Comparing Alice In Wonderland And The Wizard Of Oz

Introduction

Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz are films based on the novel of their respective film. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was originally written by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) in 1865, with the film adaption being directed by Tim Burton in 2010. Likewise, L. Frank Baum initially wrote the Wizard of Oz in 1900, with the film adaption being directed by Victor Fleming in 1939. As both of the films were written in the 19th century, they both explore the character’s journey in an imaginary world through the technique of symbolism, corresponding to the time of writing.

Paragraph 1: Symbolism (Start of Journey)

In the opening sequences of Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz, the protagonist’s journey in an imaginary world is set up through the use of symbols. Burton incorporates the

important symbol of the white rabbit during the opening scene, when nineteen-year-old Alice Kingsleigh attends a garden party at Lord Ascot's estate.

She is confronted by an unwanted marriage proposal, to Hamish Ascot, and the stifling expectations of the society in which she lives. Unsure of how to reply, and increasingly confused, she runs away to chase after a rabbit in a blue waistcoat, and accidentally falls into a large rabbit hole. The white rabbit symbolises the start of Alice’s journey through wonderland, as he is the one that physically leads Alice into the large rabbit hole, beginning her journey the imaginary world of Wonderland. On the contrary, Fleming incorporates the symbol of the cyclone during the opening scene of the film in order to commence Dorothy’s journey through the Emerald City. While in Kansas, Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto meet Professor Marvel, a fake fortune teller, who realises that Dorothy has run away and tricks her via his crystal ball into believing that her

Aunt Em is ill. She hurries home as a powerful tornado develops and tries to get into the storm cellar, however she is unable to do so, instead seeking safety in her bedroom. A shattered window hits her head and she falls unconscious on her bed, waking up to find the house spinning in the air, held aloft by the twister. The incorporation of the symbol of the cyclone allows Dorothy to arrive in the Emerald City, where she begins her journey through an imaginary world. The use of both the white rabbit in Alice and Wonderland and the cyclone in the Wizard of Oz allow the respective protagonist to begin their journey though the imaginary world.

Paragraph 2: Symbolism (Start of journey through imaginary world)
Once the protagonist in each film has entered their imaginary word, they are able to commence their journey to their desired location, following specific paths. In the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy commences her journey by listening to Glinda, the good which of the North, and the Munchkins, who tell Dorothy to ‘Follow the Yellow Brick Road’. The Yellow Brick Road begins in a spiral, which Dorothy is coincidentally standing on. Dorothy begins walking along The Yellow Brick Road, which symbolises her journey through the imaginary world.