Characters

Friday, February 5, 2010
Characters

The Wizard of Oz is an American classic that will be studied for many many years. I hadn’t seen the entire movie in possibly ten years. I didn’t even remember some of the events that occurred in the move. Here is all the information I obtained from the following characters.

Dorothy- Dorothy is a young girl who seems very innocent. She is not really aware of anything going on around her. In the beginning of the film she seems more afraid of what’s going to happen to her dog than to help Auntie Em and Uncle Henry with any of the work they’re doing. Some external conflicts she faces are returning home, not being killed by the wicked witch of the West, and the safety of Toto. Dorothy is a braze girl and we can thank her master narrative for that. Auntie Em has clearly raised her to be strong and well mannered. During the film the cowardly lion is picking on tin man and scarecrow, and Dorothy slaps his wrist and say’s “you should be ashamed of yourself.” I believe that Dorothy went from being unaware of the world around her to becoming conscience of the “real world.” Showing that it can be ugly, fake, and deceiving.

Professor marvel/Wizard of Oz/ Guy that drives the Oz crew around Emerald City/ Gatekeeper/ Big faker- This guy is known as a multifaceted character. He’s a con artist. In Kansas he lies to people, claiming he can see into the feature when in reality he can’t. In the world of Oz he lies to the entire Emerald city claiming there’s an all powerful Wizard when in reality, it’s him. The only time he shows some human emotion in him, is when Dorothy starts crying because she will never return home. Internal conflicts this character has is lying to so many people, and dealing with the guilt.

Scarecrow/hunk?- All three of the characters that Dorothy encounters seem to be genuine person in the world of Oz. He will protect visiting Dorothy even if it means being caught on fire by the wicked witch of the West. His External conflict is wanting a brain, because when they stuffed him they didn’t include one. He agrees to help Dorothy find he wizard in hopes of obtaining a brain.
Tin Man- Dorothy and Scarecrow are walking down the yellow brick road when they stumble upon a Tin Man. He seems to be saying “oil can.” After being freed Dorothy and Scarecrow offer him to join the party in the hunt for the wizard of Oz. Tin Man claims he has everything, but a heart. Again, he seems like a genuine person in the land of Oz. His External is not having a heart.

Cowardly Lion/Zeke- The cowardly lion at first seems dangerous. In reality he is terrified of flowers, bunnies, and pretty much everything else. His external conflict is that he’s a lion (supposed to be like the most dangerous animal on land) and is a complete coward. I think toward the end he attacks the Wizard of Oz, but my memory can’t recall.

Elmira Gulch/ Wicked witch of the West- In Kansas she owns half the county. She comes off as a heartless woman, when she comes to take Dorothy’s dog away with no remorse. From my understanding the fact that she “owns half the county” means that she pretty much does, and gets what she wants. Hence the Wicked witch of the West wanting Dorothy’s shoes. The Wicked witch of the West is ruthless and will do anything to obtain what she wants. External conflict is being 100% pure evil.
Glinda/Good witch- Doesn’t appear much in the film, but she plays an important part in Dorothy’s master narrative when she claims “I thought all witches were ugly.” That’s the mentality that the author gave Dorothy. She does protect Dorothy during her journey to find Oz.

Uncle Henry- Dorothy’s Uncle.

Auntie Em-Dorothy’s Aunt. Hates Gultch.

Toto-Dorothy’s dog. He bites the soon to be wicked witch of the West and causes the sheriff to have him taken from Dorothy, but he escapes and runs home. He’s basically a beast, powerful, and fierce.

These are the main characters to The Wizard of Oz. I’m not sure if the Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion, and Tin Man had any hidden meanings linked to them. Something I did pick up on was that all three wanted things they already had, but didn’t know it at the time. Maybe it was Dorothy who helped their true selves come out, and they helped Dorothy realize that she had a great group of people that cared for her and loved her. She say’s in the movie “I feel like I’ve know you all my life.” The Lion, Scarecrow, and Tin Man are the guys that work on Auntie Em and Uncle Henrys farm. Elmira Gulch rules over the Kansas County, and the wicked witch of the West rules and torments the land of Oz. Lastly, Professor Marvel is a con artist that spends his life lying to people, and The Wizard of Oz is nothing but a fable.

Posted by macaDamian at 10:30 AM
Labels: Damian Zuniga