Jonathan Middleton: The Wizard of Oz

 The Wizard of Oz is an excellent example of both educational and escapist fantasy and as such has had a profound ability to shape the lives of the individuals who have been told the story. 

Just a few examples of the educational motifs that are prevalent in The Wizard of Oz are the following. In general the story tells you to stay with and have faith in your friends, that you have everything you need to be successful inside, and much more. These are important lessons that everyone should try to learn sooner or later. 

It is much easier and much more enthralling to learn through stories rather than from personal experience however, unfortunately most people do actually take this opportunity to learn and instead choose to eventually learn something the hard way from personal experience. 

The escapism shown in The Wizard of Oz is also quite prevalent as the main character, Dorthy, is transported to another world at a time of great distress along with the reader. Dorthy, in wishing to get away from the tornado that was ravaging her home and her person, found herself transported to the fantastical world of Oz. 

In Oz Dorthy was not only afforded the ability to escape the immediate danger which threatened her life, but also was given the opportunity to learn these valuable lessons that were outlined above. In this situation Dorthy acts as sort of a foil for the reader so imprint on and more personally digest the occurrence's of the fantasy world around them. The lessons that are presented to her are things that she could then take with her back to her home that could be used to shape her own life for the better. 

In this way, Dorthy could use her fantasy world much like how we should use hers as well. Once again, The Wizard of Oz provides a great example of the educational value of fantasy as well as its ability to allow its readers to escape to another world, albeit temporarily. 

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