1. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was first published in 1900 and met with both commercial and critical success. It continues to be a favorite, and the story has been translated to the stage and film numerous times. What do you think makes this tale so appealing, so timeless, and so easily adapted to other media?
What makes this tale appealing, timeless, and easily adapted to other media is the fact that it is different from any other story tale. Also given that it was published over 100 years ago it was a refreshing and new way of combining real-life events with fantasy. For example Dorothy, a young girl living in kansas with totto her dog, her uncle and aunt. But then comes a twist, a big tornado takes her and totto to a new world.
2. What roles do money and capitalism play in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz? What is valued in the land of Oz as opposed to what is valued in the real world?
Money has no value in the in the land of Oz. Good will and power is valued as opposed to in the real world where friendliness is appreciated but not necessary.
3. In addition to being a writer, L. Frank Baum was an actor and playwright. Does theatricality play a role in this book? How? What role does illusion play in the story?
Theatricality does play a role in this story, because there is a lot of drama throughout the book, like the scarecrow not having any brains, or the tin man having no heart, lion without bravery, these are all drama-filled characters but there all of their problems are really all just illusions. Also the great Wizard of Oz was nothing more than a ballon artist that got trapped in his balloon and dropped from the sky to Oz.
4. One of the things that L. Frank Baum did not like about traditional fairy tales was the didactic we in which they taught morals and values. Does his story express any particular values or moral lessons? If so, how does he communicate them?
The story does express the moral value of not taking your-self or what you have for granted. At the beginning of the story it describes Dorothy's life boring and gray, in an almost complaining kind of way as you get more in to the story they go through all these quests and battles so that Dorothy could get back home.
5. Though this story has had a timeless appeal, is there anything time bounded or dated about it? Are there aspects of the story, characters, style, or setting that decrease the accessibility or appeal of the book for a modern audience?
The Wizard of Oz is a timeless tale because of the twists it has from any classic fairy-tale. What really helps the tale I think is the good vs. evil between the witches, also the fact that the great wizard that everyone so dearly admires and fears is just a fraud.
6. The Scarecrow yearns for a brain, but in reality he is the most intelligent of the small group in which Dorothy travels. Is this irony present elsewhere in the story? If so, what do you suppose Baum's purpose is in using this device?
This irony is present throughout the whole story, with the lion who longs for bravery when he is the bravest of the group, or the tin-man who craves a heart when he is the most loving. I think that the message that Baum is sending out to the world is to be aware of what you have and not take it for granted.
Analyze the character of the Wizard. Why does he behave the way he does? Is his behavior excusable or not? He tells Dorothy that he is a good man but a bad wizard. Do you agree?
The Wizard behaves the way he does so that people will fear him and not come across his path, but when Dorothy and her friends do he caves in a reveals himself. I believe that his intentions where good of protecting all of the munchkins and people of his land, but the execution of his plans weren’t good.
8. What is the significance of the delicate people in the Dainty China Country? What is Baum saying
about beauty and/or about sensitivity in this chapter?
Baum is saying that you have to treat people with respect and listen to there opinions, Dorothy could’ve taken that princess home to Kansas with all good intentions not knowing that she would be unhappy and miserable. Also when she was chasing the little princess if she hadn’t heard her cry out and tell Dorothy to stop chasing her she would’ve broken her.
9. In his Preface to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Baum says that he aimed to create a tale in which
"wonderment and joy are retained and the heartaches and nightmares are left out." Would you say he succeeded? Do you think that this type of optimism and pure entertainment are valuable? Why or why not?
In my opinion Baum did succeed and I do believe that his optimism and pure entertainment are an escape from the real world because when you begin reading this amazing tale you forget everything and you feel like your in the story.
What are the power dynamics in Oz? Who has power and who lacks it? How does one gain and lose power in Oz?
You gain power by overcoming or defeating enemies, you loosepower when you are vanquished. Also when you gain the trust of the citizens by doing good deeds, you loose their trust by betraying them.
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