Good And Evil In The Wizard Of Oz

The line between good and evil is non-existent; there is simply one large grey area consisting of (distinct) factors such as intent and perspective. In The Wizard of Oz, the wizard’s actions were difficult to perceive considering these two factors. The Wizard, the most powerful and prominent character in the land, was both feared and respected by its inhabitants. He was the saviour and leader of Oz, protecting them with his magic and bringing them together as their ruler, however he let down Dorothy and her friends, and was therefore not a wholly good character. Despite his respectable reputation, the Wizard used others’ vulnerabilities to his benefit, he was a questionable leader, and he was deceitful. The Wizard abused his power, and therefore did not posses the qualities of a good leader.

The Wizard corrupted his influence over Dorothy and her friends by using their vulnerability to his benefit. Dorothy and her friends were each desperate for assistance from the Wizard and he used this against them by pressuring them into giving him the witches broomstick. In doing so, no matter what the outcome, the Wizard would be benefitted; either Dorothy and her friends would die facing the witch and they would no longer be in his way, or they would be

successful in killing her, and there would be one less enemy threatening his power. It is unclear, however what the Wizard’s true intentions were, because he could have been truly hoping for Dorothy to win, so that she and her friends could learn that they already had what they desired from him.

In addition, Dorothy’s encounter with the gatekeeper of the city demonstrated questionable attributes in the way the Wizard ruled his subjects.

Upon request to see the Wizard, the gatekeeper exclaimed that “Nobody’s ever seen the great Oz,” although if this was true, it is unclear how the people knew he actually existed. Additionally, if no one had ever seen the Wizard, there was no effective way he could rule his subjects or use his magic to help them, and his reputation as Oz’s “great and powerful” hero would therefore be false. The reasons behind his secrecy was disclosed later in the film when the Wizards true identity was discovered, and it remains unclear whether his intentions and perspectives were

justified.

The discovery of the Wizards true identity as an ordinary man from Kansas crushed the hopes of Dorothy and her friends, although it was once again not wholly good nor wholly evil; it depends on how it was perceived. In the Wizards eyes, his actions were a necessary evil, because by deceiving the people of Oz, he united them under one ruler and brought peace. In Dorothy’s eyes, the Wizard’s deceitful trick almost killed her and her friends, and caused them to travel miles along the Yellow Brick Road for nothing. In the end, however, the Wizard did teach Dorothy and he companions a lesson of self-sufficiency, and rewarded them with small tokens of recognition.

Throughout the duration of the film, the Wizard was admired and respected, although when new information was brought to light, the way he was viewed became revised. The Wizard used others vulnerabilities against them, he possessed questionable attributes in the way he led his people, and he was deceitful to the people of Oz, ruining his reputation as an all powerful and utterly perfect leader. Despite these sudden shifts in perspective, the wizard ultimately benefitted Dorothy in her journey home, and he was accredited for teaching her valuable lessons along her adventure. The Wizard’s intentions remained positive, but occasionally, he was forced to make seemingly evil decisions to help others, which can complicate the line between good and evil.