It is filled with symbols and metaphors, all pointing to other things. Contrary to popular belief, the little black cairn terrier who played toto in the wizard of oz was not named toto. The occult roots of the wizard of oz sagacious news. Towards the end, the article even goes into the use of the allegories in the movie in the mkultra mind control program. The wizard of oz over the years has become one of the truly classic movies among children and adults alike. Wizard of oz bibliography 1 the book the wonderful wizard of oz 1900 and its film adaptation the wizard of oz 1939 quickly became a foundational element in american popular culture with countless idiomatic allusions, cultural references, and pervasive merchandizing. I am uploading this because unfortunately the only other version of. 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 might mean. Who is toto in the wonderful wizard of oz the wonderful wizard of oz.
Although the wizard of oz is widely perceived as an innocent childrens fairy tale, it is almost impossible not to attribute a symbolic meaning to dorothys quest. Many people are not aware that the wonderful wizard of oz is suspected to have referenced several political issues of the late 1800s. She and i had just finished rewatching the original the wizard of oz when i stumbled upon an ad for this book in a magazine. See more ideas about wizard of oz, the wiz and wizard of oz book. Political interpretations of the wonderful wizard of oz include treatments of the modern fairy tale written by l.
In his book the wonderful wizard of oz in american popular. Political interpretations of the wonderful wizard of oz include treatments of the modern fairy. Parable on populism on the deserts of north africa in 1941 two tough australian brigades went to battle singing, have you heard of the wonderful wizard, the wonderful wizard of oz, and he is a wonderful wizard, if ever a wizard there was. Aurora 30361 8 scotty plush toy, small6 x 14, black. Toto also barks at the little man behind the curtain. What is shadow will try to block or contain the intuitive. Other totos the wizard of oz was remade many times over the years, always with a toto. Political interpretations of the wonderful wizard of oz wikipedia. Some historians believe oz stands for an abbreviation of the weight measure. His name is pronounced with a long o, a homophone of toe toe. Dorothy seeks the wizard of oz to return her home, thus making him a key character as well as the object of her quest. Political symbolism the wizard represents political leaders, particularly any of the us presidents during the late 19th century.
The 1958 building of the ventura freeway came through the 10acre studio city ranch where totos owner and trainer carl spitz had buried her when she died in 1945. In frank baums later oz books, toto becomes a boston terrier for reasons that are never explained, but then changes back to a terrier in the last books of the series. The books related political undertones were first identified in 1964 in an. Hugh rockoff suggested in 1990 that the novel was an allegory about the demonetization. Both versions tell the story of dorothy gale and her adorable dog toto getting stranded in a fantastical land by a tornado, and both include the iconic characters of the scarecrow, cowardly lion, tin man, glinda the good witch. Sep 11, 2012 neatorama presents a guest post from actor, comedian, and voiceover artist eddie deezen.
The symbolic meaning of the wizard of oz depends upon the inclinations of the reader of the original 1900 book edition or the viewer of the beloved 1939 film version. Still, the main characters dorothy, the scarecrow, the tin woodman, and the lion embody traditional american values. Wizard of oz has constant references to rainbows, including its theme song, somewhere over the rainbow. Heres jeff saut, from his latest market commentary as chief strategist of raymond james. The wonderful wizard of oz is too long to be a parable and not quite didactic enough to be an allegory. Like all the other cast members, she had a character name. This week, leslie pitched the wizard of oz as a great example of extended metaphor and symbolism in a story. Specifically, author and oz series originator lyman frank baum may 15, 1856 may 6, 1919 describes toto as having merrily twinkling black eyes. The authors of redemption in law, theory and practice bbc of america, 2000 have, for example, provided an interesting interpretation of the story of the wizard of oz, one which bears a considerable amount of attention being paid.
Occult roots of wizard of oz hey wonderful in the know friends, i found the below essay analyzing the occult roots of the wizard of oz to be quite fascinating. The film is perennially popular because it explores many of the issues and fears that children ages 5 12 must confront as they mature. Denslow for the first edition of the wonderful wizard of oz 1900. The project gutenberg etext of the wonderful wizard of oz. Frank baums oz series of childrens books, and works derived from them. But there are loads of other imaginative touches, including a. 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. The rainbow is a bridge between the real and imaginary worlds. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Frank baum and first published in 1900 as an allegory or metaphor for the political, economic, and social events of america in the 1890s. Like all the other cast members, she had a character. Carl jung and later joseph campbell described how certain symbols and motifs appear in mythology, fairy tales, stories, and religions throughout the world.
What is the deeper meaning of the wonderful wizard of oz. Aug 24, 2014 in the wizard of oz, the yellow brick road and dorothys slippers, which were silver in the book, referenced the eras debates over the gold standard and use of silver coin. Although the wizard of oz is widely perceived as an innocent childrens fairy tale, it is almost impossible not to attribute symbolic meaning to dorothys quest. Essays for the wizard of oz film the wizard of oz film essays are academic essays for citation. Nov 29, 2007 toto totable tornado observatory was a white metal barrel painted orange in its last few years of service, weighing from 250350 pounds.
What is the symbolic meaning of the wizard of oz answers. The purchase price was way too steep for my budget, so i immediately went online to search for it at amazon. Both versions tell the story of dorothy gale and her adorable dog toto getting stranded in a fantastical land by a tornado, and both include the iconic characters of the scarecrow. In the wizard s chamber, dorothy, toto, the scarecrow, the tin man, and the cowardly lion were met again by the giant floating head engulfed in green flames. What is the symbolism of toto in the wizard of oz answers. Henry littlefields theory on the story representing populism during the. The wizard of oz is a 1939 american musical fantasy comedydrama film produced by metrogoldwynmayer, and the bestknown and most commercially successful adaptation. Oct 08, 2009 sharetweetemailwith its memorable story and its cast of colorful characters, the wizard of oz quickly became an american classic. Symbolism of the wizard of oz practically everyone has either seen or heard the wizard of oz and dorothy story. Before writing the wizard of oz or even contemplating becoming a childrens story author, baum held many jobs one of which was editor of the aberdeen saturday pioneer. The wizard of oz as a spiritual adventure was the perfect gift for my life partner.
It was her only credited role, though she was credited not as terry but as toto. Religious symbolism found in the wizard of oz dorothythe symbol of the door to heavenoz carries seven books the bible, which are bound sealed, while running home to heaven with her dog dogma, the symbol of god, 2 sam 17. The secret jewish history of the wizard of oz the forward. Frank baum wrote 14 wizard of oz books, including 1900s the. Scholars have examined four quite different versions of oz. Religious symbolism found in the wizard of oz dorothythe symbol of the door to heaven oz carries seven books the bible, which are bound sealed, while running home to heaven with her dog dogma, the symbol of god, 2 sam 17. Political interpretations of the wonderful wizard of oz. The wizard of oz symbolism goes incredibly deep, from the main characters to the cyclone, those famous slippers, and even toto. Dorothy and the wizards head from the book, the wonderful wizard of oz. In 1890, baum wrote a series of articles introducing his readers to theosophy, including his views on buddha, mohammed, confucius, and christ. The wizard of oz film symbols, allegory and motifs. The storys imagery and symbolismthe yellow brick road, the silver.
The acronym toto was, of course, adapted from the name of dorothys dog from the wizard of oz. 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. The real meaning of these wizard of oz characters grunge. Quotes from the story such as toto, i have a feeling were not in kansas anymore, lions, and tigers, and bears. Over the years, both book and movie have fueled a number of elaborate. Dorothy, the scarecrow, the tin man, and the lion gaped at the man who called himself the wizard in shock and dismay. Few, however, recognize that, under its deceptive simplicity, the story of the wizard of oz. More than a hundred years after the release of this book, kids everywhere are still enchanted by ozs world of wonder. No, her entombment wasnt a mob action by the flying monkeys. Explain the symbols in the wizard of oz and why each symbol. Many things in this world arent always what they seem to be at first glance, and childrens books are no exception. In the wizard of oz, the yellow brick road and dorothys slippers, which were silver in the book, referenced the eras debates over the gold standard and use of silver coin. Stars judy garland as dorothy gale and terry the dog as toto. Toto totable tornado observatory was a white metal barrel painted orange in its last few years of service, weighing from 250350 pounds.
Quotes from the story such as toto, i have a feeling were not in kansas anymore, lions, and tigers. In the wizard of oz, the yellow brick road and dorothys slippers, which were. The secret political symbolism you never knew was hidden within. Oct 19, 2010 this is the famous scene in which dorothy walks out her front door into oz and for the first time sees the world in technicolor. Toto, dorothys beloved cairn terrier from the wizard of oz 1939, is buried under the 101 freeway.
If you have not read the book or seen the movie, you have probably. The wizard of oz and political symbolism sophies tale. The political and economic symbols hidden inside the wizard of oz. This 1939 perennial classic was primarily directed by victor fleming from a screenplay by noel langley, florence ryerson, and edgar allan woolf based on the wonderful wizard of oz by l. The occult roots of the wizard of oz vigilant citizen.
Much of what follows, comes from pages 180 to 185 of their book. After her death, the family buried her on the property, but in 1958, the ventura freeway was expanded and the spitz property was sold to accommodate construction. Explain the symbols in the wizard of oz and why each. Vintage toto the dog shirt art toto the wizard of oz toto tshirt.
The wizard of oz and political symbolism in the wizard of oz, things arent always what they appear to be its fairly easy to see the parallels between the firebreathing huckster known as the great and powerful oz and the 45th president of the united states. This is the famous scene in which dorothy walks out her front door into oz and for the first time sees the world in technicolor. The wonderful wizard of oz 1939, like many fairy tales depicting a series of fantastic adventures, is really the story of an individuals inner journeya story of personality integration and coming of age. The political and economic symbols hidden inside the. At the gale farm and again at the castle, the witch tries to put toto into a basket. Frank baum wrote 14 wizard of oz books, but his biggest home run was 1900s the wonderful wizard of oz, which mgm turned into a wonderful wizard of oz movie. Victor flemming, the director of the 1939 film the wizard of oz, depicts a message that revolves around the reversal of power and gender roles. Oh, my, and theres no place like home, are ones that will always pop into our heads when someone. Book depository books with free delivery worldwide.
Littlefield claimed that the book was baums clever allegory on the. Neatorama presents a guest post from actor, comedian, and voiceover artist eddie deezen. According to author and oz series originator lyman frank baum may 15, 1856may 5, 1919, the wizard of oz is an american fairy tale for the enjoyment of children. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of the wizard of oz film by richard thorpe. Toto shook his head and gave a confused expression. 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. The winged money created the fear of always being watched. It was a song they had brought with them from australia and would soon spread to england. And the central message in the book is all about the rise of populism and the debate over gold. The wizard of oz is a classic musical, beloved by children and their parents for generations. The wizard of oz, which celebrates its 80th birthday this year, was created by jewish artists including yip harburg and harold arlen. In 2010, a campaign to provide toto with a memorial stone met with success. As in all great stories, the characters and the symbols of the wizard of oz can be given a second layer of interpretation, which may vary depending on the readers perception.
What is the deeper meaning of the wonderful wizard of oz by. Symbolism of th e wizard of oz practically everyone has either seen or heard the wizard of oz and dorothy story. The wonderful wizard of oz is the first in a series of childrens books that are set in the fictional land of oz. 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. On that image alone we could rest our case that the wonderful wizard of oz is a fanciful book. Other putative allegorical devices of the book include the wicked witch of the west as a figure.
That is, until the wizard of oz became so popular that almost everyone forgot what her original name was. Toto was outfitted with a variety of weather instruments anemometers, pressure sensors and humidity sensors. They can also act as inner demons guarding protected memories or alters. Practically everyone has either seen or heard the wizard of oz and dorothy story. Terry november 17, 1933 september 1, 1945 was a female cairn terrier performer who appeared in many different movies, most famously as toto in the film the wizard of oz 1939. The wizard of oz and political symbolism sophie tale. A parable on populism and american monetary policy this popular and welldocumented reading sees the wizard of oz as being about the. In both cases, toto jumps out of the basket and escapes.