Lisa’s review of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Oz, #1) > Likes and Comments
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Fantastic review!!
So Lis you are not one who sees it as a parable on America needing to adopt bi-metalism in order to aid US farmers?
Jean-Paul wrote: "Heart-warming review, Lisa. Sounds like it should be obligatory reading for children in the effort to forge a better world..."
It is a start at least, Jean-Paul! And each journey starts with the first step!
Mackey wrote: "Fantastic review!!"
Thank you, Mackey!
Jan-Maat wrote: "So Lis you are not one who sees it as a parable on America needing to adopt bi-metalism in order to aid US farmers?"
Haha - no! In this case, I allow myself an entirely personal, optimistic interpretation, far away from isolationist populism. I just love this story so much! And sometimes, when a tornado hits, and you feel like a rather cowardly lioness, it is nice to walk with a scarecrow and a tin woodman for company!
Lisa wrote: "Jan-Maat wrote: "So Lis you are not one who sees it as a parable on America needing to adopt bi-metalism in order to aid US farmers?"
Haha - no! In this case, I allow myself an entirely personal, ..."
Speak for yourself, I don't find either particularly edible, though there is always the little girl and her dog I suppose
Jan-Maat wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Jan-Maat wrote: "So Lis you are not one who sees it as a parable on America needing to adopt bi-metalism in order to aid US farmers?"
Haha - no! In this case, I allow myself an entire..."
There must be some fruit. I'll be a cowardly, vegetarian lioness. Reality will hit again when the next waiting Dostoyevsky brick crashes on my head. Until then, I'll try not to eat my friends.
There must be some fruit. I'll be a cowardly, vegetarian lioness. Reality will hit again when the next waiting Dostoyevsky brick crashes on my head. Until then, I'll try not to eat my friends. ."
best not to, the tin and straw get stuck between the teeth
Isn’t it amazing how such an anti-capitalist allegory can embed itself into capitalist culture so firmly that its political intention becomes invisible? True genius.
If you want to teach children the power of empathy, cooperation, courage and learning by doing, this is the best book ever - noted for the nephew, Lisa! (3)
BlackOxford wrote: "Isn’t it amazing how such an anti-capitalist allegory can embed itself into capitalist culture so firmly that its political intention becomes invisible? True genius."
As Pirandello stated in Sei personaggi in cerca d'autore, characters are quite independent from their authors once they are in the world :-)
Another of the many books I missed reading as a kid who read growing up.
Lisa wrote: "BlackOxford wrote: "Isn’t it amazing how such an anti-capitalist allegory can embed itself into capitalist culture so firmly that its political intention becomes invisible? True genius."
As Pirand..."
Indeed. But their relationships to each other are more or less well understood based on interpretation. Ignoring the author’s intention seems to me a defective or at least incomplete interpretation. The fact that courage, intelligence, and personal integrity confront very specific historical obstacles makes the story more interesting and meaningful, niet wahr?
It’s fascinating to think that four or five generations of children have been subtly indoctrinated on a global scale into a rural populism. Perhaps it’s why we have Trump and Modi. Just sayin’.
The wizard of Oz is a marvellous archetype for modern politicians the con man with the tinted spectacles
BlackOxford wrote: "Lisa wrote: "BlackOxford wrote: "Isn’t it amazing how such an anti-capitalist allegory can embed itself into capitalist culture so firmly that its political intention becomes invisible? True genius..."
I agree with you that background knowledge of the author's intention is helpful, but it can also limit a work of literature that transcends its original context. I can't see any direct indoctrination in the text itself, and I doubt Baum wrote it only for the purpose of political propaganda.
I'd say we have Trump because of indoctrination of children with blind faith in nationalism (as my students returning from years in American schools talk about the focus on anthems and American exceptionalism in history class), and in the perception that anything goes as long as you can earn money with it. I doubt that the values in The Wizard of Oz are to blame for the current situation in the world. Blatant narcissism and blind faith in dogma are not to be found in the book. If the author's intention ruled blindly, I would have to tell my kids not to read Narnia, to avoid ridiculous Christian indoctrination?
Jan-Maat wrote: "The wizard of Oz is a marvellous archetype for modern politicians the con man with the tinted spectacles"
That is true. But as opposed to the masses of populist followers today, Dorothy and her friends call him out on his "fake news", and confront him with his behaviour. That is why I think the story works well beyond the narrow frame of its political origin.
Great review as ever, and a welcome emphasis on some eternal qualities in an era of mendacity and relativism.
I'll get off the soapbox now.
Ray wrote: "Great review as ever, and a welcome emphasis on some eternal qualities in an era of mendacity and relativism.
I'll get off the soapbox now."
Cheers to soapboxes, Ray! That is what we are here for - among other things :-)
T for Tongue-tied wrote: "“Yeh, it's sad, believe me, Missy
When you're born to be a sissy
Without the vim and verve
But I could change my habits
Never more be scared of rabbits
If I only had the nerve...”
Where’s that yel..."
I am walking along it, singing in my pink raincoat!
T for Tongue-tied wrote: "Lisa wrote: "I am walking along it, singing in my pink raincoat!"
Hear, hear! My bowler hat is skipping right behind you!
(Lisa and T singing in their best, caffeinated voices)
“We're off to see..."
That's the spirit! Makes me laugh out loud to imagine us singing on the yellow brick road.
Ken wrote: "Another of the many books I missed reading as a kid who read growing up."
I also missed many of the great classics, Ken, and am still working on catching up!
Lisa wrote: "I agree with you that background knowledge of the author's intention is helpful, but it can also limit a work of literature that transcends its original context. I can't see any direct indoctrination in the text itself, and I doubt Baum wrote it only for the purpose of political propaganda."
Given that the series went to a large number of books I'm sure it wasn't just about one thing.
Given that the series went to a large number of books I'm sure it wasn't just about one thing. on the contrary that seems to reflect a considerable desire to make money ;)
Jan-Maat wrote: "Given that the series went to a large number of books I'm sure it wasn't just about one thing. on the contrary that seems to reflect a considerable desire to make money ;)"
Yep. My kids have a whole collection of them at home. I have now spent some time reading up on Littlefield's theory, written some 70 years after the publication of The Wizard, and as interesting as it sounds, it certainly has to be taken with a grain of salt - considering the atmoshere of his own era, which was prone to dogmatic fear and populism of its own flavour. Apparently Christians claim it as an allegory of faith as well - which seems far more dangerous a doctrine for my children than a weak dose of socialism ;-)
He could have stated his populist opinions a bit less subtly, I think - to make it obvious which propaganda to follow. Otherwise the danger is quite evidrnt that stupid readers just take the general message of resilience and enjoy the story...
Dimitri wrote: "If you want to teach children the power of empathy, cooperation, courage and learning by doing, this is the best book ever - noted for the nephew, Lisa! (3)"
I read it with my kids when they were 10, 9 and 7, and they all loved it, but the ten-year-old obviously understood more. My youngest said she wants to reread it soon (now 11), as she doesn't remember everything from when we read it all together.
Excellent review, though I'm a little ashamed that I know the film but not the book.
Lisa wrote: "Apparently Christians claim it as an allegory of faith as well - which seems far more dangerous a doctrine for my children than a weak dose of socialism ;-)"
Eek - and LOL.
Cecily wrote: "Excellent review, though I'm a little ashamed that I know the film but not the book.
Lisa wrote: "Apparently Christians claim it as an allegory of faith as well - which seems far more dangerous a ..."
Hehehe - I think I got inoculated against focusing on different "scholarly" interpreations of authors' intentions while producing my oen PhD thesis in cultural studies. First of all, you read too many theses with diverging ideas, and you lose touch with the original text by trying to wade through the muddle of academia, and second, you realise that a thesis (mine included) says more about the researcher than about the object of research. It is interesting, and stimulating to work in literary or cultural research, but it is not something I use as a sole tool to judge whether a book is propaganda or not.
Jaline wrote: "Lovely, Lisa!! :)"
Thank you, Jaline!
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Mackey
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Oct 22, 2017 11:06AM
Fantastic review!!
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So Lis you are not one who sees it as a parable on America needing to adopt bi-metalism in order to aid US farmers?
Jean-Paul wrote: "Heart-warming review, Lisa. Sounds like it should be obligatory reading for children in the effort to forge a better world..."It is a start at least, Jean-Paul! And each journey starts with the first step!
Mackey wrote: "Fantastic review!!"Thank you, Mackey!
Jan-Maat wrote: "So Lis you are not one who sees it as a parable on America needing to adopt bi-metalism in order to aid US farmers?"Haha - no! In this case, I allow myself an entirely personal, optimistic interpretation, far away from isolationist populism. I just love this story so much! And sometimes, when a tornado hits, and you feel like a rather cowardly lioness, it is nice to walk with a scarecrow and a tin woodman for company!
Lisa wrote: "Jan-Maat wrote: "So Lis you are not one who sees it as a parable on America needing to adopt bi-metalism in order to aid US farmers?"Haha - no! In this case, I allow myself an entirely personal, ..."
Speak for yourself, I don't find either particularly edible, though there is always the little girl and her dog I suppose
Jan-Maat wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Jan-Maat wrote: "So Lis you are not one who sees it as a parable on America needing to adopt bi-metalism in order to aid US farmers?"Haha - no! In this case, I allow myself an entire..."
There must be some fruit. I'll be a cowardly, vegetarian lioness. Reality will hit again when the next waiting Dostoyevsky brick crashes on my head. Until then, I'll try not to eat my friends.
There must be some fruit. I'll be a cowardly, vegetarian lioness. Reality will hit again when the next waiting Dostoyevsky brick crashes on my head. Until then, I'll try not to eat my friends. ."best not to, the tin and straw get stuck between the teeth
Isn’t it amazing how such an anti-capitalist allegory can embed itself into capitalist culture so firmly that its political intention becomes invisible? True genius.
If you want to teach children the power of empathy, cooperation, courage and learning by doing, this is the best book ever - noted for the nephew, Lisa! (3)
BlackOxford wrote: "Isn’t it amazing how such an anti-capitalist allegory can embed itself into capitalist culture so firmly that its political intention becomes invisible? True genius."As Pirandello stated in Sei personaggi in cerca d'autore, characters are quite independent from their authors once they are in the world :-)
Another of the many books I missed reading as a kid who read growing up.
Lisa wrote: "BlackOxford wrote: "Isn’t it amazing how such an anti-capitalist allegory can embed itself into capitalist culture so firmly that its political intention becomes invisible? True genius."As Pirand..."
Indeed. But their relationships to each other are more or less well understood based on interpretation. Ignoring the author’s intention seems to me a defective or at least incomplete interpretation. The fact that courage, intelligence, and personal integrity confront very specific historical obstacles makes the story more interesting and meaningful, niet wahr?
It’s fascinating to think that four or five generations of children have been subtly indoctrinated on a global scale into a rural populism. Perhaps it’s why we have Trump and Modi. Just sayin’.
The wizard of Oz is a marvellous archetype for modern politicians the con man with the tinted spectacles
BlackOxford wrote: "Lisa wrote: "BlackOxford wrote: "Isn’t it amazing how such an anti-capitalist allegory can embed itself into capitalist culture so firmly that its political intention becomes invisible? True genius..."I agree with you that background knowledge of the author's intention is helpful, but it can also limit a work of literature that transcends its original context. I can't see any direct indoctrination in the text itself, and I doubt Baum wrote it only for the purpose of political propaganda.
I'd say we have Trump because of indoctrination of children with blind faith in nationalism (as my students returning from years in American schools talk about the focus on anthems and American exceptionalism in history class), and in the perception that anything goes as long as you can earn money with it. I doubt that the values in The Wizard of Oz are to blame for the current situation in the world. Blatant narcissism and blind faith in dogma are not to be found in the book. If the author's intention ruled blindly, I would have to tell my kids not to read Narnia, to avoid ridiculous Christian indoctrination?
Jan-Maat wrote: "The wizard of Oz is a marvellous archetype for modern politicians the con man with the tinted spectacles"That is true. But as opposed to the masses of populist followers today, Dorothy and her friends call him out on his "fake news", and confront him with his behaviour. That is why I think the story works well beyond the narrow frame of its political origin.
Great review as ever, and a welcome emphasis on some eternal qualities in an era of mendacity and relativism. I'll get off the soapbox now.
“Yeh, it's sad, believe me, Missy
When you're born to be a sissy
Without the vim and verve
But I could change my habits
Never more be scared of rabbits
If I only had the nerve...”
Where’s that yellow brick road again?...;)
When you're born to be a sissy
Without the vim and verve
But I could change my habits
Never more be scared of rabbits
If I only had the nerve...”
Where’s that yellow brick road again?...;)
Ray wrote: "Great review as ever, and a welcome emphasis on some eternal qualities in an era of mendacity and relativism. I'll get off the soapbox now."
Cheers to soapboxes, Ray! That is what we are here for - among other things :-)
T for Tongue-tied wrote: "“Yeh, it's sad, believe me, MissyWhen you're born to be a sissy
Without the vim and verve
But I could change my habits
Never more be scared of rabbits
If I only had the nerve...”
Where’s that yel..."
I am walking along it, singing in my pink raincoat!
Lisa wrote: "I am walking along it, singing in my pink raincoat!"
Hear, hear! My bowler hat is skipping right behind you!
(Lisa and T singing in their best, caffeinated voices)
“We're off to see the wizard,
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
We hear he is a whiz of a wiz,
if ever a wiz there was...”
Hear, hear! My bowler hat is skipping right behind you!
(Lisa and T singing in their best, caffeinated voices)
“We're off to see the wizard,
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
We hear he is a whiz of a wiz,
if ever a wiz there was...”
T for Tongue-tied wrote: "Lisa wrote: "I am walking along it, singing in my pink raincoat!"Hear, hear! My bowler hat is skipping right behind you!
(Lisa and T singing in their best, caffeinated voices)
“We're off to see..."
That's the spirit! Makes me laugh out loud to imagine us singing on the yellow brick road.
Ken wrote: "Another of the many books I missed reading as a kid who read growing up."I also missed many of the great classics, Ken, and am still working on catching up!
Lisa wrote: "I agree with you that background knowledge of the author's intention is helpful, but it can also limit a work of literature that transcends its original context. I can't see any direct indoctrination in the text itself, and I doubt Baum wrote it only for the purpose of political propaganda."Given that the series went to a large number of books I'm sure it wasn't just about one thing.
Given that the series went to a large number of books I'm sure it wasn't just about one thing. on the contrary that seems to reflect a considerable desire to make money ;)
Jan-Maat wrote: "Given that the series went to a large number of books I'm sure it wasn't just about one thing. on the contrary that seems to reflect a considerable desire to make money ;)"Yep. My kids have a whole collection of them at home. I have now spent some time reading up on Littlefield's theory, written some 70 years after the publication of The Wizard, and as interesting as it sounds, it certainly has to be taken with a grain of salt - considering the atmoshere of his own era, which was prone to dogmatic fear and populism of its own flavour. Apparently Christians claim it as an allegory of faith as well - which seems far more dangerous a doctrine for my children than a weak dose of socialism ;-)
He could have stated his populist opinions a bit less subtly, I think - to make it obvious which propaganda to follow. Otherwise the danger is quite evidrnt that stupid readers just take the general message of resilience and enjoy the story...
Dimitri wrote: "If you want to teach children the power of empathy, cooperation, courage and learning by doing, this is the best book ever - noted for the nephew, Lisa! (3)"I read it with my kids when they were 10, 9 and 7, and they all loved it, but the ten-year-old obviously understood more. My youngest said she wants to reread it soon (now 11), as she doesn't remember everything from when we read it all together.
Excellent review, though I'm a little ashamed that I know the film but not the book.Lisa wrote: "Apparently Christians claim it as an allegory of faith as well - which seems far more dangerous a doctrine for my children than a weak dose of socialism ;-)"
Eek - and LOL.
Cecily wrote: "Excellent review, though I'm a little ashamed that I know the film but not the book.Lisa wrote: "Apparently Christians claim it as an allegory of faith as well - which seems far more dangerous a ..."
Hehehe - I think I got inoculated against focusing on different "scholarly" interpreations of authors' intentions while producing my oen PhD thesis in cultural studies. First of all, you read too many theses with diverging ideas, and you lose touch with the original text by trying to wade through the muddle of academia, and second, you realise that a thesis (mine included) says more about the researcher than about the object of research. It is interesting, and stimulating to work in literary or cultural research, but it is not something I use as a sole tool to judge whether a book is propaganda or not.
Jaline wrote: "Lovely, Lisa!! :)"Thank you, Jaline!
