Although we agree with the larger point Leo Kadanoff makes—that in this country educational and intellectual accomplishments are insufficiently valued compared with other types of success—we believe that his criticism of The Wizard of Oz as an example of an anti-education attitude in American culture is unfounded.
Kadanoff complains that in the movie, “one character morphs from nasty schoolteacher into wicked witch. Another is given a diploma to make up for his lack of brain.” However, the occupation of Miss Gulch, the character who morphs into the Wicked Witch, is not even mentioned in the film. The only clue to her background comes from Auntie Em, who tells her, “Almira Gulch, just because you own half the county doesn't mean you have the power to run the rest of us!” It sounds like wealthy landowners are the ones being cast in a bad light, not school-teachers.
Regarding the Wizard's gift of a diploma to the Scarecrow, who asked him for a brain, we note that the Wizard also gave a medal to the Lion, who asked him for courage, and a heart-shaped watch to the Tin Man, who asked him for a heart. Are we therefore to infer that the film devalues courage and love as well as intelligence? Certainly not. On the contrary, all the quests of Dorothy's companions are portrayed as noble and worthwhile.
When presenting gifts to Dorothy's companions, the Wizard tells each recipient that he is not really lacking what he seeks. That is certainly true of the Scarecrow, who bemoans his lack of a brain and yet comes up with most of the good ideas for Dorothy's group. The purpose of the Wizard's gifts is to provide some recognition of each one's abilities in order to build self-confidence. The message conveyed is that you don't need the help of a wizard with magical powers to be successful; you can do that on your own if you simply have some faith in yourself and make good use of whatever abilities you have. That's one of the cherished ideals of American culture—and hardly an anti-educational one.
