“The Wizard of Oz” by Metro Goldwyn Mayer Film Analysis

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Abstract

The Wizard of Oz is a comical movie released in the year 1939 (Mayer, 1939). Metro Goldwyn Mayer is the director of the movie. The movie is based on a novel written by Frank Baum during the early 20th century. The Wizard of Oz featured Judy Garland as Dorothy, Ray Bolger as Scarecrow, Jack Haley as Tin Woodsman, and Bert Lahr as Lion. As such, the movie became very popular because it employed the use of Technicolor fantasy plot, pleasant-sounding scores, and extraordinary characters.

Since its production, the film has become one of the most celebrated movies and a component of American pop culture (Mayer, 1939). In the article, the movie’s characters are analyzed to identify how they were empowered and identify the likeness between the Land of Oz and the challenging contemporary workplace.

What makes Dorothy a great leader, especially in regards to the empowerment of people?

In the movie, Dorothy is depicted as a great leader, unlike the other characters. It is surprising that she achieved a lot despite her age and gender (Mayer, 1939). She is depicted as a young woman who found herself in an unusual land after a Tornado swept her. In this place, she was very vulnerable. Based on the above attributes, the viewers will dismiss her for lacking the qualities of a being a motivator. However, Dorothy used the above attributes to her best, enabling her to earn respect among the postmodern leaders.

While trying to find her way home, Dorothy met with Scarecrow, Tin, Woodsman, and Lion (Mayer, 1939). The three friends were helpless. After meeting, they all formed a team of four friends. Together, Dorothy believed that she was going to help her three friends achieve their desires. They usually sang together, walking down the yellow road. While together, Dorothy’s great leadership styles were depicted (Mayer, 1939).

Her ability to motivate, to take risks, to connect with people, to convince, and to exploit her creativity made her a great leader. Despite the fact that she was not knowledgeable enough to guide her friends out of their troubles, she encouraged them to stay strong and never give up. In the end, they all got their desires.

If it were not for Dorothy’s ability to empower her friends, it is apparent that they could not have achieved what they wanted. At the end of the film, the three friends transformed their feelings and responsibilities towards their fate. They were prepared to overcome the challenges ahead of them. Through this, she portrayed charismatic leadership styles.

What leadership quality do Scarecrow, tin woodsman, and lion believe they each lack?

In the film, Scarecrow believed he had no brains; Tin Woodsman believed he was heartless, while Lion believed he lacked the courage (Mayer, 1939). They were all on a journey, searching for these attributes before they met with Dorothy. When they met, Dorothy convinced them to join her in her expedition for a wizard who could transform their lives by giving them their desires.

What does each character learn about themselves on their journey to empowerment?

Eventually, the four friends met with the Wizard who helped them unlock their potential. When Scarecrow told the Wizard that he had no brains, the Wizard replied, “Anybody can have brains” (Mayer, 1939). The Wizard empowered Scarecrow to believe that he was clever enough to tackle his responsibilities. When Lion presented his wishes to the Wizard, he was amazed at the reply. The Wizard asserted, “Lion, you are a victim of jumbled thoughts” (Mayer, 1939).

The Wizard encouraged him that it does not imply that when a person keeps away from danger, he or she is a coward. On the other hand, the Wizard encouraged Tin Woodsman to overcome his thoughts of being heartless.

What did Dorothy learn about self-empowerment from Glinda, the good witch of the North, at the end of the film, about her power to return home?

At the end of the film, Dorothy learned many insights from the Glinda. After being left by the hot air balloon, Dorothy thought her dreams of returning back to her home in Kansas had ended. Her hopes were revived when Scarecrow introduced her to Glinda. Glinda informed her that she could help her return to her homeland. Dorothy asked the good witch how she was going to help her.

Glinda replied, “Dorothy, you do not need my help. You have at all times had the power to go back to your home” (Mayer, 1939). After hearing this, Dorothy was surprised because it was true that she had always had the power but never exploited it. Based on this, it is clear that Glinda empowered Dorothy by helping her discover her inner strength.

The Wizard had a leadership position; however, he was clearly not a leader why?

In the film, the Wizard helped the four friends discover their attributes. Based on this, it is clear that he had a leadership position. However, it should be noted that the Wizard was not a leader. He never became a leader because he had not discovered his true attributes. He was living in delusion just as the four friends. When Dorothy asked her who he was, he replied, “I am a very good person. I am just an awful wizard” (Mayer, 1939). His comments were contradicting because he implied that he was a good person with bad attributes.

The above comments also show that he was disconnected from reality. As such, he thought he was good because of his deeds. Unluckily, he refused to relinquish his obligations as the commanding Wizard of Oz. He could not be a leader because the people of Oz did not trust him. When he met with the four friends, Dorothy informed him that she did not trust him. He proved so when he departed Oz in the absence of Dorothy.

Practices and behaviors important in the empowerment of the people

Currently, the whole world is in need of visionary and inspiring leaders. For the world to overcome its current challenges such as economic issues, terrorisms, human rights abuses, and democracy issues, its leaders should empower their followers through actions rather than through words (Avolio & Yammarino, 2002).

As such, the leaders should strive to meet the needs of their people and be beacons of hope in their societies by enhancing justice, fairness, caring for the less fortunate and allowing love to flourish within our societies.

Apart from the above practices, leaders should also change their behaviors. Their behavior should be in accordance with the transformational leadership styles and charismatic leadership styles. The need for transformational leaders in our societies is evident from citizens’ lack of hope in the current rulers. In our business organizations, increase in staff turnover implies that our society is in need of transformational leaders.

Charismatic leaders like Dorothy should make use of their individual appeal to get things done to their expectations. Through this, leaders can influence and expand their interest of the followers and attain unwavering support among the followers (Manning & Curtis, 2003). The above behaviors will be beneficial to society because the interest of the citizens would be given first priority rather than personal interest.

However, it is worth noting that the behaviors of leaders vary from one culture to the other. For instance, in some cultures leaders are expected to take firm and critical actions to be seen as charismatic, whereas in the other cultures leaders need to cultivate independent approaches in order to be considered charismatic (Spears & Lawrence, 2002). More often, leaders are expected to be individuals with visions.

Some few years ago, I had an “Oz experience” in my career. During my first job, I had reduced self-esteem, and a result, I thought that I would never perform as my senior workmates were. Over time, I discovered my potentials and worked on improving my self-esteem. Because of this, I have learned that being real, thoughtful, and attentive to my deeper sense of self reduce some of the confusions linked with life and job.

If I become a leader in the future, the best approach to empower my followers is to exhibit transformational leadership behaviors. Through these behaviors, I will strive to meet the needs of my followers and be a beacon of hope in the society by enhancing justice, fairness, caring for the less fortunate and allowing love to flourish within the society.

By doing so, I will be able to motivate my followers to attain their full potential. Through this approach, l would not only attract numerous followers but will also make my followers to be committed.

References

Avolio, B. J., & Yammarino, F. J. (2002). Transformational and charismatic leadership: the road ahead. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science.

Manning, G., & Curtis, K. (2003). The art of leadership (4th ed.). Boston, Mass.: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.

Spears, L. C., & Lawrence, M. (2002). Focus on leadership servant-leadership for the twenty-first century. New York: J. Wiley & Sons.

Mayer, M. (Director). (1939). The wizard of Oz [Motion picture]. USA: MGM/UA.

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