So, in one of my History classes today, the teacher used the Wizard of Oz as a teaching tool, and it worked out pretty well. It never occurred to me that the story had been written before the movie came out, and was a very good allegory to the times as they were, with political leanings and such. So, all in all, quite the interesting class, and I feel that I definitely learned something.
However, the usage of the story brought about memories of other thoughts that I've had concerning it. First of all, my whole theory of reclassifying science as magic* applies here. The Wizard himself is a prime example of a "magical" persona merely using science to his advantage. I had an epiphany the other day and realized that the Wizard also introduces the idea of placebos. Think about it, he gives the Scarecrow a piece of paper and all of a sudden the Scarecrow can think? He gives the Lion a badge and the Lion is brave? He does a heart transplant for the Tin Man and he all of a sudden has a... wait, scratch that last one, he didn't do that. He gave the Tin Man a heart-shaped clock that ticks, nothing more. What are these if not perfect examples of placebo cures?
Now I take into account the compatriots of Dorothy on her quest to find the much-vaunted Wizard. Completely ignoring the Munchkins and Good Witches or Bad Witches, and even her dog, I wish to call attention to the three main companions.
First is the Scarecrow. Here we have a gaunt figure, seen first hanging limply on a pole in a corn field. What is he doing there? Well, in all honesty, his job. But seeing as how he perks up and talks with passersby, he no doubt scares more than the crows away from the field. So we have a character that looks human but just isn't quite, and he's looking for something to the near exclusion of everything else--something no less than a brain. I don't know about any of you reader(s) but to me this sounds much worse than a simple Scarecrow. Dorothy is being accompanied by a Zombie.
As if the poor girl's troubles weren't enough, there is also the Tin Man. When found, the Tin Man is almost rusted in place, and begs Dorothy to help him. Being the nice (if possibly foolish) girl that she is, she oils his hinges and the Tin Man can move again. Lamenting over his inability to feel, and in search of an elusive heart, he then joins Dorothy and the Zombie on their way. This Tin Man may not be as inherently evil as the Zombie, but I now expose him for what he is--a Robot that seeks to be human! As any good sci-fi afficionado knows, this is never a good thing. Not even when the robot is played by a cute little boy and named David (it just isn't really that good of a movie).
So with a Zombie and Robot in tow--and two fairly vital body parts in mortal danger--Dorothy continues down the Yellow Brick Road. Next up they find the Cowardly Lion, who seeks courage. It is common knowledge that Lions not only are not as big as this particular cat, but also that they have considerable amounts of courage and lack the ability of speech (sorry Azlan). No, the Less-Than-Brave Lion is an overly large example of his species, gifted with speech but robbed of a characteristic trait. This Lion is a Mutant.
Dorothy could not have chosen worse traveling companions if she tried. But is she really all that innocent in the first place? Very little is explained of Dorothy in the movie, and although she seems sad about killing the first Witch, her moral qualms seem to die away when told to kill the second one. She is entirely focused on herself, and doesn't care who gets trampled in the process. All problems aside however, some things just don't add up about Dorothy. Being unsatisfied with life, I can understand. Being transported by a tornado into a mystical world where her first act is to kill an oppressive regime, I can take on faith. But a Kansas farm-girl wandering around in an immaculate blue and white dress, which never develops tears during the tornado or dirt stains of any kind? That is evidence of something beneath the surface, something we may need to worry about.
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