What Does The Color Symbolize In The Wizard Of Oz

692 Words2 Pages

The author L. Frank Baum uses color throughout the novel The Wizard of Oz. He uses the role of color as a transition from scene to scene. L. Frank Baum also uses color to symbolize the feelings of the characters. The use of color between chapter ten through chapter fourteen demonstrate how L. Frank Baum was able to use color for this purpose.

For example, in chapter ten titled The Guardian of Gates Dorothy, Toto, the Tin Woodsman, the Scarecrow and the Lion slowly awaken from the red poppy field. The color red is used as a symbol of caution or danger. During our daily lives the color red is used for stop signs and yield signs. Next L. Frank Baum writes,” Travelers rejoiced in the leaving of the forest far behind and with it the many dangers they had met in its gloomy shades.” Shades are dark in color. The shades are referring to the feelings of fear the travelers felt. The shades symbolize danger. L. Frank Baum continues to write about how Dorothy finds the yellow brick road. The use of the color yellow symbolizes feelings of hope and joy because they are all on the right path. He goes on to write about their walk. They begin to pass houses as they travel the yellow brick road. The houses are an emerald green. The travelers see the green as a symbol that they are nearing the Emerald City. Baum writes “This must be the Land of Oz.” said Dorothy “and we are surely getting near the Emerald City.” …show more content…

However, the color green is used to describe the pavement, the sky has a hint of green, and even the windows of houses are green. Even the people had a green tint to their skin. L. Frank Baum wrote, “Everyone seemed happy and contented and prosperous.” The color green symbolizes wealth and wellbeing throughout the

Open Document