The story of the Cowardly Lion in "The Wizard of Oz" is a timeless tale that teaches us about the importance of courage. By facing our fears, acknowledging our vulnerabilities, and doing what's right, we too can develop and demonstrate courage in our own lives.
The Oz story has become a classic because it blends elements of traditional magic, such as witches, with ones from early twentieth-century American reality, such as a Kansas cyclone, a scarecrow, and a man made of tin.
Perhaps the potency of the Oz story lies not in a specific interpretation of its meaning, but in its ability to serve as a blank canvas for so many kinds of American fantasies. Oz has been a way to explore themes of friendship between strangers; of journey and home; of human flourishing against the odds.
The story is an allegory for the rise of Populism that was occurring in the 1890s, as well as for the debate over whether to hold on to the gold standard for currency or to begin using silver.
One of the biggest adaptations is easily the Wicked musical. In 1995, Gregory Maguire wrote Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West which is based on The Wizard of Oz movie from 1939. This book follows the Wicked Witch of the West befriending Glinda the Good Witch.
What was the message at the end of The Wizard of Oz?
In the “Wizard of Oz,” the film ends with Dorothy realizing that while Oz has shown her an entirely new and possible world that exists beyond her imagination, her heart still yearns for her home in Kansas.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, children's book written by L. Frank Baum and first published in 1900. 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 children's literature.
The Wizard of Oz made utilising Technicolor's 3-strip color process. The 3-strip color process wasn't a type of color film; instead, it was a process in which a specially modified motion picture camera recorded the same scene through colored filters on three different strips of film.
For example, the first edition copies of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in 2010 worth from $3,000 to $50,000. In 2020 the same books worth between $6,000 to $100,000 and copies signed by the author can sell for over $100,000. Prices range depending on the condition and points of the book edition.
Frank Baum's book "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," upon which the movie is based, was a political allegory for American politics at the dawn of the 20th century. Dorothy, the Kansas innocent, represents the nobility of middle (and Midwestern) America; the Tin Man is industry, the Scarecrow is agriculture.
[last lines] Oh, but anyway, Toto, we're home – home! And this is my room – and you're all here – and I'm not going to leave here ever, ever again, because I love you all! And... oh, Auntie Em, there's no place like home!
How does The Wizard of Oz relate to the gold standard?
According to an article written in 1964 by Henry Littlefield, The Wizard of Oz was a commentary about the 'ongoing debates over the gold-standard monetary policy of the times'. The yellow brick road serves as a direct metaphor to the creation of the gold standard.
The Codex Leicester is possibly the most expensive book in the world. The book comprises Leonardo's thoughts and theories on various topics, from astronomy to the nature of water.
For many years, the Wizard of Oz retained its status as purely a modern classic of the children literature. More recently, however, a number of authors have argued that the Wizard of Oz is not a children book at all, but rather a populist allegory about the US monetary debates of the last quarter of the 19th century.
In the movie, Dorothy gets knocked out by a flying window during the cyclone scene. She eventually lands in Oz but by the movie's end, she wakes up in her bed with her family surrounding her. This reassures the viewer that the whole ordeal was simply a dream. In the book, however, there is no dream.
What does each character want from The Wizard of Oz?
As Dorothy and Toto travel, they meet three companions: A Scarecrow, a Tin Woodman, and a Cowardly Lion. Each lack something—the Scarecrow needs a brain, the Tin Woodman needs a heart, and the Lion needs courage—so Dorothy suggests they all travel to the Emerald City together to ask the Wizard for help.
The Scarecrow wants a brain, the Tin Woodman wants a heart, and the Lion wants courage, so Dorothy encourages them to journey with her and Toto to the Emerald City to ask for help from the Wizard.
A major drawcard for the film and the believability of the plot is owed to the charisma and likeability of the three supporting actors – the lion, the tin man and the scarecrow. All three portrayed endearing companions and friends to Dorothy as well as delivering quality solo musical performances throughout the film.
Two other things that were fantastic about this film was the memorable characters, and the awesome, yet classic music, my favorite being "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." I do advise that some children might get frightened by some scenes like the ones with the Wicked Witch and flying monkeys in it.
The Wizard of Oz is an iconic Hero's Journey. The journey begins with the call to adventure. Dorothy decides to leave home. She then refuses the call—after being fooled by the soon-to-be-wizard– to go back home.
