The Wizard of Oz and Philosophy: Wicked Wisdom of the West (Popular Culture and Philosophy, 37)

From the bedtime story by L. Frank Baum to the classic 1939 film, no story has captured the imaginations of generations of children — and adults — like The Wizard of Oz. The story of Dorothy’s journey through Oz, the colorful characters, places, songs, and dialogue have permeated popular culture around the world. The contributors to this volume take a very close look at The Wizard of Oz and ask the tough questions about this wonderful tale. They wonder if someone can possess a virtue without knowing it, and if the realm of Oz was really the dream or if Kansas was the dream. Why does water melt the Wicked Witch of the West and why does Toto seem to know what the other characters can’t seem to figure out? The articles included tackle these compelling questions and more, encouraging readers to have discussions of their own. Essays Explore Philosophical Themes In The Wizard Of Oz Saga, Comprising The Books By L. Frank Baum, The 1939 Film, The Novel Wicked, And Related Films And Plays--provided By Publisher. Somewhere Over The Rainbow: A Moral Odyssey / Luke Dick -- The Virtues Of The Wizard Of Oz / Corey Mccall And Randall E. Auxier -- Very Good, But Not So Mysterious: Hegel, Rushdie, And The Dialectics Of Oz / Gina Altamura And J.m. Fritzman -- Freeing The Slaves In Oz / Jason Bell And Jessica Bell -- When The Wiz Goes Black, Does It Ever Go Back? / Tommy J. Curry -- Oz Never Did Give Nothing To The Tin Man / Michael F. Patton, Jr. -- Pay No Attention To That Man Behind The Curtain! / Mark D. Tschaepe -- I'm Melting! Melting! / Randall E. Auxier -- Off To See The Wizard: The Romantic Eschatology Of The Wizard Of Oz / James Mclachlan -- The Wonderful Smallness Of Evil In The Oz / George A. Dunn -- The Possible World Of Oz / Randall E. Auxier -- Dude, When Did Pink Floyd Write A Soundtrack For The Wizard Of Oz? / Phillip S. Seng -- Lions And Tigers And Bears: A Phenomenology Of Scary Stuff / Randall E. Auxier -- Coloring Kansas: Reality By Way Of Appearance / Matthew Caleb Flamm And Jennifer A. Rea -- A Sort Of Homecoming: Growing Up With Dorothy / Phillip S. Seng -- Should Dorothy Have Stayed In Oz? / Steve Bickham -- There's No Place Like Home: Dorothy Gale's Relations / Aaron Fortune -- Wicked Feminism / Pam R. Sailors -- I'm Not That Girl / Richard Greene -- Wicked? It's Not Easy Being Green / Kevin Durand -- In The Merry Old Matriarchy Of Oz / Randall E. Auxier. Edited By Randall E. Auxier And Phillip S. Seng. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.