The Yellow Flick Road

INTRODUCTION

When L. Frank Baum wrote The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in 1900, he established the the quintessential American myth, using new and original characters with personalities that typifies the American spirit. His protagonist, Dorothy Gale, was an eight-year-old girl from Kansas, with wholesome good looks, a sense of adventure tempered by homesickness, and the making of a compassionate but strong leader. Whether it was Baum's intention of not is uncertain, but by creating Dorothy, Baum set the precedent for great American women throughout the twentieth century. We see the makings of Dorothy in every great American woman who has emerged in the last hundred years: Susan B. Anthony, Elenor Roosevelt, Jane Fonda, Dr. Mae Jamison and Hilary Clinton are merely a few. Baum not only launched the alpha model for American mythology, he established the possibility of a woman as hero, which we have seen in advertising, marketing and entertainment for the last 100 years.

Dorothy represents the All-American female. She's attractive, but not overly so, making her an approachable mate for men and an attainable role model for women. W.W. Denslow, responsible for the original illustrations in the first publication in 1900, paints Dorothy as a slightly chubby brunette in a peasant dress. She is not overtly glamorous or tomboyish; there is a healthy balance of masculine and feminine, though Dorothy is clearly female. The choice of Judy Garland as Dorothy in the 1939 MGM movie production exemplifies these qualities. Dorothy is clearly confident and self-secure without unnecessary machismo or precociousness.

Dorothy possesses a strong sense of adventure, tempered by a homesickness that anchors her to her family. She has no problems picking up and leaving home at the slightest whim, or traveling unguided into strange and mysterious circumstances. And yet, at the mere mention of family malady, Dorothy is ready to head on back. While in Oz, Dorothy travels throughout the entire realm, all without trepidation. Any caution she feels is based on the information given to her by her companions. It is only when she feels truly alone that she displays a moment of weakness: in the Witch's castle, after her life has been threatened does she allow herself the comfort of tears.

Dorothy is a natural leader, and people are compelled to follow her. She immediately secures the admiration and loyalty of the Munchkins, and the protection of Glinda, witch of the North. Not far into her journey, she adopts a security force: the Scarecrow and the Tinman. The Scarecrow is Dorothy's advisor; the Tinman her bodyguard. The Lion is almost redundant, except that Dorothy needs a second in command, and who better than the King of the forest? The Witch, instead of killing her outright, treats Dorothy with a measure of reserve, and stalls for time. Dorothy is treated like a captured commander by the Witch. Her companions, who recognize Dorothy's importance, risk life and limb to rescue her. Dorothy is the one strong arms the Wizard into granting and her companions their requests.

We see these attributes in the lives of great American women. A Dorothy woman is well groomed, and fairly attractive, though not stunning. Her persona is a healthy balance of strength and softness. Serena Williams, a world class tennis player, is a good example of this. A Dorothy woman is adventurous, willing to take risks, but still maintains a strong connection to family life. Madonna, pop icon of the 1980's and 1990's, is an ideal example of this attribute. Finally, a Dorothy woman is a natural leader, and people flock to her. Hilary Clinton is much like this; she has an uncanny ability to be cast as a leader, sometimes without her effort.

In Dorothy, Baum has created the template for the perfectly balanced American woman. Strength, courage, compassion and confidence all combine to make a female with incomparable character. My research seeks to solidify the influence that Dorothy Gale has made on American women, and why they are compelled to follow her model.