Celebrating 125 Years of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: A Feminist Legacy
As The Wonderful Wizard of Oz marks its 125th anniversary, the iconic children’s novel by L. Frank Baum continues to resonate with themes of good versus evil, friendship, belonging, and acceptance. However, beneath its colorful surface, the novel unveils a profound narrative woven with early feminist ideals—an aspect that becomes increasingly evident through an examination of Baum’s life and influences.
The Powerful Women of Oz
Michael Patrick Hearn, author of The Annotated Wizard of Oz, points out that the novel’s true power lies with its witches—women who are depicted as the mightiest figures in Baum’s fantastical landscape. This assertion is further echoed by Evan Schwartz, author of Finding Oz, who emphasizes Baum’s progressive stance during a period when women were largely marginalized. His commitment to women’s rights culminated in his presidency at the Aberdeen Suffrage Society, where he championed the call for women to secure the right to vote.
Matilda Joslyn Gage: The Feminist Influence
To understand Baum’s feminist inclinations, one must turn to Matilda Joslyn Gage, his mother-in-law, who was a driving force in the women’s suffrage movement. Gage, a prominent 19th-century feminist, not only influenced Baum’s literary works but also shared vital philosophies about gender equality and matriarchal societies. According to Hearn, it was Gage who encouraged Baum to craft the fanciful tales that he narrated to her grandchildren. Elements such as Dorothy’s character reflect Gage’s progressive ideals—illustrating a young girl who embodies strength, bravery, and a sense of leadership typically associated with men.
Feminine Leadership in Oz
Dina Massachi, an Oz scholar, underscores how Dorothy’s character can be seen as a representation of feminine leadership. She’s not only a central figure who-slays witches but also someone who manages to free others while still holding onto her traditional duties, as seen in her return home for dinner. Massachi points out that this dynamic resonates with the idea of women as pioneers in their own right.
Gage’s Contributions to Feminism
Matilda Gage fought alongside well-known suffragists like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Besides her work in women’s rights, Gage’s writings, particularly her 1893 book Women, Church and State, focused on women accused of witchcraft, portraying them as some of the “most advanced thinkers of the Christian ages.” This notion paved the way for Baum’s portrayal of witches as wise women, illustrating the duality of their moral standings based on their choices and actions.
The Underrated Influence of Indigenous Culture
Gage’s respect for the Haudenosaunee culture—known for its matrilineal structure—also seeped into Baum’s portrayal of women. Eaton, executive director of the Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation, notes that Gage admired the societal roles women held within Indigenous communities, having been even adopted into the Mohawk nation, where she was invited to vote. This profound understanding of equality influenced both Gage and Baum, effectively informing the utopian society ruled by women in Oz—symbolized by characters like Glinda and Ozma.
The Contradictory Legacy
However, Baum’s legacy is not without its contradictions. His progressive views were marred by a troubling history concerning Indigenous peoples. A decade before the publication of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Baum penned editorials advocating for the extermination of Native Americans during a troubling period marked by fear and starvation. This dark chapter contrasts sharply with the feminist ideals he espoused in his fiction, leaving a complex legacy that is essential to acknowledge.
A Modern Reflection on History
Gita Dorothy Morena, Baum’s great-granddaughter, has openly wrestled with her ancestor’s troubling past while recognizing his progressive contributions to gender equality. Her reflections bring forth a vital conversation about how society can learn from historical mistakes. This sentiment aligns with modern interpretations of Baum’s work, as new adaptations of Oz aim to broaden the narrative and address racial stereotypes that were prevalent in the original prose.
As the celebration of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz unfolds, it’s clear that the story continues to speak not just to the innocence of childhood dreams but also to the layers of human experience—encompassing themes of gender equality, the complexities of social justice, and the ever-evolving understanding of identity in our modern world.
