After Dorothy destroyed the Wicked Witch of the West, though I thought she would go back to the Emerald City as quickly as possible, she informed the Winkies of being released from the Wicked Witch of the West, rescued the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman, got friendly with the Winkies, and enjoyed staying the castle of the Wicked Witch of the West having feasts with them. Then, one day, she remembered Aunt Em...ummm...so...she didn't feel uncomfortable in Oz...why didn't she keep living in Oz? Did she need forcedly to go back to Kansas?
Eventually, the travelers were to go back to the Emerald City. Before they set out, Dorothy hunted out the Witch's cupboard and got the Golden Cap, which could call the Flying Monkeys while she didn't know about its power. How shrewd she was!:)
What I always wonder aoubt is the Scarecrow. Every time after he is ruined, he always got new straws to stuff his body, and he got a new face painted on his head again, then... tada!...he is back again! But..., you know, he changed his everything. How does he keep his personality and memory?;P
Feb 7, 2009
Feb 1, 2009
Chapter12 The Search for the Wicked Witch
This chapter is longer than the others. It describes the time from when Dorothy and her companions set out to seek the Wicked Witch of the West up to the time when they destroy the Witch. Many things happen.
Because the movie's impression is very strong, I cannot imagine the Wicked Witch of the West having any other faces except that green face shown in the movie. However, in the original story written by Baum, there is no mention of her face color. (So, probably, Elphaba in "Wicked" is from the movie's image.) She can see with only one of her eyes, but that eye is so clear-sighted it acts like a telescope, (there is another one-eyed witch who is named Blinkie in "The Scarecrow of Oz", the 9th book of the Oz series. Are there any relationships between the two witches?) And the Witch's blood dried up in her body many years ago....that's all we are told about her.
The reason why the Wicked Witch of the West captured Dorothy and her companions was not because she was Dorothy. The Witch just disliked having a troop intrude in her own territory. She ordered the flying monkeys to bring the Lion to her because she wanted to ride it as a horse, but she didn't care about Dorothy, Toto, the Scarecrow, or the Tin Woodman at all. The flying monkeys weren't able to harm Dorothy because of the charm of the Good Witch of the North, so they brought Dorothy to the Wicked Witch of the West. At that time, for the first time, the Witch realized "Oh my, this child is wearing the magic silver slippers."
In the movie, the Witch's target was Dorothy because she killed her sister, the Wicked Witch of the East....This is confusing! In the original story, there is no mention about any kind of relationship between the two witches, or even if they knew each other or not. I think they at least knew each other's names, though:)
At any rate, isn't it surprising that the Witch of the West was melted by water? (Hey, Witch, are you suger or something?;)) She also couldn't take Dorothy's silver slippers because she feared the dark. She didn't notice that Dorothy secretly gave food to the Lion. Her subjects were only wolves, crows, bees....is that all? She had a magic golden cap which could call the flying monkeys three times, but she had called them three times already. Actually, she doesn't scare me, after I carefully reread everything about her . The Wicked With of the West. The bitch of bitches. (Sorry, rude words!) I wonder if that image is from the movie.
In Oz, nobody can die, but, the Wicked Witch of the East and the Wicked Witch of the West both died. I don't know why:P
Dorothy got angry because the Witch took the other one of the silver slippers, and get more angry because the Witch said "I shall get another one too", and then the anger made her lose her temper, she dashed the water from the nearby bucket onto the Witch. How strong she was!
And then, while she apologized "Sorry, I didn't know you would be melted by water," she dashed the water again over the melting witch to melt her completely, swept her out through the door, and innocently got back her silver slipper back. Can I call her, "strong"? Her indifferent nature is amazing!!:)
Because the movie's impression is very strong, I cannot imagine the Wicked Witch of the West having any other faces except that green face shown in the movie. However, in the original story written by Baum, there is no mention of her face color. (So, probably, Elphaba in "Wicked" is from the movie's image.) She can see with only one of her eyes, but that eye is so clear-sighted it acts like a telescope, (there is another one-eyed witch who is named Blinkie in "The Scarecrow of Oz", the 9th book of the Oz series. Are there any relationships between the two witches?) And the Witch's blood dried up in her body many years ago....that's all we are told about her.
The reason why the Wicked Witch of the West captured Dorothy and her companions was not because she was Dorothy. The Witch just disliked having a troop intrude in her own territory. She ordered the flying monkeys to bring the Lion to her because she wanted to ride it as a horse, but she didn't care about Dorothy, Toto, the Scarecrow, or the Tin Woodman at all. The flying monkeys weren't able to harm Dorothy because of the charm of the Good Witch of the North, so they brought Dorothy to the Wicked Witch of the West. At that time, for the first time, the Witch realized "Oh my, this child is wearing the magic silver slippers."
In the movie, the Witch's target was Dorothy because she killed her sister, the Wicked Witch of the East....This is confusing! In the original story, there is no mention about any kind of relationship between the two witches, or even if they knew each other or not. I think they at least knew each other's names, though:)
At any rate, isn't it surprising that the Witch of the West was melted by water? (Hey, Witch, are you suger or something?;)) She also couldn't take Dorothy's silver slippers because she feared the dark. She didn't notice that Dorothy secretly gave food to the Lion. Her subjects were only wolves, crows, bees....is that all? She had a magic golden cap which could call the flying monkeys three times, but she had called them three times already. Actually, she doesn't scare me, after I carefully reread everything about her . The Wicked With of the West. The bitch of bitches. (Sorry, rude words!) I wonder if that image is from the movie.
In Oz, nobody can die, but, the Wicked Witch of the East and the Wicked Witch of the West both died. I don't know why:P
Dorothy got angry because the Witch took the other one of the silver slippers, and get more angry because the Witch said "I shall get another one too", and then the anger made her lose her temper, she dashed the water from the nearby bucket onto the Witch. How strong she was!
And then, while she apologized "Sorry, I didn't know you would be melted by water," she dashed the water again over the melting witch to melt her completely, swept her out through the door, and innocently got back her silver slipper back. Can I call her, "strong"? Her indifferent nature is amazing!!:)
Chapter11 The Wonderful Emerald City of Oz
Finally, the time has come. They meet the Great Wizard of Oz.
The Great Wizard of Oz seems not to have known that Dorothy's house had fallen on the Wicked Witch of the East, killing her. He asked Dorothy how she got the silver slippers and the charm kiss from the Good Witch of the North. I thought he knew everything, but actually, he doesn't.:(
However, this was great that he made each of the four of them meet him privately, and every time, his appearance was different. It showed them (and us) how great the Great Wizard was. Super!
What I have been curious and skeptical of for long time is this; the Great Wizard of Oz asked each person "Why should I this for you?" Why?...such a thing...do you ask someone if you are a ruler? In the end, the story goes that if they want to ask the Wizard a favor, they should kill the Wicked Witch of the West first. Well, I expected something like "If you can kill the Witch, I would recognize that you would be worth of using my magic power as a reward for your effort." But the Wizard said only "Help me and I'll help you." This is nothing but "give and take." He doesn't seem to think he should care for his subjects because he has magic power. Fifty-fifty relationship. Ummm...is this, maybe, very American??
By the way, Mr. Scarecrow! You didn't need to stand still in the corner of the room allocated until the meeting to the Wizard, watching the spider weaving their net all night, even though I know you don't need to sleep at all. Don't you have anything else to do?;)
Dorothy seemed thoughtless in the previous chapters, but, in this chapter, she mentioned her opinion, "I don't want to kill anybody, even to see Aunt Em again." Ummm...but if she doesn't kill the Wicked Witch of the West... that means she could never go back to Kansas forever...this is a tough question, isn't it? If I were her?? Oz is a wonderful place, but I feel uncomfortable thinking of living in Oz for the rest of my life...but...ummm....what would you do if you were Dorothy?
Well, before thinking that, I'd like to say to Dorothy, "Your first worry should be about being killed by the Witch at first!" She isn't afraid of it at all:p Maybe, she believed in the strength of the charm from the Good Witch of the North:)
The Great Wizard of Oz seems not to have known that Dorothy's house had fallen on the Wicked Witch of the East, killing her. He asked Dorothy how she got the silver slippers and the charm kiss from the Good Witch of the North. I thought he knew everything, but actually, he doesn't.:(
However, this was great that he made each of the four of them meet him privately, and every time, his appearance was different. It showed them (and us) how great the Great Wizard was. Super!
What I have been curious and skeptical of for long time is this; the Great Wizard of Oz asked each person "Why should I this for you?" Why?...such a thing...do you ask someone if you are a ruler? In the end, the story goes that if they want to ask the Wizard a favor, they should kill the Wicked Witch of the West first. Well, I expected something like "If you can kill the Witch, I would recognize that you would be worth of using my magic power as a reward for your effort." But the Wizard said only "Help me and I'll help you." This is nothing but "give and take." He doesn't seem to think he should care for his subjects because he has magic power. Fifty-fifty relationship. Ummm...is this, maybe, very American??
By the way, Mr. Scarecrow! You didn't need to stand still in the corner of the room allocated until the meeting to the Wizard, watching the spider weaving their net all night, even though I know you don't need to sleep at all. Don't you have anything else to do?;)
Dorothy seemed thoughtless in the previous chapters, but, in this chapter, she mentioned her opinion, "I don't want to kill anybody, even to see Aunt Em again." Ummm...but if she doesn't kill the Wicked Witch of the West... that means she could never go back to Kansas forever...this is a tough question, isn't it? If I were her?? Oz is a wonderful place, but I feel uncomfortable thinking of living in Oz for the rest of my life...but...ummm....what would you do if you were Dorothy?
Well, before thinking that, I'd like to say to Dorothy, "Your first worry should be about being killed by the Witch at first!" She isn't afraid of it at all:p Maybe, she believed in the strength of the charm from the Good Witch of the North:)
Jan 18, 2009
Chapter10 The Guardian of the Gate
The Lion was surprised to find out he was rescued by the mice. (Come to think of it, in Aesop's fables, there is a story in which a lion is rescued by a mouse:))
Well, well, here again, Dorothy's daring (or innocence, or thoughtlessness ...)appeared. Because they have no food and they feel hungry, she suggests "OK, so, let's ask the people at the next house." What would you do if a strange girl with a big lion asked you to stay at your house overnight? But eventually, they complied with Dorothy's request...ummm...that's because of Dorothy's virtue?:)
The husband of this house has an injured leg. Why was this necessary?...I don't think the story needs it. And there is no explanation why or when he got injured. I wonder why he should have been injured. And that person, with a knowing air, said "The Great Wizard of Oz will very easily give you a brain, a heart and bravery." By golly....He seems to be friendly and kind, but irresponsible.
And one more thing I'd like to say about this chapter is that the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman keep standing in the corner of the room during the night. If I were Dorothy, I could not sleep very well if someone were to stand by me all night. I'd like them to stand outside the room. Don't you think so?
In the meantime, they arrived at the gate of the Emerald City. They were given green glasses by the gate guard, and entered the capital of Oz.
Well, well, here again, Dorothy's daring (or innocence, or thoughtlessness ...)appeared. Because they have no food and they feel hungry, she suggests "OK, so, let's ask the people at the next house." What would you do if a strange girl with a big lion asked you to stay at your house overnight? But eventually, they complied with Dorothy's request...ummm...that's because of Dorothy's virtue?:)
The husband of this house has an injured leg. Why was this necessary?...I don't think the story needs it. And there is no explanation why or when he got injured. I wonder why he should have been injured. And that person, with a knowing air, said "The Great Wizard of Oz will very easily give you a brain, a heart and bravery." By golly....He seems to be friendly and kind, but irresponsible.
And one more thing I'd like to say about this chapter is that the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman keep standing in the corner of the room during the night. If I were Dorothy, I could not sleep very well if someone were to stand by me all night. I'd like them to stand outside the room. Don't you think so?
In the meantime, they arrived at the gate of the Emerald City. They were given green glasses by the gate guard, and entered the capital of Oz.
Chapter9 The Queen of the Field Mice
What does "a person has a heart" mean? Judging from the Tin Woodman's behaviors, it seems like weepy or kind....but the other companions are kind too...only the Tin Woodman emphasizes heart, heart, heart! If no heart expresses no feelings, a heart expresses having various feelings, doesn't it? But it isn't indicated in this story at all. Well, it's OK though.
At the beginning of this chapter, the Woodman chopped off the lynx's head without any hesitations. Is that OK for you, Tin Woodman?:P
But here again, his skill as a woodman was clearlt shown to us. He made Wagon's bed, wheels, and even nails from nearby trees. How great!
The queen of the mice is tiny but her pride is very strong. And her ability as a leader is commensurate with her pride. If they should stay in the poppy field much longer, all of the mice would be in danger....she never forgets about her mice.
Anyway, Toto fought against his instinct very well.
At the beginning of this chapter, the Woodman chopped off the lynx's head without any hesitations. Is that OK for you, Tin Woodman?:P
But here again, his skill as a woodman was clearlt shown to us. He made Wagon's bed, wheels, and even nails from nearby trees. How great!
The queen of the mice is tiny but her pride is very strong. And her ability as a leader is commensurate with her pride. If they should stay in the poppy field much longer, all of the mice would be in danger....she never forgets about her mice.
Anyway, Toto fought against his instinct very well.
Chapter7 The Journey to the Great Oz
The three companions did a great job in this chapter!
The scene where the Scarecrow had difficulty picking up nuts, it reminded me of a book which I read in the hospital the other day. It said, "Human beings can easily use their fingers to do things because we have nails on our finger's tips. If we wear gloves with cottons stuffed into each finger tips, we could not grasp things. Try it! You'll find how important nails are." I've never done it, but I can easily imagine that it is true. After all, the Scarecrow should use his brain instead of his body.
The Lion was so cool! He jumped over the sheer cliff, and protected his friends from Kalidah by using his body as a shield. How can I say he is a coward?! In peacetime, people can say anything, but when it comes to the crunch, what do they do? Lion, you are brave!
Of course, there was also a scene that expressed the Tin Woodman's tenderness...but what I focused on him in this chapter was his skill as a woodman. No matter how nice a person's personality is, if the person does sloppy work, I'd say just,"...ummm...", but the Tin Woodman did a great job when he chopped down trees, and made the raft. He must have faithfully worked hard at his job in the wood in Munchikin land. I had thought that he was a wimp who was only kind or tender, but I've changed my mind. He must be a nice guy who took care of his parents and worked diligently.
The scene where the Scarecrow had difficulty picking up nuts, it reminded me of a book which I read in the hospital the other day. It said, "Human beings can easily use their fingers to do things because we have nails on our finger's tips. If we wear gloves with cottons stuffed into each finger tips, we could not grasp things. Try it! You'll find how important nails are." I've never done it, but I can easily imagine that it is true. After all, the Scarecrow should use his brain instead of his body.
The Lion was so cool! He jumped over the sheer cliff, and protected his friends from Kalidah by using his body as a shield. How can I say he is a coward?! In peacetime, people can say anything, but when it comes to the crunch, what do they do? Lion, you are brave!
Of course, there was also a scene that expressed the Tin Woodman's tenderness...but what I focused on him in this chapter was his skill as a woodman. No matter how nice a person's personality is, if the person does sloppy work, I'd say just,"...ummm...", but the Tin Woodman did a great job when he chopped down trees, and made the raft. He must have faithfully worked hard at his job in the wood in Munchikin land. I had thought that he was a wimp who was only kind or tender, but I've changed my mind. He must be a nice guy who took care of his parents and worked diligently.
Chapter8 The Deadly Poppy Field
Troubles happened one after another. The Scarecrow was left behind alone, the Lion was abandoned by his companions. In every case, Dorothy seems not very helpful. Or ...rather, a drag?:P Why do they esteem her so highly? Because she told them about the Great Wizard of Oz? Is that it? Information seems to be very important, all through the ages, doesn't it?;)
I feel uncomfortable when the Tin Woodman keeps on saying "I am about to shed tears when I think of ****, but I have to stand it not to rust myself." Of course, that indicates the existence of his heart to us, though, I'd like to retort "What are hearts for? Only for that?" And eventually, he cares his body most:(
By the way, there was a stork who helped the Scarecrow after he was left behind alone in the river. Why should it be "a stork"? I don't understand. Do storks have some special meaning? I know the lore "Babies are brought by storks." But why here?
I didn't know poppies really have a narcotic effect on people. And I've learned from the Internet that red poppies are a symbol of fallen soldiers in some countries. Does "poppy field" include that message? ...No, that happened after World War I, so, there is no relation between them.
I feel uncomfortable when the Tin Woodman keeps on saying "I am about to shed tears when I think of ****, but I have to stand it not to rust myself." Of course, that indicates the existence of his heart to us, though, I'd like to retort "What are hearts for? Only for that?" And eventually, he cares his body most:(
By the way, there was a stork who helped the Scarecrow after he was left behind alone in the river. Why should it be "a stork"? I don't understand. Do storks have some special meaning? I know the lore "Babies are brought by storks." But why here?
I didn't know poppies really have a narcotic effect on people. And I've learned from the Internet that red poppies are a symbol of fallen soldiers in some countries. Does "poppy field" include that message? ...No, that happened after World War I, so, there is no relation between them.
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