Introduction
MGM Studios presented the world premiere of The Wizard of Oz on August 12, 1939. The film was adapted from L. Frank Baum’s classic novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Even after so many years, it continues to be one of the movies that is liked the most and is seen the most frequently. This movie has a timeless appeal because of Judy Garland’s legendary performance as Dorothy, as well as its magnificent Technicolor image of Oz and a plot that concurrently reflects enduring American values. Both of these factors contribute to the film’s success.
The Wizard of Oz Storyline
- In the novel “The Wizard of Oz,” Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, and the Lion can vanquish the Wicked Witch of the West and make their way back to the Emerald City. The Great Wizard has guaranteed that all of their requests would be granted if they are successful in defeating the witch. Dorothy has high aspirations of going back to Kansas, while the Tin Man longs for a heart, the Lion yearns for courage, and the Scarecrow yearns for brains.
- Dorothy and her companions begged the Wizard to keep his word and fulfill his promise while they cower in fear before his thundering voice. On the other hand, the curtain gives way by accident. The Wizard is revealed to be a short, elderly man who is shouting into a megaphone while feverishly pushing at levers. It’s all just a bunch of smoke and mirrors. The Wizard had an epiphany and understands that his lie has been exposed. He claims that he is not a horrible person but rather an awful wizard.
- However, Dorothy’s friends encourage that the Wizard should honor his promise. The Scarecrow receives a clock, the Tin Man receives a certificate, and the Lion receives medals from the Wizard. He is a smart individual who understands that human traits such as brains, hearts, and courage cannot be manufactured. As a result, he symbolically presents his gifts. By doing so, he is acknowledging that, despite the difficulties they have faced, the answers to the questions Dorothy’s traveling companions have been searching for have always been within themselves. During their journeys, the Scarecrow impressively demonstrated his intelligence, the Tin Man demonstrated his heart, and the Lion demonstrated his bravery. Not being aware that the presents are merely symbolic of something else.
Lessons from The Wizard of Oz That We Can Teach to Children
Do Not Give Up
- Dorothy never gave up on her quest to return home, even though the Wicked Witch of the West had dispatched flying monkeys in pursuit of her. Follow your yellow brick road even when the going gets tough, and you will be successful in overcoming the challenges you face.
- People are hardwired to chase after their goals and ambitions, to push themselves further than they thought they could go, to dream big, and then work hard to make those dreams come true. This is how we can progress and develop as individuals over time. On the other hand, the way isn’t always clear, and several roadblocks may occur, which may cause us to feel like giving up and walking away. Because of this, it is imperative that you instill in your children the value of never giving up, so that they can, despite the obstacles they face, find the joy that they seek and realize their definition of success.
- Teaching a child to have high self-esteem and self-confidence is essential if we want them to persist in whatever endeavor they do, whether it be an academic assignment, a mental challenge, or a sport. In the movie, Dorothy and her friends needed to keep going even when things got difficult. Children may develop a sense of helplessness and an inability to accomplish goals on their own if they are overprotected.
Sometimes All You Need Is a Little Assistance from Friends
- Without the help of the scarecrow, the tin man, and the cowardly lion, Dorothy would not have been able to accomplish her mission of locating the wizard. They had all brought something unique and essential to the effort, which was necessary to reach the wizard. True friends never require or anticipate receiving anything in exchange for their relationship. They appreciate you for being who you are, and they anticipate receiving the same treatment in return.
- Having supportive friends can be an effective antidote to both stress and depression. Being in the company of our good friends helps us forget about our problems and relieves us of any unnecessary pressure. In addition, we can candidly ask our friends for advice on how to address our issues, and they will be happy to assist whenever they can. It is not always simple to form or keep friendships, even though doing so can have a significant positive effect on our health and overall well-being.
- It is critical that you educate children on the significance of friendships in their lives as well as the steps they may take to cultivate and maintain these relationships. Children benefit emotionally and morally from having friends as they grow up. Children acquire a wide variety of social skills through their interactions with their peers, including communication, cooperation, and problem-solving abilities.
There Is No Place Like Home
- Dorothy discovers a place where she may escape the challenges that she faces daily to satisfy her need for something superior to what she already possesses, which includes an affectionate family, a productive farm, an adorable small dog, and a disagreeable neighbor. But she quickly discovers that by fleeing to the country of Oz, she has opened herself up to even greater perils, such as witches, winged monkeys, and deadly poppies, among other threats. Sometimes it takes something going wrong for us to appreciate what we already have and how great it is.
It is Okay to Be Unique
- Dorothy and the three companions she picked up on the trip to meet the wizard all had unique personalities and characteristics. Their unique perspectives helped them collaborate during their travels and ultimately lead them to the wizard. It is feasible to conclude that The Wizard of Oz emphasizes the significance of being genuine, much in the same way that it demonstrates to us that first impressions aren’t always accurate. This tale demonstrates how significant it is to behave authentically, to be loyal to our inner selves, and to avoid pretending to be somebody that we are not.
- We are all unique individuals who cannot be compared to one another in any way, including our appearance, behavior, and the activities that we enjoy doing. Your children may be unique compared to their other friends. It’s possible that they are not the same as them. However, they can teach one another new skills and knowledge, such as how to do a cartwheel, make a delicious meal, or speak a foreign language. You may believe that other people don’t like us because of our unique qualities. It is not acceptable for other individuals to make us feel inferior because we are unique. Always keep in mind that true friends will accept you for who you are.
Having Patience
- Along the way to the Emerald City, Dorothy, and her companions are met with several challenges and obstacles. Despite this, this girl and her friends never give up the fight. She exemplifies the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and making choices that get us closer to achieving our objectives.
- We can achieve peace and relaxation through patience. It helps to relieve tension in situations that might otherwise be difficult. You’ll find the inner fortitude you need to be able to better deal with the obstacles of everyday life if you can learn how to be more patient. To acquire the skill of patience, one must first get an understanding of the concept of patience itself. The capacity to wait is at the heart of what we mean when we talk about patience. It is the period of endurance that we are required to muster while trying situations. And if we are unable to, then pessimism begins to take hold. In many circumstances, it requires more bravery to maintain composure and patience than it does to act hastily.
Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover
- It is very typical for us to have many preconceived notions about other people and to be fooled by the first impression that they create on us in the course of our daily lives. Nevertheless, everyone goes through their lives experiencing unique processes, complete with a unique set of dreams, anxieties, qualities, and imperfections. As a result, it is essential to avoid being biased and to avoid allowing oneself to be guided by preconceived notions. In the movie, a lion that initially appears to be angry and brave turns out to be terrified throughout the course of the story. Every person has a distinct way of being, and we must take the time to get to know them and get their perspective.
- When you judge someone, you are revealing more about yourself than about the person you are judging. The ability to judge is innate. One can, however, prevent their critical words and ideas from hurting others. Despite our best attempts, we all evaluate other people, and it may be over rather insignificant things. It can be challenging to change the way you think, even though having a mindset that is critical or judgmental can put a strain on both professional and personal relationships. However, it will take time and effort to successfully teach your children to be less judgmental and critical of others.
Take Good Care of Your Relationships
- The significance of having good friends is one of the most important life lessons that may be learned from “The Wizard of Oz.” The people that Dorothy encounters along the road have a significant impact on both her journey and the adventures that she has. They began to know each other as friends and assisted one another. In this manner, the movie imparts knowledge regarding the significance of friendship as well as the significance of building relationships of this kind.
- It is not always simple to form or keep friendships, even though doing so can have a significant positive effect on your child’s overall health and well-being. Encourage them to get an understanding of the significance of social connection in their life as well as the steps they can take to establish and maintain long-lasting friendships. Having supportive friends might be beneficial to your health. Friends are there to help you celebrate the good times and are there to support you through difficult times. Friends not only prevent feelings of isolation and loneliness but also provide you the opportunity to provide needed companionship.
What You’re Seeking is Already Inside of You
- The enlightening message that can be extracted from this wonderful movie is that hidden potential exists within every one of us. All three of these characters, the scarecrow, the lion, and the tin man, have low self-esteem. In addition, they are looking for another person, specifically the magician, to help them solve their difficulties. On the other hand, the narrative demonstrates that each individual has the resources necessary to achieve success and realize their ambitions. When trying to find a solution to a problem, it often helps to have a healthy amount of self-esteem and belief in oneself. One may also draw a parallel between this and the significance of taking care of one’s mental health in modern times.
- Dorothy’s self-confidence and feeling of purpose are bolstered by the completion of even the most insignificant of her journey’s milestones. In the end, her self-assurance is what propels her toward the accomplishment of her goals. The ability to believe in oneself is connected to practically every factor that contributes to a happy existence. The more self-assured you become, the more you’ll be able to quiet the voice in your head that tells you, “I’m not capable of doing this”.
Some Things Can Only Be Learned Through Experience
In the movie, Glinda doesn’t tell Dorothy she doesn’t need those coveted slippers until the very end of the movie, but it’s very evident that Dorothy’s journey is what led her to believe it in the first place. Learning by doing, commonly referred to as experiential learning, is a challenging method of education that is highly effective. Learning through experience is a model that can help your children develop skills and obtain knowledge to help them succeed in life. One such model is learning by experience. It can assist them in determining what course of action they would be interested in doing and how to go about doing so.
Follow Your Dreams
- Dorothy and her traveling companions were all working toward various objectives: the scarecrow wanted to go back to work, the lion was searching for the strength to face his fears, the tin man desired to experience genuine passion, and Dorothy’s primary objective was to return home. But every one of those people had an unwavering dedication to accomplishing their objective, and as a result, they were successful.
- It is essential to always follow your heart and pursue the things that make your heart happy in life. Keep in mind that it is your life. Not anyone else’s life. It’s important to be content with the life you’ve chosen to lead at the end of the day. You can alter the path that your life is on, and you shouldn’t delegate that authority to anyone else because you have that ability. Some individuals may have the impression that they know what’s best for them, even if they don’t. And there are those people who may sincerely feel that they do, and they may have your best interests in mind. However, at the end of the day, they are not you. They have never spent a single day in your body, experiencing your ideas, feelings, and everything else that makes up your mind and your life. So have faith in yourself and go after the things you most desire.
Conclusion
After gaining this newfound knowledge about the lessons that may be learned from The Wizard of Oz, you will most likely want to watch the film with your loved ones.