Book Anatomy · The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: Genre craft
15 lenses on genre craft for The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. Count lenses are exact for our text. AI lenses are our reading and cite only quotes that passed a word for word check.
Jump to: G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6 G7 G8 G9 G10 G11 G12 G13 G14 G15
G1. Genre and subgenre, and how well the book fits. AI
The book is fantasy and children's literature. It fits both genres well: it features a magical world with wonder and danger appropriate for young readers, with a clear moral about self-discovery and the value of home. The tone is light and the peril is not graphic.
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 2, Ch 11, Ch 12, Ch 13
The cyclone had set the house down very gently—for a cyclone—in the midst of a country of marvelous beauty. (Ch 2, para 4)
I am Oz, the Great and Terrible. Who are you, and why do you seek me? (Ch 11, para 28)
G2. The genre's must have scenes: present or missing? AI
Fantasy must-haves are present: a magical world with its own rules, a quest, magical objects (Silver Shoes, Golden Cap), and a climactic confrontation with evil (the Witch). The wonder moments appear throughout. The cost of magic is subtle but present in the companions' realisation that gifts come from within.
Chapters: Ch 2, Ch 11, Ch 12, Ch 13, Ch 23
There was, in her cupboard, a Golden Cap, with a circle of diamonds and rubies running round it. (Ch 12, para 40)
they can carry you to any place in the world in three steps, and each step will be made in the wink of an eye (Ch 23, para 30)
G3. The genre's conventions: which are used? AI
Fantasy conventions used include: a hero from the ordinary world, a magical mentor (Glinda), companions with complementary gifts, a dark antagonist (the Witch), magical objects with power, and a journey through strange lands. The Wizard as false mentor subverts the convention.
Chapters: Ch 2, Ch 6, Ch 11, Ch 12, Ch 19, Ch 23
I am Oz, the Great and Terrible. Who are you, and why do you seek me? (Ch 11, para 28)
You’re more than that,” said the Scarecrow, in a grieved tone; “you’re a humbug. (Ch 15, para 46)
G4. Mystery: clue list, red herrings, fair play test. AI
7 clues. See the full lens on the book page.
G5. Thriller: clocks, chases and set pieces. AI
Not enough in the text to answer this one yet.
G6. Romance: the meeting, the barriers, the grand gesture. AI
Not enough in the text to answer this one yet.
G7. Horror and gothic: how dread builds, when the monster is seen. AI
Not enough in the text to answer this one yet.
G8. Science fiction: the new idea and its rules. AI
Not enough in the text to answer this one yet.
G9. Fantasy: moments of wonder, and the cost of magic. AI
Moments of wonder include Dorothy's first sight of the magical land, the Emerald City's brilliance, and the china country. Magic has a cost: the companions must face danger to gain their gifts, and Dorothy loses the Silver Shoes crossing the desert. The Witch's vulnerability to water shows magic has limits.
Chapters: Ch 2, Ch 10, Ch 20, Ch 23
The cyclone had set the house down very gently—for a cyclone—in the midst of a country of marvelous beauty. (Ch 2, para 4)
Indeed, the old Witch never touched water, nor ever let water touch her in any way. (Ch 12, para 70)
G10. Adventure: stages of the journey and physical trials. AI
Adventure stages are clear: departure from home (chapter 1), gathering companions (chapters 3 to 6), journey through obstacles (chapters 7 to 10), confrontation with the antagonist (chapters 11 to 13), and return home (chapters 23 to 24). Physical trials include forests, rivers, poppies, and the Witch's attacks.
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 3, Ch 7, Ch 11, Ch 23
Toward evening they came to a great forest, where the trees grew so big and close together that their branches met over the road of yellow brick. (Ch 4, para 29)
Kill the Wicked Witch of the West,” answered Oz. (Ch 11, para 45)
G11. Literary: inner life and the moment of insight. AI
Not enough in the text to answer this one yet.
G12. Children's: age of the lead, level of peril, humour. AI
Dorothy is a young girl, appropriate for the target audience. Peril is present but not graphic: the Witch enslaves Dorothy but does not harm her physically. Humour appears in the Scarecrow's wordplay, the Cowardly Lion's shame, and the china country's fragility. The tone is light and accessible.
Chapters: Ch 6, Ch 12, Ch 20, Ch 21
I know it,” said the Lion, hanging his head in shame. “I’ve always known it. But how can I help it? (Ch 6, para 13)
Oh, yes; but one is never so pretty after being mended, you know,” replied the Princess. (Ch 20, para 30)
G13. Plays: entrances, exits and stage time per character. Count
Not a play. See the cast and speech lenses for who is on the page.
G14. Where the book bends or breaks its genre's rules. AI
The book subverts the fantasy convention of the all-powerful wizard. The Wizard is revealed as a humbug using tricks rather than magic. This teaches that power and wisdom come from within, not from external authority. The twist deepens the book's theme beyond typical fantasy.
Chapters: Ch 15, Ch 16
No, you are all wrong,” said the little man meekly. “I have been making believe. (Ch 15, para 41)
You’re more than that,” said the Scarecrow, in a grieved tone; “you’re a humbug. (Ch 15, para 46)
G15. Tropes present, with where they appear. AI
Tropes present include: the chosen one (Dorothy), the magical mentor (Glinda), the dark lord (Wicked Witch), the quest, the magical object (Silver Shoes), the loyal companion (Toto), and the false mentor (the Wizard). The companions represent the hero's inner qualities made external, a common fantasy device.
Chapters: Ch 2, Ch 6, Ch 11, Ch 15, Ch 23
I am Oz, the Great and Terrible. Who are you, and why do you seek me? (Ch 11, para 28)
they can carry you to any place in the world in three steps, and each step will be made in the wink of an eye (Ch 23, para 30)
Ask The Wonderful Wizard of Oz a question about its craft (free beta)
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