The Wizard of Oz

The tale unfolds in a period reminiscent of rural American life before modern conveniences, with the tornado triggering a jump into a timeless fantasy realm. The human world of Dorothy contrasts with Oz's technicolor dreams, suggesting a fairy-tale stage within an early cinema era. The time frame grounds the adventure as a classic coming-of-age journey.

The story begins on a farm in Kansas, a rural heartland that represents ordinary life. Dorothy's world suddenly shifts when a tornado lifts her house into the magical Land of Oz. From there, iconic locales like Munchkin country and the Emerald City frame a vivid fantasy journey, with the Winkie region as part of the adventure before Dorothy's return.

🤝 Friendship

Dorothy forms a close bond with the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion as they share goals and rely on each other's strengths. The group learns to trust one another through shared challenges, from river crossings to battles with the Witch's forces. Their camaraderie becomes the true engine that helps them navigate Oz.

🏠 Home

Dorothy's longing to return to Kansas frames the entire journey; the ruby slippers symbolize a path back, but the story also reveals that 'home' is found in who you are and the friends you make. The quest shifts from physical return to emotional belonging. In the end, homecoming is both a place and a state of heart.

🧭 Self-Discovery

Each traveler seeks something they believe they lack—brains, heart, or courage—and discovers they already possess it. The Wizard's revelations unsettle the illusion of power, highlighting inner strengths over external marks. Oz becomes a mirror that shows them what they needed was inside all along.

🦁 Courage

The Cowardly Lion embodies the film's core question: what does it mean to be courageous? Through trials and dangers, he and the others face fear, risking themselves for Dorothy and the group. The journey demonstrates that bravery is practiced through action, not simply felt.