The Wizard of Oz (1939) is among the most lucid but transformative fantasies you’ll ever watch. Following younger Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland), the narrative takes us to the magical Land of Oz, a mystical land that bears a deep resemblance to our very personal realities. There are good folks after which there are dangerous; there’s corruption and politics, and at last, greed to break every thing.
Fairly an irony that Dorothy wished to seek out “a spot the place there isn’t any hassle” and she or he lands within the Land of Oz, isn’t it? The refined foreshadowing proper at first of Victor Fleming’s The Wizard of Oz is as symbolic as Dorothy’s first line, the second she units foot within the Land of Oz, “Toto, I’ve a sense we’re not in Kansas anymore.”
On this article, we’re analyzing how a single line delivered by Dorothy symbolically elevates The Wizard of Oz.
The Scene
Dorothy is each shocked and fascinated to see the colourful world proper outdoors her door. Confused, she picks up Toto in her arms and walks out hesitantly. It’s nothing like her small farm in Kansas. There are small homes, however they’re fancier than those in her village, all types of flowers all over the place, and a brook working steadily beneath a curved bridge. At a distance, she will be able to see the hills. Bewildered, Dorothy whispers to her canine, “Toto, I’ve a sense we’re not in Kansas anymore.”
Context Is All the things
Realizing why Dorothy is within the Land of Ozis as essential as figuring out how she obtained there (she was flown there by a cyclone…at the least that’s what we’re alleged to imagine). Reaching right here was like a random want coming inadvertently true for her.
Dorothy lives on a small, close-knit farm in Kansas along with her uncle and aunt. Her greatest buddy is her canine Toto, whom she takes all over the place along with her. Within the village, everybody loves younger Dorothy however one—Miss Gulch, the rich girl who owns nearly 70% of the village. No one likes Miss Gulch, however they’re compelled to place up along with her due to her cash and affect.
Miss Gulch is very imply to Toto and Dorothy due to the occasional trespassing by Toto into her property. The movie opens with Dorothy and Toto working away from Miss Gulch’s wrath, who hit Toto with the again of a rake. Hellbent on eliminating Toto, Miss Gulch leverages the chance to deliver an order by legislation which directs that Dorothy ought to hand over Toto to Miss Gulch.
Dorothy is devastated. She pleads, throws a match, and even bodily tries to battle as Miss Gulch tries to grab Toto from her arms, however nothing works. Even her uncle and aunt, who’re deeply saddened by Dorothy’s plight, sit there helplessly, tied by a authorized order. Finally, Miss Gulch leaves with Toto. However on her approach house, Toto sneaks out of the basket and makes his technique to Dorothy. Disenchanted and heartbroken by what occurred a short time again, Dorothy decides to run away with Toto.
They wander round for a bit till they come upon a fortune teller, Professor Marvel, who tells Dorothy that her aunt again house is extraordinarily frightened about her. Listening to that, Dorothy instantly decides to return house. However as quickly as she units out for house, a cyclone hits her city.
Dorothy reaches her house someway and begins to search for her aunt and uncle. Unable to seek out anybody, she shortly takes shelter inside the home. However the window is blown away by the wind, and a chunk of wooden hits Dorothy on her head and renders her unconscious. The storm continues to rage.
Dorothy wakes as much as discover that the storm has stopped. She will get up and pulls open the door to step out, however what she sees outdoors shocks her. She isn’t in Kansas anymore, however in an odd land.
Symbolism and Irony within the Line
The road has an undertone of cynicism combined with each surprise and worry. Dorothy’s preliminary plan was to run away, and now she is in an odd land, nothing like she has ever seen earlier than. So, ending up in a brand new place aligns along with her preliminary plan. On the identical time, at first look, it’s good. Colourful and fantastical, the Land of Ozfeels like a dream to Dorothy.
“Toto, I’ve a sense we’re not in Kansas anymore” can be drenched in irony, as slowly however absolutely the Land of Ozindeed seems to be similar to Kansas (or our society normally), which includes each good and dangerous. Everyone seems to be looking for one thing externally that forestalls them from taking a peek inside: Dorothy is in search of a approach again house, the Scarecrow is in search of a mind, the lion seeks braveness, and the Tin Man is in search of a coronary heart.
Because the narrative progresses, every character realizes that the ability lies inside themselves. Survival is a solo battle, and Dorothy discovering energy inside herself highlights the significance of self-belief.
The Wizard of Oz is commonly misunderstood as a youngsters’s movie, however should you go a number of layers down, the narrative reveals itself to be probably the most poignant coming-of-age tales that offers with common themes, together with transformation and self-discovery. It additionally tells you a narrative of manifestation, as ultimately, Dorothy learns that she did not want something however her personal will to return house (and, after all, the ruby slippers, however that is the metaphor!).
Have you ever watched the film but?
