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Beginning with a glance back over the entire history of research and commentary on the Oz books, this work is organized in three main sections. Essays in the "Origins of Oz" examine Frank Baum's personal history and unlock the mystery of one of the most bizarre episodes in the Oz books. "The World of Oz" looks at three very different aspects of Baum's world: its concept of home and family, its sense of humor, and its relationship to its young readers. "Oz on Screen" features both the silent films Baum produced himself and MGM's classic movie The Wizard of Oz.
List of contents
Chapter 1 Acknowledgments Chapter 2 Introduction: "Analyzing Oz" Part 3 Part 1: Origins of Oz Chapter 4 1. The Wonderful Wizard of the West: L. Frank Baum in South Dakota, 1888-1891 Chapter 5 2. Roots of Oz: The Upton's Vege-Men's Revenge Part 6 Part 2: The World of Oz Chapter 7 3. "If I Ever Go Looking for My Heart's Desire": Home in Baum's Oz Chapter 8 4. The Comedians of Oz Chapter 9 5. Readers of Oz: Young and Old, Old and New Historicist Part 10 Part 3: Oz on Stage and Screen Chapter 11 6. The Perfect Scarecrow Chapter 12 7. "A Whole Book for a Nickel?": L. Frank Baum as Filmmaker Chapter 13 8. "Aunt Em: Hate You! Have Kansas! Taking the Dog.-Dorothy": Conscious and Unconscious Desire in The Wizard of Oz Chapter 14 About the Contributors
About the author
Suzanne Rahn is Associate Professor of English at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington and Director of their Children's Literature Program. She is also the author of Children's Literature: An Annotated Bibliography of the History and Criticism, Rediscoveries in Children's Literature and The Wizard of Oz: Shaping an Imaginary World.
