Posted on 11/07/2008 6:01:45 AM PST by RMDupree
The Wizard of Ob
Here I find myself, typing away at two in the morning because I kept dreaming about The Wizard of Oz.
Every American is familiar with this story, whether it be from reading the book or watching the film. But what most Americans miss, is the actual story it told.
Dorothy, a young girl who, by all definitions, is completely helpless.
All alone in an unfamiliar and strange world with a fearsome enemy seeking to destroy her and all she loves. She is told to see the Wizard, a great and powerful being with the ability to grant her what she most desires.
Along the way, she encounters three strangers who quickly become her friends, since they too seek something they have longed for their whole lives. A scarecrow, who has sat perched atop his post, who wishes he had a brain. A tin man, who has rusted away in the forest yearning for a heart. And a lion, whose cowardice has shamed him into hiding in the forest, and so he longs to be granted courage.
They embark on the perilous journey to the Emerald City to see the Wizard, encountering many dangers and challenges along the way.
When they are finally given audience to see the great Wizard, he is terrifying and awe-inspiring in his voice and appearance. They make their requests, fully expecting their wishes to be granted since they have been assured that the Wizard was the only being with the power to realize their hope.
And suddenly, it is revealed that the great and powerful Wizard is simply a flim-flam man hiding behind a curtain. His powerful image all an illusion conjured by trickery and technology.
They are instantly angry at him and, just as suddenly crestfallen, believing that they have lost their only opportunity of achieving their dreams until the man begins to speak.
He tells the scarecrow that he has shown his intelligence when figuring out ways to get the travelers out of terrible situations during their journey to the Emerald City and thus, already has a brain.
He turns and tells the tin man that he has shown his love and compassion to his friends and thus, already has a heart.
And finally, he tells the lion that his bravery and courage was shown in how he readily defended his friends from the enemies they faced along the way.
They did get their wishes granted, but this was done when they made the choice to stop standing on a post or rusting in the woods or hiding in the forest. Their journey and experience shaped them and revealed their character beneath.
The lonely girl is thrilled that her companions have what they came for and wonders how she will ever get home.
And that is when Glenda the Good Witch appears, with the news that Dorothy has the power to go home whenever she likes, by simply clicking her heels three times and saying “There’s no place like home”.
She bids her friends farewell and closes her eyes, clicking her heels and saying the words as instructed. And she is home.
And as she awakes from this dream, she sees her companions’ faces reflected in the faces of her friends and family, who welcome her back with joy and relief.
So here we are, waiting for all of America’s Dorothys to come home after they realize the Wizard is a fraud.
And they will have learned what we already know - that all Americans can obtain their dream as long as they have the intelligence, the passion and the courage to claim it.
For your consideration. :-)
And don’t forget the “Friends of Dorothy.” ;-)
Nice to hear from you Ruthy. And your analogy is spot on.
Let's home they don't miss the hot air balloon.
Interesting take on it.
I thought watching Obama was like watching the Wizard of Oz; he’s a man without a brain (economics), a man without courage (”present”), and a man without a heart (abortion).
Let's hope they don't miss the hot air balloon.
'scuse me.
Now we need to declair that the media is nothing but a bunch of flying monkeys, controled by the witch. The Witch, now must be decided on.
In the guise of making this analogy walk on all fours...
What is the diploma, the heart watch, and the badge of courage? What is the oil can?
A very wise t-shirt once said:
“Hate Kansas, Hate the Farm, Taking the Dog....Dorothy.”
Thanks, Corin! I’m no Ward Smythe, but I try. ;-)
Slim chance of them missing that balloon, 2J.
If there’s one thing we know, they are attracted to “hot air”. LOL!
That’s excellent!
I was also thinking that this story would have never been told if Dorothy had just decided to sit around in Munchkinland, whining over her situation and waiting for help to come to her instead of seeking it herself.
Just throw some glasses on him!
I was an early reader and had read all of the Oz books by the time I hit second grade. I really, really believed in Oz. There was the name, of course, and my mother was from Kansas. Apparently (and I don't remember this), each time I finished an Oz book I'd drive my parent crazy by insisting we take a trip to Kansas to visit Mom's relatives. I just knew that if I could get there, Oz was just a tornado away.
Thanks for the insight, Dorothy. I’ll check out that site when I get home tonight.
My guess is that you really wouldn’t want to go to Oz now, right? :-)
I tend to doubt tha the results of unvailing this wizard will be anywhere near as benevolent as in the Oz story.
I seriously hope we’re wrong on that.
LOL! Clever. :-)
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