In the intriguing and whimsical novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz written by Frank L. Baum, the use of color plays a key role in the novel and the effects it has on the reader as we follow the journey of Dorothy and her comrades as they travel to meet the great and powerful Oz. The vivid use of color in this novel not only adds definition to the reading but also allows the reader to captivate their journey on a deeper level. In the novel, color is described to the reader and seen in a variety of ways, for instance, we see the use of color in the different regions that Dorothy and her comrades visit, color is also seen as a defining characteristic that distinguishes each character from one another, and finally color is used for metaphoric and symbolic reason. When color is used most commonly we see …show more content…
Through her journey to meet Oz, each character she meets leaves her with a message or she either receives a tip of help before continuing on her journey down the yellow brick road. Imagine approaching a stop light on a road and before it turns red the yellow lights shines which causes you to slow down, automatically knowing that you have to slow down because the light is going to change to red. Well, the symbolism present in the yellow brick road is that there must be caution taken while journeying down this road to see Oz. In the beginning we encounter a naive girl and her dog who simply just want to get back to Kansas as soon as possible to reunite with her family, but little does she know this journey will not be quick and it will not be easy. Dorothy must take caution in all she does and everyone she encounters because there are many obstacles that are thrown her way in the novel. This piece of symbolism can be taken as a life lesson to some, to simply approach new experiences with a cautious mind and a kind heart just as Dorothy did as she travelled down the yellow brick road to get back