Salman Rushdie's "The Wizard of Oz" - Erica Levy

Salman Rushdie analyzes Victor Fleming’s 1939 film in an essay titled The Wizard of Oz. Specifically, Rushdie conveys his disagreement with one of the film’s most prominent themes: “there’s no place like home.” Rushdie argues that the film is contradictory. Dorothy develops most as a character in The Land of Oz, not in her hometown of Kansas.

Rushdie compares Kansas to The Land of Oz. For example, Kansas is portrayed on film as black and white whereas Oz oozes with color. As a viewer, I generally associate bright colors with happiness, as opposed to eery and ominous dark picture. The Land of Oz immediately appears more glamorous than Kansas. The Land of Oz has an appeal, which Kansas strongly lacks. Additionally, the existence of characters such as the Wizard proves that there is something more alluring, or even magical, about Oz.

Most importantly, The Land of Oz is where Dorothy becomes “independent” and develops most as a character. She is taken out of her home setting and inserted into a foreign land. While navigating Oz without assistance, Dorothy befriends the Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion. However, if Dorothy were home, she would not have been able to experience exploring unfamiliar territory, nor become acquainted with the characters of Oz. 

Ultimately, I concur with Rushdie. The film most stresses the idea of “there’s no place like home” when in fact, the plot of the film argues otherwise. Generally, I believe that it is necessary to escape one’s comfort zone in order to become well-equipped with skills necessary to conquer the hardships of everyday life. In this case, Kansas/home is Dorothy’s comfort zone. How could there be “no place like home” if the Land of Oz is where Dorothy best flourishes? The Land of Oz instills values in Dorothy which she would not have acquired if she hadn’t left Kansas.