OZ
| Think about the year 1900. It's difficult for people of our time to imagine it. Women did not have the right to vote. The children's adventure stories of the time (Tom Swift, etc.) featured boys; girls were not expected to have adventures. They were expected to stay home, clean the house, cook the dinner, tend the babies... | |
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In L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz published in 1900, the protagonist was a girl! He went on to write The Marvelous Land of Oz which featured a little boy named Tip — who turned out to be princess — yes, princess — in disguise (Ozma). In that second book there is a great battle between General Jinjur's Army of Revolt (all girls) and Glinda's personal army (also all female). Glinda's female army is victorious, winning the Emerald City for its rightful ruler — Ozma! Baum was a feminist — and when The Marvelous Land of Oz was written it was practically subversive. When you sit down to enjoy the Wizard of Oz series remember that Oz was an entirely new kind of kingdom. One in which women were strong, had adventures, and could rule. |
 Part of the Oz exhibit on display in the Special Collections Reading Room (September 2010). |
   Jack Pumpkinhead of Oz by L. Frank Baum. Special Collections Call #PZ8.T372 Jac 1929 |
Lyman Frank Baum (1856-1919) authored 14 book set in the land of Oz:
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