THE WIZARD OF OZ

So, back in art school, I took a psychology class. Nothing major, just a simple class to give a broad idea of how people think. It was an art school, so the idea was to appeal to the way that people think via art. By having an understanding this, you could target your artwork in certain ways. I also, took a class entitled color theory, that did the same, but, thru the usage of color. Anyway, the psychology class was an elective actually, and I've always had an interest in what makes people tick. So, in taking this class, I was opened up to different schools of thought in psychology itself. One of our tests, was a critique on a movie. We would choose a movie, and then dissect it using what we've learned in class. Which was right up my alley because I love movies, and especially movies with subtext, so this was no longer a test, but, just pure fun for me. We did this twice for this class. Once at mid-term and then again for finals. I got A's for both. The final, I did over a movie entitled, Two girls and a Guy, starring Robert Downey Jr. It was a great movie, with good solid acting, but, odd premise. However, my mid-term critique was on the Wizard of Oz. Now, keep in mind, I was experimenting with drugs at the time, so some of this might be a bit far fetched, but, it got me an A, so I'm pretty proud of this.

The beginning of the movie, is a precursor to when they actually get to Oz. There are certain elements of the story, that to me are for plot or good storytelling, but, the overall idea of the movie is about a young single woman in search of a male companion. The story, takes place as a journey on what is called the yellow brick road, which is a sign that this is intended to be a cautionary tale. At the beginning of the movie Dorothy receives the ruby red slippers, which is a sign, that she has just entered womanhood, via menstrual cycle. Toto, Dorothy's dog, represents her ability/desire to have a child. The story is about, Dorothy trying to get back home, but, she has to get to the Emerald City, and talk to the Wizard to do so.

As she sets out, on this quest, she encounters 3 characters, which represent 3 types of young men she will encounter in her life. First, is the Tin Man, which is the type of young man who is cool and tough on the exterior, but only because there is nothing within. Tin Man, lacks a heart, which is a lack of emotion, and a lack of compassion. This type of young man is not suitable, because he becomes stagnant, so she has to constantly oil him/give him attention. He follows her on her quest, which is a sign, that this man is a burden to her, and not the type of man, she should consider companionship with. Next, there is the scarecrow, which represents the funny guy, that makes her laugh, but, has no brain. Which is a sign that, although this young man is entertaining, he is not suitable, because he does not think and will certainly bring about pitfalls. She has to carry him at first, but, eventually he gains some stability and joins her on her quest, which to me, is a sign that this type of young man has some ability, but ultimately is a burden. Last, is the Cowardly Lion, which is the type of young man she will encounter, that is ferocious and scary in appearance, but, is full of fear within. This is to me the ultimate tough guy/overcompensation persona, the bad boy. The cowardly lion is a ferocious beast on the exterior, even with a nice little red bow on his head, which might be a sign of vanity? The lion's lack of courage, is constantly tended to by Dorothy, by her urging him that everything will be ok. This last type of young man, is a burden as well, as he follows the trio, because he has to be coddled like a scared child and is prone to tantrums.

The villain in the story, is the Wicked Witch of the West. The wicked witch, is constantly watching Dorothy, and the types of men she encounters, however, all she is concerned with is Dorothy's slippers. The slippers, as I said before, would represent, Dorothy's menstrual cycle, and therefore, I believe this would make the wicked witch, a post menopausal older woman. Green, which is the color of the witch, further solidifies that, because green is a color for envy. The ruby slippers could also, be a sign, of youth and the witch is jealous for that purpose as well. One could also argue, that the broom, represents a sort of masturbation apparatus. Seeing the young men with Dorothy, despite these character flaws, has only encouraged the jealousy within the witch/post menopausal woman. Being that she can't attract men sexually, she resorts to her broom. In the end, the witch is undone by a bucket of water, that causes her to melt. Water is life, however, water is also lubrication. Therefore, this encounter, could be interpreted, one of two ways, the witch finally had an orgasm, meaning she finally had a sexually satisfying encounter, or, there was a lesbian encounter between Dorothy and the witch.

Lastly, Dorothy, and her troupe of failed companions, head to the emerald city, which could have several connotations. This could be a big city, or this could be a college, or institute of learning. Given that the city is made of emerald and is green, it stands that this could be a place of growth, either monetarily or mentally. I tend to lean toward, a college or institute of learning, the yellow brick road leads to this city, so the cautionary tale gives way to idea of imparting knowledge. The point of going to the Emerald City, is to meet this Wizard of Oz. The Wizard, is a huge scary apparition, which scares Dorothy initially, but Toto, reveals behind the curtain, an older man and his true nature. The fact that Toto, revealed this man, gives way to the idea, that this is the type of man, Dorothy might be interested in, because of his power, stature, and ultimately kindheartedness and simplicity. This could easily be a father figure type, or a professor of sorts. Dorothy soon discovers, a man who once appeared to be scary, to be much less than that. However, because of his initial fraud, he would not be a suitable companion either, despite his good nature. This leads me to believe, that this man might be married and the entire experience was a warming on affairs. Ultimately the Wizard granted the young men the pieces they were missing in their lives. This could be explained in two ways, this act represents that either education, experience, or maturity, bring about the suitability of a companion.

In the end, Dorothy, says that the person, she will miss the most, is the scarecrow. Why? Because women find that a sense of humor is the most attractive quality in a man, and now that the scarecrow has a brain, he is probably the most suitable for her. The act of clicking her heels to get home, represents, the act of sex and her desire to start a home and a family, with that particular type of man. Now, I may be way off base on some of this, but, this is the breakdown that got me the A grade. I expounded upon it a little, because its been awhile and I had a little more time to explain, but, all of it is still pretty close to exactly what I had written original many years ago. Thanks for reading, lemme know what you thought.        - 925