Frank Baum's, "The Wizard of Oz,"" has often been referred to as the first American fairytale. Despite being written in the 1890's, the book had continued success into the turn of the century due to the ethical and moral needs of Americans that were fulfilled by the fable. Many Americans at the time were startled by the new industrialization and urbanization that was rapidly occurring, fearful that traditional Victorian society would be eradicated. Baum, on the other hand, was a proponent of this new consumer society, evident by the extremely positive stance that he takes on technology. Similar to "Little Red Riding Hood,"" the novel contains a journey by an isolated heroin, Dorothy, who is accompanied by magical helpers "the Scarecrow, Lion, and Tin Man "through an enchanted forest, where they encounter many obstacles that must be overcome to complete their objective. Baum, combining all these elements of a classic fairytale, refrains from writing about fairies and imaginary things; he focuses his attention on real world entities that the reader can relate to, which helps to provide a soothing feeling to a new, urban society. .
"The Wizard of Oz,"" takes a positive approach toward the change from Agrarian to urban life that was taking place; Baum seems to be telling the country, "It's all good."" This stance fits in with the positive thinking movement that was prevalent at the time; many felt that thinking constructively would yield favorable results, and vice versa. In the novel, the Scarecrow acquires knowledge by "thinking- he has a brain, the Lion gains courage by "thinking- he has it, and the Tin Man grows a heart in the same fashion. Contrary to conservative ideas at the beginning of the twentieth century, Baum's concentration on the rewards of a new consumer society serves as a guilt reducer for readers at the time. The story helped relieve Americans of their sense of absence that a shortened work day and increased leisure time had helped to produce.
Spring 2002 Essay # 3 Coincidence The big question: is it really happening? ... Judging by the theories made it is doubtful that Pink Floyd truly intended to match their best selling album with The Wizard of Oz. ... Most of the lyrics simultaneously follow the Wizard of Oz 1938 movie. ... Pink Floyd and the movie The Wizard of Oz, are a phenomenon of synchronicity. ...
Frank Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." ... The land of Oz is currently under a great downfall economically and socially under the rule of the Wizard. Oz is becoming segregated and racist, typically between humans and the talking Animals. Although the Animals once lived comfortably and acceptingly in Oz, they are now being treated poorly and shunned due to the Wizard's government system which entails that "Animals should be seen and not heard". ... I watched a play that was called "Wicked" that the drama club at my high school reenacted and I wrote an essay o...
Salman Rushdie: Haroun and the Sea of Stories (1990) 1. The Author Salman Rushdie was born 1947 in Bombay, India. He lived in England since 1961 where he attended a Rugby School. Later he received his MA from King's College, Cambridge. He worked as a copywriter for advertising agencies and as ...
In this essay, two great American novels are compared: The Adventures of Huck Finn by Mark Twain and The Catcher In The Rye by J.D. ... An example of this is in The Wizard of Oz, when the movie goes from black and white to color, showing a visual symbolic death. ... The Zone of Magnified Power is found within the Zone Unknown but is a place which has mystical and mysterious powers, such as the Emerald City in The Wizard of Oz. ...
Shefali Syed Phil 120 September 25th 2014 Saley Essay 1: Socratic Dialogue Known as "America's Sweetheart", Sandra Bullock is one of the most popular actresses in Hollywood today. ... Sandra: Well when I think of courage I automatically think of The Wizard of Oz and the lion that had no courage. ...
