Is Dorothy Gale a theosophist? The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a journey by a young little girl hoping to get back home and discovering many truths on the way. Likewise, theosophists embark on journeys to find the truth within oneself and the world. Frank Baum, the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, borrows many ideas from theosophy, the study of divine wisdom. From general characterization, to Dorothy's silver slippers, it seems that Baum could not resist to add a whole new meaning to the book. Inconspicuous similarities to theosophy in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz are illustrated through the settings, characters and other trivial matters included in the novel.
To begin, the settings portrayed in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz are important yet …show more content…
Dorothy Gale is the main protagonist who is removed from Kansas and transported to Oz. There is she embarks on a journey to reach Kansas. Dorothy is similar to the soul because she has left the comforts of Kansas, to find her way through Oz just to return back to Kansas. The same is true for the soul. The soul leaves the comforts of nirvana, to find its way through humanity's world just to return back to nirvana. Next, we are introduced to Dorothy's infamous companions. First Dorothy encounters the Scarecrow, next the tin woodman, and finally the lion. The order in which Dorothy meets them is important since they represent (are linked) H.P. Blavatsky's description of the 3 personality that must developed, in order to defeat the perils of life. "There is no danger that dauntless courage cannot conquer; there is no trial that spotless purity cannot pass through; there is no difficulty that strong intellect cannot surmount." Courage is what the lion desires, Purity is what the Tin woodman desires, and intellect is what the scarecrow desires. Finally, the infamous Oz is an important part of the story. He is believed to be the almighty of the Land of Oz. He represents the God that monotheistic religions believe in. This is because Theosophy does not believe in God, so they think the perception of God is not truly known. By allowing Dorothy to see that Oz is not powerful, but a mere human, it depicts …show more content…
In the beginning of the story, Kansas is plagued by a cyclone. The cyclone wrecks havoc on Dorothy's life and transports her to the Land of Oz. The idea in theosophy is that all souls go through the cycle of life, the cycle of birth and death. The cyclone represents the concept that a soul must be latched into the cycle in order to progress into life. Upon arriving to Oz she was given silver shoes that belonged to the wicked witch. Silver shoes can be an acknowledgement to the infamous silver cord. Theosophists believe that a soul is connected to its physical body by a silver cord. Like the silver cord, Dorothy's silver shoes keep her in intact with Oz. Finally, the wearing of green glasses inside the Emerald City demonstrates how religious figures insist that the followers adapt the teachings of the religion. This is evident in the novel since to enter the city you are required to wear the glasses. This comes to show theosophical ideas because theosophists are against
To begin, the settings portrayed in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz are important yet …show more content…
Dorothy Gale is the main protagonist who is removed from Kansas and transported to Oz. There is she embarks on a journey to reach Kansas. Dorothy is similar to the soul because she has left the comforts of Kansas, to find her way through Oz just to return back to Kansas. The same is true for the soul. The soul leaves the comforts of nirvana, to find its way through humanity's world just to return back to nirvana. Next, we are introduced to Dorothy's infamous companions. First Dorothy encounters the Scarecrow, next the tin woodman, and finally the lion. The order in which Dorothy meets them is important since they represent (are linked) H.P. Blavatsky's description of the 3 personality that must developed, in order to defeat the perils of life. "There is no danger that dauntless courage cannot conquer; there is no trial that spotless purity cannot pass through; there is no difficulty that strong intellect cannot surmount." Courage is what the lion desires, Purity is what the Tin woodman desires, and intellect is what the scarecrow desires. Finally, the infamous Oz is an important part of the story. He is believed to be the almighty of the Land of Oz. He represents the God that monotheistic religions believe in. This is because Theosophy does not believe in God, so they think the perception of God is not truly known. By allowing Dorothy to see that Oz is not powerful, but a mere human, it depicts …show more content…
In the beginning of the story, Kansas is plagued by a cyclone. The cyclone wrecks havoc on Dorothy's life and transports her to the Land of Oz. The idea in theosophy is that all souls go through the cycle of life, the cycle of birth and death. The cyclone represents the concept that a soul must be latched into the cycle in order to progress into life. Upon arriving to Oz she was given silver shoes that belonged to the wicked witch. Silver shoes can be an acknowledgement to the infamous silver cord. Theosophists believe that a soul is connected to its physical body by a silver cord. Like the silver cord, Dorothy's silver shoes keep her in intact with Oz. Finally, the wearing of green glasses inside the Emerald City demonstrates how religious figures insist that the followers adapt the teachings of the religion. This is evident in the novel since to enter the city you are required to wear the glasses. This comes to show theosophical ideas because theosophists are against