A Matter of Principle: Encouraging Courage

By Qarol Price

There are countless stories and movies about courage and valor, and these not only warm the heart, but also inspire the spirit. They often follow a narrative structure known as The Hero's Journey.

As mythologist Joseph Campbell points out, it is found in many myths, legends and stories across cultures. Key stages of the journey include the call to adventure, crossing the threshold into the unknown, facing trials and tests, meeting mentors and allies, confronting the central crisis or ordeal, experiencing a transformation or revelation and finally returning home with newfound wisdom or blessings.

The Hero’s Journey narrative resonates with us deeply because, at its core, it’s a kind of script that invites and emboldens us to walk that road ourselves. I am thinking especially of one that involves an actual road on which the journey takes place — a certain yellow brick road.

When I was growing up, it seemed there wasn’t a soul who didn’t know the story of “The Wizard of Oz.” In the sixties, before the days of video cassettes, DVDs and streaming on-demand, the 1939 Technicolor movie was televised once a year as if for a national holiday.

There was no missing it as virtually every home was equipped with a trusty TV Guide as sure as restaurants have menus. The vast majority of the population would tune in to the real-time broadcast to enjoy a powerful story time experience — in unison. It was a modern-day vestige of the clan gathered around the fire in nature’s extended family room receiving spiritual nourishment from ancestral narratives.

The story never stopped circulating since the original book was published in 1900. Filmmakers, authors and theatre producers have created hundreds of adaptations to date. Considering the widespread popularity of this American myth, surely it demands due diligence of all good American citizens to delve into their Wizard of Oz lore! We should explore its psychological significance for ourselves, especially given the story’s central theme of self-discovery and self-development.

hough the story has many themes flowing through it, the subject of courage is the most outstanding. It was the vital ingredient that transformed each of the Yellow Brick Road travelers by the end. It all comes together at the Witch’s castle, where Dorothy is being held prisoner. Her three companions (symbolizing three aspects of herself: intelligence, compassion and courage) throw their fears aside and attempt a rescue. Love inspires courage, and intelligence forms a clever plan!  

As for Dorothy, when she finally reaches the Wizard of Oz and discovers the truth about his powers, she confronts him with courage and demands what she and her friends were promised. This confrontation shows her growth in character as she stands up to an authority figure and seeks truth and justice.

Overall, "The Wizard of Oz" teaches us that courage is not just about bravado or fearlessness, but about facing our fears, taking action, believing in ourselves and persevering through challenges. It's a timeless lesson that resonates with people of all ages.

Next Month: Honesty

Qarol Price is a writer and educator. She has taught philosophy to children in Johnston County Public Schools and in Harlem. She is a resident of Selma.