Having known one two many wicked witches as of late in my dealings with miscreant types leaves me quite interested in L. Frank Baum’s real intent and meaning when writing The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz in 1900. The popular movie starring Judy Garland while close in tonality does not exactly depict the deeper meaning nor life philosophy of the original book. A world entering WWII was ready for a value based tale and so the big screen version was a well received and reinforcing message entertainment vehicle … America wanted to be reassured that you can go home again. Was Baum defining or promoting or even endorsing populism, progressivism – possibly theosophy? Are these ideas ascribed to the book no more than an intellectual overreach – for did not L. Frank Baum write himself as an introduction to his book The Oz Chronicles (volume 1), Chicago, April 1900, that his work, “aspired to being a modernized fairy tale, in which the wonderment and joy are retained and the heartaches and nightmares are left out.”?
One can not help but look to the characters in both book and The Wizard Of Oz 1939 movie to define modern problems – who is the leader, the suppressor, the hero, the proletarian, the victim in the Oz scenario? Easy you say – poor Dorothy and Toto far from home and lost and her Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion all pathetic put upon creatures. Who then are the winners – the rulers in Baum’s story? Can we believe the good witch is the ultimate victor as she is good and beautiful – so obviously filled with grace that we instantly know hers is a happy existence. Likewise, we automatically know that the wicked witch is ugly, mean and jealous – all the characteristics of a deeply unsatisfactory life. The ultimate king pin is of course, the Wizard himself – and yet in the end no more than a pretender – grant it ultimately having a kind heart and rather benign position. Too easy it seems to categorize and delineate by types – there is a two sided view to Oz participants – one simple and obvious and the other very complex and nuanced.
REAL life is also nuanced – what might appear a negative is frequently the best of what life has to offer and things that on the surface are deemed “normal” often turn out to be hiding less than decent motives or even sinister issues. We all know those who declare “life is good” are many times hiding insecurities and their own belated awareness that theirs is a less than exciting and definitely not successful life – a case of “thou protest too much”. For my husband and I it has been dealing with much lesser types who think they can judge us on issues their small minds could NEVER comprehend – usually we are both tolerant of such pretenders but as in OZ, evil must be exposed and thwarted. So it is for many, like us, who face misanthropes that lie for selfish or insecure reasons. Dorothy knew you can not ONLY wish bad away – you must actively and with righteousness pursue justice against those who would deny your rightful due. The famous yellow brick road is actually introduced in Baum’s second book, The Marvelous Land Of Oz. When you doggedly follow your own unique path and deny all challengers on your “yellow brick road” there may be pauses/rest stops needed along the way but determination and the knowledge that you are going in the correct direction will surely lead to the destiny of your dreams. The trick is to never ever ever allow haters to place pot holes on your road home. Often easier said than done but like myself and my wise husband you must be not detoured no matter who is getting in the way.
I was recently informed that a certain [shall we say] delusional type was for some reason fond of the Wizard Of Oz Scarecrow. Well now let me assure you that this particular middle of the middle of the middle person has no idea that Scarecrow’s aliases include Socrates Strawman or that his eventual titles were His Majesty The Scarecrow and Royal Treasurer. True, not many do but for this individual the complex insinuations would leave her stunned. As with many among us, her attempt to be humorous or pointed sadly back fires … in that she does not have a REAL brain nor clue to what is REAL. My friends, colleagues and family almost feel guilty at the gifted chuckles such individuals seem determined to provide us via social media – of course, they have also provided material for attorneys, law enforcement and investigators – the ultimate Shakespearean two sided drama of comedy and drama come to mind. Without a doubt many of my dear readers and followers also face enemies who profess decency but live deceptively and with hatefulness toward others – possibly they have fear born out of their own insecurities and inferiority complexes. Don’t we all have neighbors or colleagues who do the budget travel routine and then fancy themselves sophisticated when in reality they are the ultimate bourgeois tourist/aptly described with the coined phrased “Ugly American” middle class travelers? These folks return to their insular hometown life – typical setting travel photos in hand – falsely secure that they are worldly, when in fact they are insignificant and unchanged despite a trip or two abroad. These types will still and always be what they were as children in middle America”s far too frequently small and narrow minded place. Unlike Dorothy, such deluded individuals, return from their journeys no more aware or informed as when they dine at the local beer joint or chain food neighborhood restaurant. And yet there are others we all know who venture only short distance but somehow gain insight through REAL learning and REAL relationships. It is NOT the so called middle class by income I demean here – instead it is that middle class mentality, which is far too often a danger to REAL progress. What to do when faced with loathsome creatures you ask? Do as Dorothy did and as I/my husband do – persevere in a glorified G-d given life and NEVER allow evil to defeat you. As was Kansas in The Wizard Of Oz so is your ultimate destiny worth the struggle and the battle and as the characters who bonded together to reach the Emerald City – you will bond and find REAL like minded loves and friends and support systems if only you have determination and the will to get to the home place you deserve and desire. You must remember that the scholarly interpretation of that green colored place is illusion based on an insufficient value and that should be the caution for all us of REAL value as we seek our ultimate place of contentment. Do not be as those who delude themselves into thinking theirs is a REAL place – never waver on account of the poseurs – for if you do the miscreants triumph and that would be offensive to G-d!!!
Note: This is a redux/attenuated version of my 2102 essay … some references above now made even more serious due to ongoing situations involving the individuals referenced. With G-d’s grace and the devotion of my wonderful attorney all will be made clear soon … additionally the intentional delayed publications of my first two books until later has made possible a third book in consideration solely based on legal matters referenced. In the mean while, stay tuned and stay in touch dear readers and be very careful for many among us are indeed deranged Oz worshippers!
HeiressMommy™ 
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