The Wizard of Oz represents in itself a spiritual journey, an expanded allegory of the mystical path and enlightenment. Dorothy goes along the yellow brick road to the Emerald City – to meet the wizard Goodwin. On her way, she meets loyal friends – the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Cowardly Lion. Each character represents a certain metaphor, a symbol of some kind. Barber (2019) even adds “just look at the trio of frightened and feeble misfits that accompanies its heroine along the yellow brick road” (pp. 3). However, the main symbolism of their personalities and actions lies in the allegory of self-efficacy – and, in the end, self-acceptance.
The Scarecrow, whom Dorothy met first, considers himself stupid, so he heads to the Emerald City to ask the wizard Goodwin for brains. He wants to think for himself, not simply be a tool for other people. Next is the Tinman – a collective persona of workers, from whom the industrial society demanded superhuman efforts and gradually took their humanity, turning them into robots. He remembers the love he once felt and yearns for his lost human heart. Thus, the Tinman goes to the wizard to ask him for a living, feeling heart. Finally, the Cowardly Lion goes to the Emerald City to ask the wizard to give him courage. A lion is an ancient symbol of will and royal power – therefore, a cowardly lion is a paradox. Lion’s cowardice causes a great dissonance between himself and the viewer. Within each of their desires, lies the need for self-acceptance, which they all lack.
Friends ask the Wizard for what they already possess. The Scarecrow always comes up with ingenious solutions, saving friends from various predicaments. The Tinman shows kindness and compassion, even crying over a bug. The Cowardly Lion scares off terrible monsters, and, in general, turns out to be the strongest and bravest of all. Finally, Dorothy goes through many dangerous tests, despite all of her insecurities, finding a way to return home to Kansas. Sauma (2019) states that “this chaotic, surreal musical is about a teenage girl, her dog, and her three weird friends trying to become their best selves” (pp. 5). In the end, the moral is transparent: the best qualities are already in the individual from the very beginning. The essence of a hard journey is precise to discover the resources in themselves that they never knew they possess.
References
Barber, N. (2019). The subversive messages hidden in The Wizard of Oz. BBC Culture.
Sauma, L. (2019). The wizard of Oz at 80: How the world fell under its dark spell. The Guardian.