What Does The Color Symbolize In The Wizard Of Oz

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L. Frank Baum uses colors throught the novel, The Wizard of Oz. His use of color helps readers understand emotions of the characters and/or the feeling of the situation. Certain colors are associated with certain feelings. L. Frank Baum is able to use this technique to enhance the readers senses. During their journey to find the Emerald City, Dorothy and her companions come upon a meadow of flowers. At first it was a meadow of beautiful colorful flowers. But as they walk some more, "they now came upon more and more of the big scarlet poppies." (L. Baum, Wizard of Oz). The color scarlet or red is used to warn the readers that danger approaches. Like how stop signs are red. "And if the sleeper is not carried away from the scent of the flowers, he sleeps on and on forever." (L. Baum, Wizard of Oz). But Dorothy did not know this,nor could she get away from the bright red flowers. Dorothy and her companions are smelling the poision. "The smell of the flowers is killing us all." (L. Baum, Wizard of Oz). Once they realize what the flowers are doing, they carry Dorothy away. …show more content…

Frank Baum describes the Emerald City. Just the name alone allows the reader to determine that the use of green will be used. "The streets were lined with beautiful houses all built of green marble...Even the sky above the City had a green tint, and the rays of the sun were green." (L.Baum, Wizard of Oz). The color green can be associated with either wealth or envy. The common saying is green with envy. "Because if you did not wear the spectacles the brightness and glory of the Emerald City would blind you" (L. Baum, Wizard of Oz). Dorothy and her companions needed to go the Emerald City to speak to the Great Wizard. They were envious of the wizard because he was able to give them what they wanted, a heart, courage, a brain, and to go

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