Examples Of Dualism In The Wizard Of Oz

415 Words1 Page

Another interesting point regarding the Wizard is the duality that exists between the character of the Wizard and the other characters he portrays in the film. Frank Morgan, the actor that plays the Wizard, also plays the parts of the gatekeeper, cabbie, and palace guard within the city of Oz. Coincidence or not, this duality presents an interesting viewpoint regarding the Wizard’s need for control within his city. By acting as the gatekeeper to the Emerald City, the Wizard can regulate who enters the walls, thus ensuring that those who do enter are easily susceptible to his ongoing deception. When Dorothy tells the gatekeeper that she wishes to see the Wizard, he seems frazzled and replies by saying “Nobody can see the great Oz, nobody’s ever seen the great Oz! Even I’ve never seen him!” (0:59:02). The only reasonable explanation to this strange response is that the select few that enter the city are chosen based upon the premises that they will succumb to …show more content…

More importantly, the palace guard is the direct line of communication to the outside world for the Wizard. Because of this, the Wizard has even better opportunity to learn about those who wish to see the him. When the Wicked Witch threatens Dorothy with the message in the sky, the guard still refuses to let anyone see the Wizard (1:02:24). He unconvincingly tells the crowd that “The great and powerful Oz has got matters will in hand” (1:02:57). It is only after Dorothy begins to cry that he decides to allow them to see the Wizard. Because the guard witnesses this breakdown of Dorothy’s confidence, he decides that she is in a vulnerable enough place in which she can be easily manipulated. Ultimately, this duality of characters falls into the deception category of a BFL. The BFL is an attempt to intentionally mislead, and truly, the Wizard is doing just that by playing multiple parts within the

Open Document