Overview

= The Wizard of Oz(By L. Frank Baum): A Summary = Dorothy lived in the great Kansas prairies, surrounded by gray. Gray grass, gray house, gray Uncle Henry, and gray Aunt Em. One day, a great twister came along, and picked up the house, then carried it for a long time into the Land of Oz. Her house landed on top of the Wicked Witch of the East, killing her and freeing the Munchkins from bondage. The Good Witch of the North told her that to get home, she must talk to Oz, and after that she set off. A day after hitting the road, she met the Scarecrow, who was stuffed with straw and wanted a brain more than anything else. He joined Dorothy's party, and they continued onward. The next day, they came across the Tin Woodman, who was rusted tightly together. He bade Dorothy to find his oil can, and after doing so, he joined their little group, because he wanted Oz to give him a heart. A little later on in the day, they came across a Lion, who roared fearsomely and made to eat Toto, Dorothy's dog. But Dorothy reproached him, saying, "You ought to be ashamed of yourself, a big beast like you, to bite a poor little dog!" (pg. 67) At this the Lion hung his head in shame, saying he was a coward, and asked if he could join their party, to get some courage from Oz.

Many obstacles presented themselves to the travelers as they followed the yellow brick road, such as the field of poppies and the Kalidahs. But eventually they make it to the Emerald city, where Oz sees them all and tels them he will give them what they need if they can kill the Wicked Witch of the West. They are captured by her, although Dorothy succeeds in killing her and they all escape, then Go to Oz. They then find that oz is just a small old man, not a great wizard, and are angered. They then use the Golden cap to have the flying Monkeys take them to the Good Witch of the South, who helps them each get home, and Dorothy is overjoyed to find herself back in Kansas.

= Is it good literature? = I believe it is, according to the rubric I had created earlier in the month. According to the rubric, how Thought-Provoking, and well developed it was were two factors, and in this case I believe it is. This is because the thoughts provoked by this are of many, and it still resonates with today's audience in many areas, such as bullying and lying. The characters are lovable and have personalities of their own, even though they are figments of L. Frank Baum's imagination, placed on paper. Not only does this show how developed it is, but it also outlines what a good connection it has to the audience. The fact that the story has survived in our minds for 110 years also says something about the quality of the literature, and it says something good as well.