THE ANNOTATED WIZARD OF OZ

L. Frank BaumEdited with an Introduction and Notes by

Michael Patrick Hearn

The search of the Wicked Witch

The Rescue

The Winged Monkey

The discovery of Oz

Magic Art of Humbug

Ballon Launched

SU MMARY- CHAPTERS 12 TO CON CLU SION

South

Fighting Trees

China Country

Lion Becomes King

Quadlings

Dorothy’s wish

THE SEAR CH O F THE WICKED W ITCH

“Dorothy still wore the pretty silk dress she had put on the palace, but now, to her surprise, she found it was no longer green, but pure white” (Baum 204).

• Was the city really Emerald or was it an illusion created by the goggles?

THE SEAR CH O F THE WICKED W ITCH

“There were forty wolves, and forty times a wolf was killed; so that at last they all laid dead in a heap before the Woodman” (Baum 207)

• What does this expose from of the Tin Woodman’s character?

“There forty crows, and forty times the Scarecrow twisted a neck, until at last all were laying dead beside him” (Baum 208).

• What does this expose from the Scarecrow character?

THE SEAR CH O F THE WICKED W ITCH

“The witch was too much afraid of the dark…” (Baum 223).

• Why would the witch be so much afraid of the dark?• What does this reveal about her weaknesses of

power?

THE DEATH OF THE WITCH

“This made Dorothy so very angry that she picked up the bucket of water…and dashed it over the Witch…the Witch fell down in a brown, melted, shapeless mass and began to spread…” (Baum 225)

• How did you feel with this quick ending of the Witch?

THE WINGED MONKEYS

Winged monkeys share the story of their past while bringing back Dorothy and her comrades to Emerald city

The witch of the North was the one who cursed them to do the biddings of the wearer of the Golden cap

• Is the past good witch of the north really good after cursing these Winged monkeys?

THE DISCOVERY O F O Z THE TERR IBL E

“One of my greatest fears was the witches…I lived in deadly fear of them for many years…[but] you must keep my secret and tell no one I am a humbug” (Baum 268, 274).

• What do you think of the Oz?• Is he evil? Where he uses people for his power?• Who are the good people and the evil?

Difference between them.

THE MAGIC ART O F THE GR EAT HUM BU G

In getting there wishes of the Scarecrow getting his brains, the Tin Woodman getting his heart, and the Lion getting his courage…

• Looking closely, in how easily the believed their were either wise, loving, and courageous after the “Oz” granted their wish…• What does this show about these three character’s

confidence in themselves?

Connection to self-esteem.

CHARACTER ANALYSIS

The Scarecrow yearns for a brain, but he's actually the most intelligent and logical person in the group.

• Is this irony present elsewhere in the story? What purpose does it serve?

Why does the Wizard behave the way he does? Is his behavior excusable or not? He describes himself as a good man but a bad wizard - do you agree?

CHARACTER ANALYSIS CONT.

What is the significance of the delicate people in the Dainty China Country? What is Baum saying about beauty and/or about sensitivity in this chapter?

AUDIENCE

Is this story relate to a modern audience? Do you think it will continue to appeal to children in future generations?

The Wizard of Oz was first published in 1900 and met huge success. It continues to be a favorite to the stage and film. What do you think makes this tale so likable, so timeless, and so easily adapted to other media?

REAL WORLD REPRESENTATION

Do money and capitalism play any roles? What is valued in the land of Oz compared to what is valued in the real world?

From reading the preface, we learn that Baum's mother-in-law was a feminist. Do you think the ideals of feminism influenced Baum's writing of Oz? In particular, how would you view Dorothy and the witches in a feminist context?

Why do you think Baum wrote this story when he did? Was there anything going on in the world at that time that might have led him to want to write a pure fairy tale?

IN DEPTH ANALYSIS

The illustrations have been an essential part of this book since its first publication and they anticipate the action in the text. What effect do the illustrations have on your reading of the story?

DIFFER FROM AN EUROPEAN FAIRY TALE

STORY

The Wizard of Oz has been called the first American fairy tale and Baum's intentions were to differed from European ones. How is this story different from other fairy tales you've read or are familiar with?

Baum is said to have disliked the way traditional fairy tales taught morals and values. Does Oz express any particular values or moral lessons? And how are they communicated in the story?