Mythology is a fascinating subject.  The elders of every culture create stories that explains their view of the world to themselves.  They pass those views and stories on to their descendents and the children incorporate or revise those stories to suit their own world view.  An observant human can trace the changes of a civilization by reviewing the variations in a myth.  As cultures go, the American one is still fairly young and versatile but there are a few stories that have lodged in our national psyche and show signs of becoming a cultural touchstone.  One of the strongest is the children’s classic, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

The Wonderful Wizard is about 114 years old now and has attained a level of popularity that Harry Potter only dreams about.  Between the author and his publishers, more than 40 sequels of the original story were published and another fifty or so accompanying and revisionist novels or comic books have been added to that list.  There are a dozen and a half movie adaptations, about two dozen stage productions and enough material referencing Dorothy Gale’s adventures to sink the Emerald City.  Every generation since its birth has reviewed, amended, attacked and paid homage to L. Frank Baum’s tale.  What is it about this story that gets to us?

First, I think is the character of Dorothy herself.  Although she travels to marvelous places and enjoys the company of fabulous and fascinating creatures, the heroine never sees herself as anything more or less than Dorothy Gale of Kansas, the niece of Henry and Em.  When the Munchkins assume Dorothy is a sorceress, she corrects them and her biggest complaint about the Wizard is his lack of honesty.  Dorothy is not born for great destiny nor does she attain unusual powers as other heroes do.  Dorothy is simply Dorothy and except for the shoes and her cap, she succeeds because of the virtues and sense she got from her prairie home.  Dorothy is the commoner that walks with kings while retaining her populist sense, a virtue America has always cherished.

Of course Kansas is no match for Oz when it comes to beauty.  Baum makes it clear that a pioneering life is hard, hard enough to steal any beauty or joy from Dorothy’s aunt and uncle.  Nevertheless, Kansas is home and Dorothy will meet every challenge to get back there.  The sentiment Baum put in his tale is fervently echoed in the 1939 film.   No matter what Oz has, “there’s no place like home.”   Not, “There’s no place lovelier” or “There’s no place better.”  It is  just that home is unique and there are no substitutes.

Finally, it’s important to note the heroes in The Wonderful Wizard (and its adaptations) all feel they lack something sorely needed.  The scarecrow wants brains, the tin man a heart, the lion wants courage and Dorothy, the way home.   If you look at the parallel novel, Wicked, Elphaba also wants something, the acceptance of family and friends.   Of course Dorothy’s companions already have their resources; they simply can’t recognize these assets without the aid of the wizard’s deception.   Dorothy also has the means to achieve what she wants although she doesn’t learn this until the last.  The silver shoes (or ruby slippers, if you prefer MGM) that carry her feet through Oz can fly her home to Kansas.   Elphaba cannot receive what her family cannot give but her strength develops as she gives herself  the acceptance and approval she sought in them.  Taken in total, these stories suggest that each individual has the needed resources to achieve his or her own goals.  Success depends on whether on that person is willing to put those resources to work.  This is central to the American emphasis on the individual and the belief in a self-controlled destiny.  Beneath the lion’s medal and the ruby slippers you can see the credo of America’s pioneers.

Of course, the successes and failures of future generations will revise and add to our beliefs.  It will be entertaining to see these changes in future returns to Oz, since our interest in the fable shows no signs of waning.  It’s so close to our sub-conscious now, I wonder if we’ll recite it, like poetry.  Sometime in a later age, when students chant the words of this nation, is this how the chorus will run?

Once upon a midnight dreary,
Four score and seven years ago,
Dorothy lived on the great Kansas prairie-
This land was made for you and me.