Perceptions of Magic in Oz

[Keb]

So a lot of us were puzzled by Zelena’s adoptive father’s attitude toward her magic, when he’s from a magical land ruled by a Wizard and (at least in the books) several witches (of which she becomes the worst, of course).

Well…in The Land of Oz, which is the first sequel and the only book not to feature Dorothy, the witch Mombi (who is caring for the boy Tip, who is actually Princess Ozma) is described thusly in the opening chapters–which interested me!

Mombi was not exactly a Witch, because the Good Witch who ruled that part of the Land of Oz had forbidden any other Witch to exist in her dominions. So Tip’s guardian, however much she might aspire to working magic, realized it was unlawful to be more than a Sorceress, or at most a Wizardess.

Mombi’s curious magic often frightened her neighbors, and they treated her shyly, yet respectfully, because of her weird powers. But Tip frankly hated her, and took no pains to hide his feelings. Indeed, he sometimes showed less respect for the old woman than he should have done, considering she was his guardian.

I was rereading it this morning and caught this and went, Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. (also now I really really need to reread the Wonderful Wizard before I go on.) I’ve read the books a lot, but attitudes in Oz change a bit after Ozma returns to the throne and it becomes more fairyland. Obviously, this is after the WWW is destroyed (as she meets her demise in the first book), but that’s never stopped A&E from using something they wanted to if it worked.

So, in sum, Zelena’s father’s attitude toward magic might not be THAT ridiculous for Oz.

PS: Project Gutenberg has all the Oz books and they can be downloaded in ebook formats that work for a number of ebook/phone/tablet readers.

I grabbed these quotes from: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/54/54-h/54-h.htm

[once_dude]

i am planning to read all of oz next week after i am done exams this week. thanks for the info.

Magic always comes with a price, so I pay with visa.

[Author]

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