The Wizard of the Emerald City

Summary

The Wizard of the Emerald City is a children's fairy tale written by Alexander Volkov. The story follows the adventures of a girl named Ellie, who is whisked away to a magical land by a hurricane. Accompanied by her loyal dog Toto, a Tin Woodman, a Scarecrow, and a Cowardly Lion, she embarks on a journey to meet the Great Wizard living in the Emerald City, hoping to find her way home and help her new friends fulfill their wishes.

Main Ideas

• Kindness and courage help overcome all obstacles
• The importance of friendship and mutual support in achieving goals
• Self-discovery and the search for one's true self
• Critique of tyranny and despotism through the character of the wicked witch
• The significance of home and family, and the characters' desire to return home

Historical Context and Significance

The Wizard of the Emerald City, written by Alexander Volkov, is one of the most significant and popular works in Soviet and Russian children's literature. First published in 1939, this novel became a classic of the fantasy genre and deeply influenced the reading tastes of generations. Although the plot is based on the American fairy tale The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, Volkov created a unique, original world with new characters and events, winning the hearts of millions of readers. The work contributed to the popularization of the fantasy genre in Soviet children's literature and served as a model for many authors in the following decades.

Main Characters and Their Development

• Ellie - a little girl who finds herself in a magical land after a hurricane. Throughout her journey, she makes new friends and learns to overcome challenges.
• Toto - Ellie's faithful dog, accompanies her on all her adventures, showing bravery and loyalty.
• Scarecrow - wishes to become smarter and receives a brain as a reward for helping Ellie. He is Ellie's first companion on her adventures.
• Tin Woodman - dreams of having a heart to be able to feel. He becomes more sensitive and kind.
• Cowardly Lion - initially afraid of everything, but strives to become brave. Over time, he finds courage through friendship and support from his friends.
• The Wizard - a mysterious and powerful ruler of the Emerald City, whose secret is revealed by the end of the story.
• Bastinda - a wicked witch who pursues Ellie and her friends, trying to reclaim her magical shoes.

Style and Technique

The Wizard of the Emerald City is a vivid example of children's fairy tale literature, where the author uses rich and imaginative language, making the plot captivating and accessible to young readers. The text combines simple yet expressive descriptions with elements of fantasy and adventure. Alexander Volkov skillfully uses dialogues to reveal the characters' personalities and employs contrasts and comparisons to create a dynamic and engaging atmosphere. The story's structure is classic for a fairy tale, with a clear division into introduction, development, climax, and resolution, ensuring easy comprehension and helping young readers follow the plot.

Interesting Facts

• The book is an adaptation of the American fairy tale The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, but with significant changes and additions.
• The main character, a girl named Ellie, along with her dog Toto, ends up in a magical land thanks to a hurricane.
• The book features unique characters like the Tin Woodman, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion, who accompany Ellie on her adventures.
• The Emerald City, where the heroes aim to go, is not as magical as it seems: its green color is created by green glasses worn by all its inhabitants.
• The Wizard, who rules the Emerald City, turns out to be an ordinary man who arrived in the magical land by balloon.
• The book teaches important moral values such as friendship, courage, intelligence, and kindness, which help the characters overcome difficulties.

Book Review

The Wizard of the Emerald City by Alexander Volkov is a classic piece of children's literature that has captured the hearts of many generations of readers. Critics note that the book successfully adapts the plot of L. Frank Baum's American fairy tale The Wonderful Wizard of Oz for Soviet children, adding unique elements and characters. Volkov masterfully creates a magical world full of adventures and wonders, teaching children important life values such as friendship, courage, and loyalty. Characters like Ellie, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Lion have become symbols of these qualities. Critics also emphasize that the language of the book is simple and accessible, making it ideal for young readers. At the same time, adults can find deep philosophical thoughts and allegories within. Overall, The Wizard of the Emerald City remains an important part of literary heritage and continues to inspire new generations.