The power of human connection as explored through the medium of literature resonates beyond personal perception, prompting individuals to contemplate their sense of worth and place in society. These concepts are explored in L. Frank Baum’s classic novel ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 1939 film appropriation ‘The Wizard of Oz’ . The focus of the texts is the exploration of innocence in children and importance of self-sufficiency, highlighting the indecisive nature of society.
The novel ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ acts as a reaction to the progressive era, a time of political reform and social activism. As seen in the plot with the Wizard of Oz asking Dorothy to kill the Wicked Witch of the West so as to keep the Land of Oz a place of safety. The context of the progressive era prompts Baum to question the political standing of America regarding the economic standing during this time, as symbolically represented through the characterisation of the Wizard of Oz who symbolises the President and is characterised as a man who does not value self integrity.
The overarching value of human connection resonates beyond the original text, as appropriated by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer productions in the musical fantasy film ‘The Wizard of Oz’. Context for the film is a reaction to the interwar period between World War I and World War II, a time marked by turmoil for Europe as the struggle of recovering from the First World War affected nations globally. The importance of human connection was highlighted throughout the film appropriation in the characterisation of Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin-Man and Cowardly Lion as they grow in self appreciation for their worth as a direct result of human connections.
Values reflected in the texts endured throughout the ages with the focus on hard work, modesty, fortitude and simplicity explored in the characterisation of Scarecrow, Tin-Woodman and Cowardly Lion, who act as mentors to Dorothy, a child of simplicity. Emphasising the overarching value throughout the texts as human connection, as the exploration of self prompts contemplation by the responder.
John Powell stated that: “It is an absolute human certainty that no one can know his own beauty or perceive a sense of his own worth until it has been reflected back to him in the mirror of another loving, caring human being.” For human connection is a value that resonates beyond generations and assists individuals in personal growth and self exploration. For my personal appropriation of ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’, the use of a suite of poems emphasising the characterisation of Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin-Woodman and the Cowardly Lion as aided by sensory experience, characterises human connection and its importance for an individuals sense of worth.
Metonymic symbolism as seen in the poems conveys the exploration of ideas and growth in character throughout the texts. Use of an omniscient narrator in the third person is a symbolic representation for the Wizard of Oz, as perceived throughout the text as an all-knowing figure who is to be respected, acting as the voice of reason.
The suite of poems is set in the form of cyclic poetry with emphasis on the visual imagery of the yellow brick road. Each poem begins with emphasis on a specific value as seen in Dorothy’s poem: ’For youth is golden…’ symbolically representing the yellow brick road as referenced at the end of each poem: ‘For we all need to follow the yellow brick road’. Symbolising an individuals journey and how a shift in personal perception is necessary to find value in qualities possessed by individuals such as youth, knowledge, love and courage.
Dorothy’s poem focuses on the indecisive nature of youth and the personal journey Dorothy undertook. This is represented through use of visual imagery supported by aural imagery thus incorporating the musicality of ‘The Wizard of Oz’. Visual imagery as seen throughout the texts in the yellow brick road, silver slippers and Emerald City, are symbolic for the faith and hope Dorothy places in the mysterious Land of Oz.
Scarecrow’s poem focuses on connotations of knowledge and self-sufficiency, regarding the value and worth Scarecrow places in intelligence through the use of verbs, as seen in Descartes’ philosophy of cognito ergo sum: ‘I think therefore I am’.
Tin-Woodman’s poem focuses on his belief that he does not possess a heart and thus is of no worth. Use of visual imagery of a tin-can being filled with soil that is planted and watered symbolises an individuals growth when exploring their inner values and connecting with individuals. Thus acknowledging Tin-Woodman’s self worth, as he is a representation of the tin can and its worth in the process of growth.
Cowardly Lion’s poem explores the qualities of a lion as conveyed through the use of tactile connotations, emphasising to the responder the importance of human connections in becoming self-sufficient and aware during personal growth.
For the perception an individual holds of themselves cannot foster and grow without a sense of worth as developed through human connection. This connection and growth between the characters throughout the texts demonstrates the necessity of connection in becoming self sufficient.
The novel ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ acts as a reaction to the progressive era, a time of political reform and social activism. As seen in the plot with the Wizard of Oz asking Dorothy to kill the Wicked Witch of the West so as to keep the Land of Oz a place of safety. The context of the progressive era prompts Baum to question the political standing of America regarding the economic standing during this time, as symbolically represented through the characterisation of the Wizard of Oz who symbolises the President and is characterised as a man who does not value self integrity.
The overarching value of human connection resonates beyond the original text, as appropriated by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer productions in the musical fantasy film ‘The Wizard of Oz’. Context for the film is a reaction to the interwar period between World War I and World War II, a time marked by turmoil for Europe as the struggle of recovering from the First World War affected nations globally. The importance of human connection was highlighted throughout the film appropriation in the characterisation of Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin-Man and Cowardly Lion as they grow in self appreciation for their worth as a direct result of human connections.
Values reflected in the texts endured throughout the ages with the focus on hard work, modesty, fortitude and simplicity explored in the characterisation of Scarecrow, Tin-Woodman and Cowardly Lion, who act as mentors to Dorothy, a child of simplicity. Emphasising the overarching value throughout the texts as human connection, as the exploration of self prompts contemplation by the responder.
John Powell stated that: “It is an absolute human certainty that no one can know his own beauty or perceive a sense of his own worth until it has been reflected back to him in the mirror of another loving, caring human being.” For human connection is a value that resonates beyond generations and assists individuals in personal growth and self exploration. For my personal appropriation of ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’, the use of a suite of poems emphasising the characterisation of Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin-Woodman and the Cowardly Lion as aided by sensory experience, characterises human connection and its importance for an individuals sense of worth.
Metonymic symbolism as seen in the poems conveys the exploration of ideas and growth in character throughout the texts. Use of an omniscient narrator in the third person is a symbolic representation for the Wizard of Oz, as perceived throughout the text as an all-knowing figure who is to be respected, acting as the voice of reason.
The suite of poems is set in the form of cyclic poetry with emphasis on the visual imagery of the yellow brick road. Each poem begins with emphasis on a specific value as seen in Dorothy’s poem: ’For youth is golden…’ symbolically representing the yellow brick road as referenced at the end of each poem: ‘For we all need to follow the yellow brick road’. Symbolising an individuals journey and how a shift in personal perception is necessary to find value in qualities possessed by individuals such as youth, knowledge, love and courage.
Dorothy’s poem focuses on the indecisive nature of youth and the personal journey Dorothy undertook. This is represented through use of visual imagery supported by aural imagery thus incorporating the musicality of ‘The Wizard of Oz’. Visual imagery as seen throughout the texts in the yellow brick road, silver slippers and Emerald City, are symbolic for the faith and hope Dorothy places in the mysterious Land of Oz.
Scarecrow’s poem focuses on connotations of knowledge and self-sufficiency, regarding the value and worth Scarecrow places in intelligence through the use of verbs, as seen in Descartes’ philosophy of cognito ergo sum: ‘I think therefore I am’.
Tin-Woodman’s poem focuses on his belief that he does not possess a heart and thus is of no worth. Use of visual imagery of a tin-can being filled with soil that is planted and watered symbolises an individuals growth when exploring their inner values and connecting with individuals. Thus acknowledging Tin-Woodman’s self worth, as he is a representation of the tin can and its worth in the process of growth.
Cowardly Lion’s poem explores the qualities of a lion as conveyed through the use of tactile connotations, emphasising to the responder the importance of human connections in becoming self-sufficient and aware during personal growth.
For the perception an individual holds of themselves cannot foster and grow without a sense of worth as developed through human connection. This connection and growth between the characters throughout the texts demonstrates the necessity of connection in becoming self sufficient.