Tag Archives: the master key

Heffalumps and Woozies

Posted on July 23, 2022 by Nathan

After two years when it just wasn’t possible, we finally had an in-person OzCon International this year. It was in Pomona, California again, and it was one day and some change, so I initially thought it wouldn’t make sense to … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Art, Atticus Gannaway, Celebrities, Characters, Eric Shanower, Food, Jack Snow, John R. Neill, L. Frank Baum, Oz, Oz Authors, Places, Plays, Ruth Plumly Thompson | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Bringing the Magic Back

Posted on September 16, 2021 by Nathan

The Spellcasters of Oz, by Philip John Lewin – Following up on Lewin’s earlier Master Crafters, this book shows the Ozites dealing with most of the magic that sustains their country disappearing, making beings like the Scarecrow inanimate and animals … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Authors, Book Reviews, Characters, Christianity, Eric Shanower, Feminism, Greek Mythology, History, J.R.R. Tolkien, John R. Neill, L. Frank Baum, Magic, Maps, Mythology, Oz, Oz Authors, Phil Lewin, Prejudice, Religion, Ruth Plumly Thompson, Technology, Theosophy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Every Modern Convenience and Comfort

Posted on January 17, 2019 by Nathan

I’ve been thinking a little more about the level of technology in Oz. I’ve written about this subject before a few times, but there are a few things I wanted to add. We know that Oz has electricity to some … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Characters, Dick Martin, Eric Shanower, John R. Neill, L. Frank Baum, Magic, Magic Items, Oz, Oz Authors, Ruth Plumly Thompson, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Half-Civilized

Posted on January 1, 2019 by Nathan

When Dorothy first comes to Oz, the Good Witch of the North tells her, “In the civilized countries I believe there are no witches left; nor wizards, nor sorceresses, nor magicians. But, you see, the Land of Oz has never … Continue reading →

Posted in Environmentalism, Fairy Tales, John R. Neill, L. Frank Baum, Magic, Oz, Oz Authors, Poetry, Ruth Plumly Thompson, Science, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Spectacle Spectacular

Posted on July 27, 2017 by Nathan

I find it interesting that the Frogman in The Lost Princess of Oz is said to wear “great spectacles with gold rims, not because his eyes were bad, but because the spectacles made him look wise.” I don’t know how … Continue reading →

Posted in Characters, Eric Shanower, John R. Neill, L. Frank Baum, Magic Items, Oz, Oz Authors, Ruth Plumly Thompson | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

A Space Ozyssey

Posted on January 19, 2017 by Nathan

I’ve examined the possible location of the Land of Oz and its surrounding fairylands in the past. To sum up, the earlier books seem to place it in some hidden part of our Earth, while more recent ones tend to … Continue reading →

Posted in Characters, Chris Dulabone, Gina Wickwar, L. Frank Baum, Oz, Oz Authors, Places, Rachel Cosgrove Payes, Ruth Plumly Thompson | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sorcerous Servitude

Posted on April 8, 2016 by Nathan

I don’t know where the idea of supernatural beings assisting magicians originated, but perhaps the most prominent example are the jinn that will serve anyone who releases them from bottles. King Solomon is said to have had a ring that … Continue reading →

Posted in Arabian, Atticus Gannaway, Fairy Tales, L. Frank Baum, Magic, Magic Items, Mythology, Oz, Oz Authors, Prejudice, Ruth Plumly Thompson | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Demon-stration

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Nathan

The Master Key: An Electrical Fairy Tale is not one of L. Frank Baum’s better known fantasies, and really there’s a reason for this, as it’s not one of his better works. That said, people do tend to like one … Continue reading →

Posted in Arabian, Characters, Christianity, Greek Mythology, Greek Philosophy, Islam, Judaism, L. Frank Baum, Magic, Monsters, Mythology, Oz, Oz Authors, Philosophy, Religion, Roman | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

To the Cosmic with My Ozmic Ray!

Posted on September 24, 2013 by Nathan

I’ve always been interested in how L. Frank Baum introduced science fiction elements in the Oz books, and his successors followed suit to a certain extent. I don’t recall any directed energy weapons in Baum’s Oz books, although The Master … Continue reading →

Posted in John R. Neill, L. Frank Baum, Magic Items, Oz, Oz Authors, Ruth Plumly Thompson, Science, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

The Science of Oz

Posted on November 16, 2010 by Nathan

While there have been attempts to explain the science in series like Star Trek and Star Wars, and even something called The Science of Discworld (although I believe that actually is more about the science of OUR world, using a … Continue reading →

Posted in Magic Items, Oz | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments