 2009 the wonderful wizard of oz is a traditional fairy tale to which baum added a peculiarly american twist. A historical analysis of the wonderful wizard of oz in the movie, the wonderful wizard of oz, written by l. A modern fairy tale with a distinctly american setting, a delightfully levelheaded and assertive heroine, and engaging fantasy characters, the story was enormously popular and became a classic of childrens literature. Frank baum, a little orphan girl named dorothy is adopted by her uncle henry and her aunt em. The wonderful wizard of oz is often read as an allegory for 1900s american. Immediately download the the wonderful wizard of oz summary, chapterbychapter analysis, book notes, essays, quotes, character descriptions, lesson plans, and more everything you need for studying or teaching the wonderful wizard of oz. The wizard of oz analysis these notes were contributed by members of the gradesaver community. The story most of us are familiar with is based on l. 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. 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. Political interpretations of the wonderful wizard of oz include treatments of the modern fairy tale 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. The wonderful wizard of oz chapter 11 summary course hero. On the way she meets the scarecrow, the tin woodman and the cowardly lion. Frank baum was born near chittenango, new york in 1856.
The wonderful wizard of oz is a traditional fairy tale to which baum added a. The wonderful wizard of oz the wonderful wizard of oz is a fictional adventurefantasy that was written by l. Annotated version of the wonderful wizard of oz with indepth literary analysis ebook. Essays for the wizard of oz film the wizard of oz film essays are academic essays for citation. What is the conflict in the wonderful wizard of oz. The wonderful wizard of oz, childrens book written by l. For the rest, see here dorothy is a little girl from kansas whose farmhouse is carried away to oz by a cyclone, with her and her dog toto inside. The wonderful wizard of oz essays are academic essays for citation. The wonderful wizard of oz essay topics pick one of the following and write a 5paragraph compare or contrast essay.
We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own. Frank baums famous childrens novel the wonderful wizard of oz was first published on may 17, 1900. But there are loads of other imaginative touches, including a talking scarecrow, a man made of tin, armless men with projectile headsthe list goes on. The wonderful wizard of oz lesson plan contains a variety of teaching materials that cater to all learning styles. While he does come from another world, he does not seem to be much different from the creatures of oz, his understanding of the mechanics of the world is the only criteria that separates him from them. In his book the wonderful wizard of oz in american popular culture, neil. Sackett examines ozs value system and detail and sees there respect for individual freedom and nonconformity, the absence of militarism, equality of the sexes, etc. Henry littlefield argues that the wizard of oz is a story representing populism a philosophy that supports the rights of the people, and the 1896 presidential election between william jennings bryan and william mckinley. The people of oz gathered around when they heard the news. The guardian at the gate was surprised to see the returning travelers and especially stunned to hear that the wicked witch of the west was dead. Today it is more commonly known under the shortened title, the wizard of oz. Frank baum, literature essays, a complete etext, quiz questions, major. Yet if a childrens classic can be defined as a book.
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 often read as an allegory for 1900s american economic policy, which upheld the gold standard, a policy linking the value of. Political interpretations of the wonderful wizard of oz wikipedia. Following the yellow brick road back to the origins of oz.
That question has answers conducive to the kinds of analysis that became extremely timely in 1900, the year mr. Oh, my, and theres no place like home, are ones that will always pop into our heads when someone. The wizard of oz was intended to hit the same audience as snow white, and wont fail for lack of trying. The wonderful wizard of oz was such a phenomenal success that baum was called upon to produce numerous sequels. The wonderful wizard of oz is a childrens book about a girl named dorothy who befriends a scarecrow, a tin woodsman, and a. What is the analysis of the wonderful wizard of oz answers. 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. Baums sequel to the wonderful wizard of oz is a blatant satire of certain strands of the womens suffrage movement huebel 35. The political and economic symbols hidden inside the. The wizard of oz film literary elements gradesaver. Find a summary of this and each chapter of the wonderful wizard of oz. The wonderful wizard of oz study guide contains a biography of l. Since then, there have been many interpretations, from religious allegory to an acid trip.
The wonderful wizard of oz study guide course hero. Frank baums the wonderful wizard of oz, chapter 11 summary. Frank baums first oz book, the wonderful wizard of oz. In addition to the usual talking animals, evil witches, scary forest, and. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of the wizard of oz film by richard thorpe. Baum wrote and directed broadway plays, but his success was writing more oz books. Frank grew up with a heart condition so he couldnt play physically like other children so he developed a creative side, so he decided to write stories. Baum introduced dorothy, the wizard, the tin woodman and friends in the wonderful. Still, the main characters dorothy, the scarecrow, the tin woodman, and the lion embody traditional american values. Aug 24, 2009 that question has answers conducive to the kinds of analysis that became extremely timely in 1900, the year mr.
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. To get home, she must find the wonderful wizard in the emerald city of oz. One of the most beloved childrens classic books that involve a great deal of situational irony throughout its pages is the wonderful wizard of oz by l. Mar 08, 20 in 1939, as the movie version of oz was becoming hot in the states, a russian named alexander melentyevich volkov translated baums original wonderful wizard of oz, added a few chapters, changed dorothys name to ellie and oz s name to magic land, and released the book, the wizard of the emerald city, as his own with no royalties to baum. Conflict is an essential element of any story, adding drama, developing. Introduction, rising action, climax, falling action and conclusion make up the analysis of the wonderful wizard of oz. The film is perennially popular because it explores many of the issues and fears that children ages 5 12 must confront as they mature. The bad wizard of oz is a childrens novel written by l. The wizard of oz is a classic musical, beloved by children and their parents for generations.
Following the yellow brick road back to the origins of oz before the movies, broadway musicals and halloween costumes, l. The wizard of oz is a simple man, who did not ask to be there, but made it his mission to rule to the best of his capabilities. A historical analysis of the wonderful wizard of oz 81 words 6 pages. Ive always thought the wizard of oz to be a classic example of the heros journey, following the cyclical paradigm of the odyssey starting at home kansas, traveling to an extraordinary world of adventure oz, then returning home. Juxtaposition juxtaposition is when the author places two themes, characters, phrases, words, or situations together for the purpose of a contrast or comparison the theme of self confidence is used through. The following is the application of that analysis to the wonderful wizard of oz by lyman frank baum may 15, 1856 may 6, 1919. Frank baum, was an american author chiefly known for his children s books, particularly the wonderful wizard of oz.
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 adaptation as well as the iconic 1939 liveaction. The wonderful wizard of oz homework help questions. Apr 15, 20 following the yellow brick road back to the origins of oz before the movies, broadway musicals and halloween costumes, l. Frank baum synopsis dorothy thinks shes lost forever when a tornado whirls her and her dog, toto, into a magical world. Specifically, an analysis is an act of breaking something into its. The wizard of oz is now almost universally acknowledged to be the earliest truly feminist american childrens book, because of spunky and tenacious dorothy, wrote the american literary. It has dwarfs, music, technicolor, freak characters, and judy garland. Frank baum published the wonderful wizard of oz and became the father of the american fairy tale. The wonderful wizard of oz analysis the wonderful wizard of oz is often read as an allegory for 1900s american economic policy, which upheld the gold standard, a policy linking the value of. The book on which its based is officially named the wonderful wizard of oz, but hollywood dropped the wonderful as superfluous. The wonderful wizard of oz lesson plans for teachers. After his death in 1919, his publishers commissioned ruth plumly thompson to continue writing sequels. Bbc culture picks out five of the most interesting.
The wonderful wizard of oz is too long to be a parable and not quite didactic enough to be an allegory. But i gained an even deeper appreciation for the symbolic, psychological, and emotional life of the movie when i analyzed it. It spawned many sequels, beginning with the marvelous land of oz. Playwright frank baum lyman frank baum may 15, 1856 may 6, 1919, better known by his pen name l. As previously mentioned, situational irony is when the author creates a situation and leads the reader to expect a certain ending when in fact a completely different ending ends up occur winokur 12. Dorothy is a little girl from kansas whose farmhouse is carried away to oz by a cyclone, with her and her dog toto inside. Scholars have examined four quite different versions of oz.
Is the conflict in the wizard of oz man vs fate or man vs self. 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. Over the years, both book and movie have fueled a number of elaborate theories as to the storys deeper meanings. The wonderful wizard of oz literature essay samples. Frank baum in 1900, was an instant success, which has been much homaged and parodied. The wonderful wizard of oz was published in 1900 but only after frank and w. Denslow, who shared the, it was the nations bestselling childrens book for two years and sold more than five million copies before its expired in 1956. The wonderful wizard of oz is a childrens book about a girl named dorothy who befriends a scarecrow, a tin woodsman, and a cowardly lion while traveling through the. Frank baums the wonderful wizard of oz offer summary and analysis on themes, symbols, and other literary devices found in the text. The wonderful wizard of oz summary and analysis of. A small sampling of the most obvious film references includes 2001, the wizard of oz, star wars, alien, men in black, the. As times change, symbols and overall messages are interpreted. Frank baums the wonderful wizard of oz was a smash hit of a childrens.
The wonderful wizard of oz summary and analysis of chapters xviix. The wonderful wizard of oz is often referred to as the first american fairy tale. 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. Political interpretations of the wonderful wizard of oz.
On that image alone we could rest our case that the wonderful wizard of oz is a fanciful book. Frank baum, literature essays, a complete etext, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. It was adapted into a broadway musical by baum in 1902, and then into its first. Frank baums life, the origins of oz documentary, and the film, the wizard of oz, it was often noted that baums life shared major similarities between the book and film.
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