Oz and the Wizard

The story of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is, in my opinion, a exciting children's story with beautiful allusions of a psychoanalytic nature. Most exegesis that have been written about the story have been centered on the political rather than the psychological. Others address it as face value. However, where,for example,could the lion find courage, other than through a magical process of being given a placebo? He didn't know that he always had that courage! He found it had always been there when it was apparent that the Wizard wasn't a whiz! Self realization is what it is all about. Capacity will build for him with this knowledge. Where would the Scarecrow get his brains other than begging from some external magical source? He didn't twig to the fact that he was always smart. When he realized that the Wizard really had feet of clay, and what we seek is inside us, latent, and awaiting discovery,then his brain became a reality. Where would the Tinman get a heart other than from a transplant from the Cardio-wizard? Nonsense! The story of the Tinman is, he always had a heart. His attitude thoughout the journey told us that. He just didn't recognize it. None of these chaps realized their potential 'til they stopped thinking entirely about their own troubles, and combined their needs with helping a little girl to get home. You can take the story of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz at face value ,or the politics of the time, but it seems to me that there is an exploration of the human condition. Who knows what is behind Frank Baum's masterpiece? Some may say it is wrong to dissect this story, or attempt to deconstruct any literature, since we will never know entirely what went on in the author's head. There are two bookends to any story,the author and the intent, the reader and the understanding. What he said and what I heard! They may not be the same! It may not be important that they are the same!