In L. Frank Baum’s original book, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” the Wizard’s calm and solitary lifestyle is completely upended when Dorothy and her three friends show up and request an audience. He tries to ignore her but soon realizes she won’t take “No” for an answer.
Eventually he promises to help her, but only on condition that she first slay the powerful Wicked Witch of the West. Remarkably and unexpectedly, she returns in triumph and insists on payment: Brains for the Scarecrow, a heart for the Tinman, courage for the Lion, and a ride home for herself.
He manages to convince Dorothy’s friends that he has given them their requests, as promised. They are completely happy with the results. Then, in a brief moment of self-reflection, the Wizard says to himself, “How can I help being a humbug when all these people make me do things that everybody knows can’t be done.”
Some things you just can’t fake
Dorothy is a different kind of problem. You can fake brains, caring, and courage, but you can’t fake a trip back to Kansas. The Wizard has no way to get her home. In desperation, he concocts a plan to fly over the Poisonous Desert and back to Kansas in a hot air balloon. Dorothy gets left behind and the Wizard is filled with regret over his failure to help the little girl.
Redemption is tricky
Throughout the original Wizard of Oz series, we see hints that the Wizard does feel bad about how he has acted…and we discover that he has done some terrible things as King of Oz. Nevertheless, he does seem to make some progress towards being a better man. He admits some of his misdeeds and apologizes, yet we are left to wonder if he has really changed.
In my new book, “The Lost Wizard of Oz,” we see the Wizard struggling with his own character flaws as he is thrown into a dangerous situation in which he will have to survive by his wits and natural cunning. It turns out that being a conniving little conman has its advantages.
The Hidden Message in the Balloon’s Departure
The Wizard’s sketchy balloon plan represents his own doubtful character. He hopes to float above his troubles and find the easy path back home. This is contrasted with Dorothy’s journey in which she learns the importance of courage, friendship, and hard work.
In “The Lost Wizard of Oz” the Wizard will need to learn this in order to survive.
