Here is a lengthy essay on “The Oddness of Oz” by Alison Lurie. It delves into the background of L. Frank Baum, including his exposure to women’s rights through his wife. Supposedly that explains why there were good witches in Oz along with the bad ones, and why there were many female rulers. It also accounts for Dorothy’s strong and independent personality. Lurie uses specific quotes from the books to back up her statements. She reveals the oppressiveness of housework evident in the series, an unusual viewpoint at a time when heroines in other books were learning to sew and cook. There are all-girl armies and a chicken who insists on being called “Bill”. She pulled out details from books that I barely remember reading, but I was nodding a lot, recalling certain plots that had stuck in my head, like the Tin Man returning to his fiancee, despite knowing that he had been given a kind heart, not a passionate one, and therefore couldn’t love her anymore. Sad, strange stuff. (via Feed)