L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz

L. Frank Baum wrote The Wonderful Wizard of Oz more than 115 years ago, but it still remains one of the most beloved and well known children’s stories of all time. Baum weaved together a fantastical tale of a young girl being transported to a faraway magical land with witches and wizards and other mythical creatures such as Munchkins, Winkies, and Quadlings. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz remains as one of the most famous children’s stories of all time because of its fantastical setting, the triumph of good over evil and the positive portrayal of a powerful young girl. The protagonist Dorothy is young girl from rural Kansas, a dull and gray land where melancholy prevails and laughter is almost nonexistent. Baum created a loveable character who is able to
Oz is the perfect place for children to dream about and explore in the minds, for it is a land where good prevails over evil and children have the power to change the world. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a beloved children’s book not only because of its fantastical setting, but also because of its message that good triumphs evil. Dorothy is the quintessential heroine due to her innocence and optimistic outlook and benevolent nature. In The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, there is a clear line between good and evil, divided by the cardinal directions. To the north and the south, reside the good witches of Oz, and to the east and the west reside the wicked witches of Oz. Dorothy upsets this balance when she arrives in Oz and unintentionally kills the Wicked Witch of the East with her house. This act tips the scales in favor of good and eventually all evil is beaten in the story. Dorothy is able to defeat the Wicked Witch of the West, the Wizard of Oz, the flying monkeys, and the Quadlings because she “is protected by the power of good, and that is greater than the power of evil” (124). When the good witch of the north kisses Dorothy