Re: 40 LexiLine Newsletter How Old are the Baltic Languages? - Academia, Humanity and the Wizard of Oz - LexiLine Journal 291

Regarding the Wizard of Oz, Andreas Szabo <silva@psi5.com> asks:

Andis Kaulins wrote:

> As in the Wizard of Oz, the world seems to operate under the
> principle that you need a "paper" (documents - or paper money - will
> do) attesting to your capabilities - but issued by whom? Without such
> a paper, your thoughts are not worth discussing - that is the modern
> world.

What scene or chapter where?

The film "Wizard of Oz" is based on a book by L. Frank Baum
see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0060293233/

Take a look at this website about the Wizard of Oz which explains everything regarding brains and diplomas, courage and medals, and good-heartedness and testimonials:
http://www.filmsite.org/wiza5.html

That website contains quotes from the film (1939) - where the Wizard of Oz is performing his three - and only - miracles in the film:

[1. The brainless straw Scarecrow gets a brain - quoting the Wizard of
Oz]

"Why, anybody can have a brain. That's a very mediocre commodity. Every pusillanimous creature that crawls on the Earth or slinks through slimy seas has a brain. Back where I come from, we have universities, seats of great learning, where men go to become great thinkers. And when they come out, they think deep thoughts and with no more brains than you have! But they have one thing you haven't got - a diploma. Therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Universitatus Committeatum E Pluribus Unum, I hereby confer upon you the honorary degree of Th. D...that's Doctor of Thinkology."

[2. The cowardly Lion gets a medal - quoting the Wizard of Oz]

"As for you, my fine friend, you're a victim of disorganized thinking. You are under the unfortunate delusion that simply because you run away from danger you have no courage. You're confusing courage with wisdom. Back where I come from, we have men who are called heroes. Once a year, they take their fortitude out of moth balls and parade it down the main street of the city and they have no more courage than you have. But they have one thing that you haven't got - a medal. Therefore, for meritorious conduct, extraordinary valor, conspicuous bravery against Wicked Witches, I award you the Triple Cross. You are now a member of the Legion of Courage."

[3. The tin man lacks a heart and is given a loudly ticking clock hanging on a golden chain - quoting the Wizard of Oz]

"Back where I come from, there are men who do nothing all day but good deeds. They are called phila-, er, er, philanth-er, yes, er, good-deed doers, and their hearts are no bigger than yours. But they have one thing you haven't got - a testimonial. Therefore, in consideration of your kindness, I take pleasure at this time in presenting you with a small token of our esteem and affection. And remember, my sentimental friend, that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others."

Many educated people think that the Wizard of Oz is for children only.

They do not realize that what children love about the Wizard of Oz is his understanding of much of the adult world, for which the brainless scarecrow, the cowardly lion and the heartless tin man are metaphoric symbols.

Enjoy,

Andis