Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Folk Tales: The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz depicts the life of Dorothy, and her dog Toto, and the adventures they face to return home after being transported to the magical Land of Oz. During her journey to Emerald City via the yellow brick road, she befriends the Scarecrow, who wants a brain, the Tin Man, who wishes for a heart, and the Cowardly Lion, who needs courage. The desires of each supporting character represent some of the main elements that are important for human survival: 1) the brain –used for cognitive, motor, and involuntary functions, 2) the heart –used for pumping blood and to symbolize the metaphorical sense of emotion, and 3) courage –used for bravery and to face difficulty.

The character of the Scarecrow is made out of straw and lacks the necessity of a brain. If a human was missing a brain, that individual would not be able to perform certain functions needed to live such as breathing. The Tin Man is made entirely out of tin and needs oil for his survival; however, he does not possess a heart which is required for human existence. The heart allows for blood to flow through our bodies and it represents the emotion of love! Lastly, the Cowardly Lion has the body and stature of someone who is not afraid. On the contrary, he does not have the “courage” to go along with being a massive lion. I relate courage to human survival because without it, we would not be able to achieve a lot of the goals we have for ourselves. What would be the point of living if we have nothing to live for in our everyday lives? In closing, the Wizard of Oz relates to the survival of human life by showcasing the foundational requirements a person needs to thrive and live a fruitful life. (David Arocho)

No comments:

Post a Comment