The Wizard of Oz and its Shapes

Salman Rushdie’s, The Wizard of Oz, discusses unique aspects of the film, a film that has inspired generations. One aspect of Rushdie’s interpretation that I found particularly interesting was his focus on shapes and images. Rushdie points out that in the film good is associated with geometric and structured images. Evil is shown with chaotic shapes and strangeness. The farmhouse where Dorothy lives is very geometric with little complexity. Even the path that Dorothy must follow to see the wizard is very set and not chaotic. The simplicity of sameness is seen with all the good in Oz. Chaos associated with evil can first be seen with the tornado in Kansas. This is the first time in the film where we are presented with a truly complicated image that we know is going to bring pain. This difference in shape allows us to see a clear contrast between good and evil. The difference is seen again in the portraying of the good and bad witches. The good witch Glenda comes on screen in a simple bubble that is uncomplicated. The Wicked Witch of the west arrives in a cloud of fire and smoke. She also has a castle that is full of different complicated structures. Goodness in the film is simple and evil is complicated. This leads me to think that the wicked witch has more depth to her. She has more of a chip on her shoulder and has layers. I am more interested in learning about her life than Glenda’s. The audience can sympathize more the Wicked Witch then Glenda.