The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

This is one of the most famous stories of all time, but I was surprised at how unfamiliar it was to me. All I knew was the 1939 Judy Garland version, which leaves so much of the story out. Be prepared to have your world rocked by the real story as told by the great L. Frank Baum.

     A Brief Synopsis

Dorothy lived on a dull dreary farm in Kansas with her Uncle Henry, Aunt Em, and her little dog Toto. One day a cyclone lifted Dorothy and Toto in their house and took them to the Land of Oz. Dorothy is greeted by an old woman who calls herself the Good Witch of the North. It seems that Dorothy's house has killed the Wicked Witch of the East, freeing the Munchkins from slavery. Wanting nothing more than to return home, Dorothy is directed to the Emerald City where the Wizard of Oz may help her. Before she leaves, the Good Witch kisses Dorothy's forehead, leaving a silver mark of protection as well as giving her the Wicked Witch's silver shoes. With that, Dorothy sets off.

Along the way, Dorothy meets a Scarecrow, a Tin Woodman, and a Lion who join her on her journey for they wish for brains, a heart, and courage respectively. After many adventures including escaping the fearsome Kalidahs and being saved by the Queen of the mice, the gang reaches the Emerald City.

In order for their wishes to be granted, Oz commands the group to slay the Wicked Witch of the West. Frightful and unsure, but willing to do whatever it takes, Dorothy and her friends head for the West. Unfortunately, the Witch sees them coming and sends wolves, crows, and killer-bees to stop them but to no avail. She finally sends her flying monkeys who rip apart the Scarecrow, dump the Tin Woodman in a gorge, and enslave Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion. For a long time, Dorothy is forced to work for the Wicked Witch. The Witch desperately wants Dorothy's silver shoes, but doesn't dare go near her for fear of the Good Witch's mark on her forehead. She cleverly devises a way to knock the shoes off Dorothy's feet. This frustrates Dorothy so much that she tosses a bucket of water on the Witch. To her surprise, the Witch melts out of sight! Happily freed, Dorothy retrieves her friends and returns to Oz. 

When they return, the group discovers that Oz is a fraud! He ceremoniously gives each of Dorothy's friends what they desire and plans to take Dorothy home in a balloon. However, Oz accidentally leaves without her, so Dorothy is sent to see Glinda, the Good Witch of the South to see if she has any answers. The gang heads south and travels across a strange country made of china (porcelain) as well as encountering the rude Hammer-Heads. 

Finally, they reach Glinda who tells Dorothy that her silver shoes can take her home. Dorothy bids a tearful goodbye to her friends and they all return home: the Scarecrow to rule the Emerald City, the Tin Woodman to rule the Winkies in the West, the Lion to rule the forest, and Dorothy to go home to Kansas at last. The story ends with Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, standing in their new house (for their old one had vanished) and seeing Dorothy running towards them.

     My Thoughts

This story is great. Everyone knows it, but it holds so many untold secrets! Like, who knew that Dorothy's shoes were silver? Or that Glinda was the witch of the South, and different from the witch at the beginning of the story? That's what I've loved about reading all these old classics; you find out so much more about the story you thought you knew.

What I liked about Baum's writing was his portrayal of Dorothy's travelling companions. They believe themselves to be stupid, uncaring, or cowardly, but their actions speak differently. Whenever they were in trouble, it was the Scarecrow who always planned a cunning escape. The Tin Woodman hated harming any creature. When he accidentally stepped on a beetle he cried so much that his jaw rusted. And as for the Lion, he was willing to go up against the notorious Kalidahs to protect his friends. These are not the actions of the dumb, heartless, and fearful. Dorothy's friends didn't need to seek Oz; they were fully capable of granting their own wishes. Baum cunningly hid this amidst his intriguing tale.

This story has delighted audiences for generations. There are actually 14 Oz books telling many adventures of Dorothy and other citizens of the magical land. Although the writing is simple and to-the-point, the tale of Oz has lasted long and thrived....even though some details have been smudged.