Why The Wizard of Oz?

Of the thousands of fairy-tales from cultures all around the world why choose the 1939 movie version of Oz to study? Why not one of the famous Brother Grimm tales that have been influencing children for centuries? Why not Baum's original book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz? After all, that book and the Baum’s ensuing 14-volume series sparked the imagination of thousands of readers before the more-famous cinematic version was even considered.

But the 1939 movie, The Wizard of Oz, has reached more than thousands. It is the top-ranking movie for viewings with more than 6 BILLION. And its ubiquitous nature filters into other avenues. During the past dozen years many movies have tipped their hats to Dorothy's story quoting lines directly or paraphrasing familiar lines to fit their storylines. Even before this onslaught of cinematic tributes, however, Oz found its way into literary classics such as Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse Five.

Dialogue and song from the movie have crept into everyday Americanese. The movie seems to have reached near-mythological status - at least in the U.S. Yet when a renowned author like Salman Rushdie credits Dorothy's cinematic story as the starting point of his literary efforts in his childhood India, it becomes clear that the classic movie crosses cultural lines. Perhaps it has reached mythological heights worldwide. It is still too early to judge.

Still other reasons arise as to why The Wizard of Oz makes such a fine example of the archetypal story. Like other blueprint-storylines i.e. The Odyssey, Dorothy's journey is episodic. An easy-to-follow delineation of lands and events, complete with sectioning-songs, fragments the story into 21 separate stages. And unlike other famous fairy-tales that often focus on attaining the physical security of the first third of our evolutionary journey of consciousness, the Kansas/Oz worlds map out the entire process. Plus Dorothy’s movie has all the makings of a classic fairy-tale. Children have, for generations, found it entertaining enough to demand multiple viewings. What good would a story be if it contained valuable secrets but no one cared to listen to it - if no one wanted to watch the movie?

Another important reason for using The Wizard of Oz as a map of our journey through conscious-awareness is the story's simplicity. Intricate maps of territories, both familiar and exotic, can become complicated. Symbols are used to explain a map. If these symbols which make up the map’s legend, were not clear the map would confuse its readers. How much use is there in a map that does not clarify? In the mapping of Dorothy's territories of 'remembrance', simple-to-identify symbols are used. Most of these icons come from various perennial philosophy teachings - Buddhist, Hindu and esoteric Christianity.

Dorothy’s story provides a user-friendly map. With symbolism that is simple and clear it provides a fine legend for a seemingly complex map of human consciousness. Ex. First 5 symbols in the famous story-map's legend:

 

 

 

 

 

These symbols are revealed in the first 5 chapters of the Rosarium/Oz book exploring perennial philosophy symbolism. Three of these first five signposts - the pig, the rooster and the snake - represent Tibetan Buddhist teachings re: poisons. These ‘poisons’ are simplified as the sources of suffering – ignorance, desire and anger- respectively. The creators of Dorothy’s cinematic story left 21 easily identifiable signposts to help viewers navigate the archetypal map of their conscious-evolution. A separate signpost will be explored in each of the book's 21 chapters.

Finally, any map worth its salt will leave a clear impression, able to be brought back plainly to memory. This delightful movie was a great Technicolor achievement in the early years of cinematic history. But the classic film also incorporated the memory-spurring technique of song. In this process of remembering our innate wisdom, song- especially repetitive song- can bring from our depths liberating secrets we have long kept buried. 

Are there other stories better-equipped in detailing certain parts of this map-making formula? Most definitely. But The Wizard of Oz is not only wonderful in embracing all the necessary components of a fine map; it is also my personal favorite fairy-tale. And as Carl Jung is purported to have said, the favorite fairy-tale of our childhood, the one we asked to be told time and again, will provide the blueprint for the rest of our life. What other story would I study?

 

If an unexamined life is not worth living, is an unexamined myth worth re-telling?