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

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