The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz

Let’s go over the rainbow to the wonderful world of Oz and follow the tale of Dorothy Gale as she goes on a quest to find the Wizard of Oz, who can take her back to her beloved Kansas after being picked up by a twister.

This movie truly is full of some of my favorite songs, most of which can only be improved by a ukulele. The movie is great; there is no denying that, I don’t even mind the fact that Dorothy is slightly naive and gullible.

But there is something that does get on my nerves about Dorothy, and that is her relationship with Toto. He seems like a lovely dog and I understand just as much as anyone that the love for a pet can be incredibly strong. But in the beginning of the movie, Toto bit someone. That isn't really okay and Dorothy even admits that it is her fault Toto bit Miss Gulch yet goes unpunished. And, her love for the dog seems to be such a strong driving force that she runs away from home.

Unfortunately I have never had a dog of my own so I find it hard to relate to this love, but there is one thing in this movie I find very relatable, Munchkins!

Probably because I am only 4ft11 myself the idea of a species were I will no longer be the shortest person i know is very appealing. And who wouldn't want to live in a newly liberated Munchkin Land? It's bright, happy and rejoiceful at the man slaughter of the Wicked Witch of the East. Let’s not forget that is exactly what Dorothy does, and she is celebrated for it.

And even more disturbing is that this is all in HER mind, she is the one who is dreaming of killing both the Witch of the East and later the West.  At least she does feel a little bit of guilt and they're both accidents but it is a little messed up that she would be dreaming of the murder of a women who is clearly her neighbor Miss Gulch.

Is it possible that Glinda lied to Dorothy so she would

kill the witch?

Is it possible that Glinda lied to Dorothy so she would

kill the witch for her?

Another part that seems to be quite messed up is Glinda the Good Witch. Like most people debate, why wouldn't Glinda the Good Witch tell her that the shoes could get her home? Especially since she was the one who said “The sooner you get out of Oz the better." Well, she has a way out of Oz right under nose but instead Glinda sent her off on a fruitless journey to the Emerald City (which is so green it looks like a bathroom from the 1970's)

Glinda says at the end that it is because Dorothy needs to learn a lesson, well what does Dorothy actually learn? All Dorothy learns is that the people around her are literally brainless, cowardly and heartless. And, that there is no place like home. But surely she learns that in the first 20 minutes when the "psychic" tell her that her Aunt is sick so she runs home to be with her.

The only real lesson she learns is that biting is bad, when the lion tries to bite Toto Dorothy punishes him by hitting him on the nose. Does this mean she has learnt that Toto should be punished for biting Miss Gulch? No, of course not. She really doesn't learn the lesson at all and she is really just a hypocrite.

But hey, it was only a dream right? So what does it matter if she learns a lesson? It is still a great film full of fun and wonder. Dorothy might not have learnt anything new but it more importantly teaches the audience that there really is no place like home. Even if you live in Kansas.