The Allegory of the Trip on the Yellow Brick Road
The Wizard of Oz is a timeless classic that has captured the hearts and imaginations of people for generations. While it is an enchanting story on its own, many literary scholars believe that it is also an allegory for deeper themes and ideas.
One such allegory is the journey of Dorothy and her companions along the yellow brick road to meet the Wizard of Oz. In this article, we will explore what this allegory means and how it relates to our lives.
The Journey Begins
At the start of the story, Dorothy finds herself in a strange land far from home. She meets three companions, each with their unique problems – a scarecrow who desires a brain, a tin man who wants a heart, and a cowardly lion in search of courage. Together they embark on a journey to see the Wizard of Oz, who they believe can help them solve their problems.
This journey can be seen as an allegory for our personal journeys in life. We all have our unique problems that we seek to overcome or improve upon. The yellow brick road symbolizes the path that we must take to achieve these goals.
The Obstacles and Challenges
Along their journey, Dorothy and her companions encounter various obstacles and challenges such as facing flying monkeys, navigating through dark forests, and crossing deadly poppy fields. These obstacles represent the challenges that we face in our lives as we pursue our goals.
The Wicked Witch of the West is another obstacle that they encounter on their journey. She represents fear or negativity that holds us back from achieving our dreams.
The Power Within
As Dorothy and her friends approach Emerald City where they hope to meet the Wizard of Oz, they realize that they already possess what they have been seeking all along – intelligence, compassion, bravery. They discover that these qualities were already within them, and they did not need the wizard’s help to achieve their goals.
This realization is an allegory for the power within us. We have all the qualities we need to achieve our goals, and we do not need external validation or help to find them.
The Journey Back Home
After their journey, Dorothy and her companions return home. The experience changes them, and they now see things differently. This return journey can be seen as an allegory for returning to our true selves after overcoming challenges and discovering our inner strength.
In conclusion, the Allegory of the Trip on the Yellow Brick Road is a powerful representation of our personal journeys in life. It teaches us that we must face obstacles and challenges along the way to grow and discover our inner strength. We must remember that all the qualities we need are already within us, and we should never give up on our dreams no matter how difficult they may seem.