Summary
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum is an iconic work of American literature. First published in 1900, this fantasy tale follows the adventures of a young Kansas farm girl, Dorothy Gale, and her dog, Toto, as they find themselves magically transported to the colorful, mysterious land of Oz. To return home, they must seek the aid of the enigmatic Wizard of Oz in the Emerald City. Along the way, Dorothy befriends a Scarecrow seeking brains, a Tin Woodman desiring a heart, and a Cowardly Lion in want of courage. These four, each hoping the Wizard can fulfill their wishes, embark on a journey filled with challenges, most notably in the form of the Wicked Witch of the West.
Over the course of their quest, Dorothy and her companions face various threats, including wolves, crows, bees, and winged monkeys, ultimately leading to the downfall of the Wicked Witch of the West when Dorothy accidentally melts her with water. Their return to the Emerald City reveals the Wizard as a mere mortal from Omaha, Nebraska, who arrived in Oz via hot air balloon. Despite this, he attempts to help Dorothy and her friends. While the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Lion find what they believe they lacked, the Wizard's departure in his balloon without Dorothy triggers another quest to Glinda, the Good Witch of the South. Glinda informs Dorothy that the silver shoes she has worn since her arrival possess the power to take her home. With a few magical words, Dorothy is transported back to Kansas, leaving her shoes and the enchanting land of Oz behind.
Since its publication, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has captivated readers with its rich, imaginative story and vivid characters. Illustrated by W. W. Denslow, whose iconic images have defined the story as much as Baum's words, the novel was an instant success. Celebrated for more than a century, Baum's novel endures as a beloved fairy tale that explores themes of friendship, bravery, and the quest for self-discovery.
Themes
Search for one's personal identity
Importance of courage, intelligence, and compassion
The quest for home and belonging
Deception and the search for truth
Self-sufficiency and the American dream
The dichotomy of appearance vs. reality
The power of friendship and solidarity
Setting
The setting of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum is integral to its story, offering a vivid contrast between the mundane and the magical, the familiar and the fantastical. The novel is set in two principal locations—the gray prairies of Kansas and the vibrant and varied landscape of the Land of Oz. This juxtaposition is not only geographical but also serves to underscore the narrative's exploration of themes such as adventure, home, and the search for one’s desires.
Kansas, where the story begins and ends, is described in the opening chapters as a colorless, drought-stricken land where "the sun had baked the plowed land into a gray mass, with little cracks running through it." Dorothy Gale lives here with her Aunt Em, Uncle Henry, and dog, Toto, in a small, isolated farmhouse. This depiction of Kansas reflects the late 19th to early 20th-century American Midwest, characterized by its agrarian economy and susceptibility to natural disasters like tornadoes, which play a critical role in transporting Dorothy to Oz.
In stark contrast, the Land of Oz is a place of vivid colors, magical beings, and diverse landscapes. It is divided into four distinct territories: the Munchkin Country in the East, the Winkie Country in the West, the Quadling Country in the South, and the Gillikin Country in the North, each ruled by its own form of government and magical beings. At the center of these territories lies the Emerald City, a dazzling metropolis ruled by the enigmatic Wizard of Oz.
Characters
Dorothy Gale: A young girl from Kansas who is transported to the Land of Oz by a cyclone.
Toto: Dorothy's small black dog and faithful companion throughout her adventures in Oz.
The Scarecrow: A figure made of straw who desires brains, believing it will make him smarter.
The Tin Woodman: A man made entirely of tin who seeks a heart to be capable of love.
The Cowardly Lion: A lion who wishes to have courage and joins Dorothy on her journey to see the Wizard.
The Wizard of Oz: The ruler of the Emerald City who Dorothy and her friends seek to grant them their wishes.
The Wicked Witch of the West: The main antagonist who seeks to stop Dorothy and her friends, desiring the magical silver shoes.
Glinda, the Good Witch of the South: A kind witch who helps Dorothy return home to Kansas.
The Wicked Witch of the East: The sister of the Wicked Witch of the West, killed when Dorothy's house lands in Oz.
The Good Witch of the North: The first witch Dorothy meets in Oz, who informs her about the Wizard and gives her the magical silver shoes.
Aunt Em and Uncle Henry: Dorothy's guardians in Kansas.
The Munchkins: The small inhabitants of Munchkin Country where Dorothy's house lands in Oz.
The Winged Monkeys: Magical creatures controlled by the Wicked Witch of the West.
The Guardian of the Gates: The keeper of the entrance to the Emerald City.
FAQs
What inspired L. Frank Baum to write The Wonderful Wizard of Oz?
L. Frank Baum drew inspiration for The Wonderful Wizard of Oz from various aspects of his personal life, previous jobs, places he lived, and people he met. He aimed to create a modernized fairy tale where "the wonderment and joy are retained and the heart-aches and nightmares are left out." Characters like the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman were influenced by Baum's own experiences and fears.
Why has this novel remained popular for more than a century?
First published in 1900, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz remains popular due to its universal themes of adventure, friendship, courage, and the quest for self-discovery. Its imaginative setting, memorable characters, and the journey of Dorothy and her friends in the magical land of Oz continue to resonate with readers and listeners of all ages. Additionally, the story's adaptability to various media forms, including film, theater, and audiobooks, has helped maintain its relevance and appeal.
What are some differences between Baum's original book and its famous 1939 film adaptation?
Several differences exist between the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the 1939 film adaptation. For example, in the book, Dorothy's slippers are silver, whereas in the film they are changed to ruby red to take advantage of the new Technicolor process. The book includes several adventures and characters that do not appear in the movie. Also, the book’s portrayal of the Land of Oz is more detailed and complex, reflecting broader themes and a larger world than what is shown in the film.
What's unique about the Audible version of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz?
Narrated by Academy Award-winning actress Anne Hathaway, the Audible version of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz enhances the storytelling experience by bringing a wide range of voices and emotions to the characters. Lively and engaging, Hathaway's performance fully immerses listeners in the story.
Quotes
“There is no place like home.”
“I think you are wrong to want a heart. It makes most people unhappy. If you only knew it, you are in luck not to have a heart.”
“A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others.”
“Some people without brains do an awful lot of talking, don't you think?”
“I shall take the heart. [...] For brains do not make one happy, and happiness is the best thing in the world.”
“A baby has brains, but it doesn't know much. Experience is the only thing that brings knowledge, and the longer you are on Earth the more experience you are sure to get.”
“True courage is in facing danger when you are afraid.”
“No matter how dreary and gray our homes are, we people of flesh and blood would rather live there than in any other country, be it ever so beautiful. There is no place like home.”
Quick facts
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was published in the United States on May 17, 1900, by the George M. Hill Company.
Baum drew inspiration for the story from his own life experiences, such as his fascination with window displays inspiring the Tin Woodman, and his childhood fears of scarecrows inspiring that character.
The name "Oz" came from a file cabinet labeled "O-Z" that Baum had in his office.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was a critical and commercial success upon its release, going on to sell more than three million copies by the time it entered the public domain in 1956.
The book was not initially expected to sell well. George M. Hill, the publisher, agreed to publish it only after securing a commitment for a stage adaptation to boost sales.
Baum did not initially intend to write a sequel, but wrote The Marvelous Land of Oz in 1904 due to popular demand from children who wanted more Oz stories.
Before settling on the title The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Baum considered calling the book The Emerald City. He changed his mind because he thought it gave away too much of the plot.
The iconic Ruby Slippers were actually Silver Shoes in the book. The color was changed in the 1939 film adaptation to take advantage of the new Technicolor process.
Baum wrote The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as a modernized fairy tale, seeking to create a story set in America with relatable characters and free of the heartaches and nightmares of European fairy tales.
The book entered the public domain in 1956, allowing for a wide range of adaptations and reinterpretations.
Baum dedicated the book "To My Good Friend & Comrade, My Wife" acknowledging the support and influence of his wife, Maud Gage Baum.
Illustrator W. W. Denslow and Baum had a unique collaboration on the book, sharing the copyright. Their partnership eventually dissolved due to disagreements.
The original cover of the book was a green cloth binding with a design stamped in red and a color picture pasted on the cover.
The novel was inspired by Baum's stay in Aberdeen, South Dakota, during a drought, and reflects his views on the value of self-sufficiency and the power of imagination.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is the first in what would become a series of 14 full-length Oz books written by Baum and other authors following his death.
About the author
L. Frank Baum was a prolific American author, actor, and independent filmmaker. He is celebrated for creating one of the cornerstones of American children's literature, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The book spawned 13 sequels and established a franchise that extended to 55 novels, including autobiographical and lost works; 83 short stories; more than 200 hundred poems, and numerous scripts and miscellaneous writings. It also inspired the famous 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and starring Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale.
Born on May 15, 1856, in Chittenango, New York, Baum didn't set out to become a writer. As a young man, he held various jobs that included raising fancy poultry, selling fireworks, managing an opera house, editing a newspaper, and opening a department store. His eclectic early career also saw him embarking on ventures in the theater and film. His fascination with the idea of creating a modern American fairy tale culminated in the 1900 publication of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The success of his debut book lead to a prolific period of writing, during which he also produced works under pseudonyms such as Edith Van Dyne, Floyd Akers, and others.
Baum's literary aspirations were paralleled by a keen interest in the theater. Despite fluctuating fortunes in his theatrical ventures, he continued to engage with the stage and was involved in adapting his Oz books for performance. Furthermore, Baum ventured into filmmaking, founding The Oz Film Manufacturing Company. Baum passed away on May 6, 1919, in Los Angeles, California. His life was marked by his imagination and creativity, leaving a memorable imprint on American literature and popular culture.
