The Wizard of Oz is a timeless classic.  Most people know the movie the best, but the movie was based on the 1900 book written by L. Frank Baum.  The story of Dorothy and her adventure in the land of Oz has entertained countless children over many generations and even today, with all of our technology and incredible special effects, this movie still attracts the attention of children everywhere.  Adults who have not seen the movie since their own childhood enjoy watching it with their children.  What is it that makes this movie so popular in the hearts of so many?  Well, the story of good vs. evil is certainly a big part of it, but even more important are the characters that light up the screen with their charming personalities and their funny antics.  Who are these characters?  Let's take a look.

First and foremost is the main character of the story is Dorothy Gale, a young girl who lives with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry in Kansas.  Living on a farm, Dorothy gets caught in a cyclone and she, her little dog, Toto, and her house get carried away to the land of Oz.  It is here that she learns one of life's most important lessons, “There is no place like home.”  Dorothy is a young girl who is intelligent and kind and who is never afraid to speak her mind, especially when there is a wrong-doing.  She is very protective of her friends and her main goal in Oz is to make it to the Emerald City to find the Wizard and ask him to help her get back to Kansas.

Dorothy's main friends along the journey begin with the Scarecrow, who she helps down from the pole on which he is hanging.  The scarecrow desperately wants to have a brain, having only a head stuffed with straw.  However, through their adventures he proves himself to be very intelligent indeed and is generally the one who comes up with the solutions to the problems they encounter on the road.

Next they come upon the Tin Man, a man who is as hollow as an old tree stump and who is in need of frequent oiling so his joints move properly.  He is also a man who desperately wants a heart so that he can experience feelings.  However, for someone who cries as much as he does in the story there is little wonder as to whether he needs to see the Wizard at all.  He seems to already possess the feelings he so desperately wants.

The last of Dorothy's companions is the Cowardly Lion, a funny creature who seems to be afraid of his own shadow.  However, despite the dangers of the journey, he wants desperately to travel to the Emerald City to ask the Wizard for courage.  The way is fraught with danger and the Lion stands up for and protects his friends in the moments he is most afraid – which is, after all, what courage is all about.

The Wicked Witch of the West is the enemy of the traveling companions.  She is angered about the death of the Wicked Witch of the East, on whom Dorothy's house fell, and she wants the Ruby Slippers that adorn Dorothy's feet.  She will stop at nothing to get them and she eventually captures the companions.  In the book she is portrayed very differently than in the movie, but either way she is evil and will melt if she is exposed to water.

Finally, let's consider the Wizard himself.  He is a man who pretends to be what he is not, who is also looking for more than he has/is.  He is just a tinker and an inventor and he has a good heart.  He arrived in Oz in a hot air balloon and that is how he tries to get Dorothy home.  In meeting Dorothy, the Wizard may just be reminded of home and of who he really is.

These are the main characters in the story.  There are many others who play significant roles, such as Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, Toto, Auntie Em, Uncle Henry, Almira Gulch, Hunk, Zeke, and Hickory.  This is ultimately a story about realizing that you don't have to go searching for what you really want in life because you already have it.  All you have to do is recognize it and embrace it.  The characters of the Wizard of Oz are lovable and are wonderful representations of some of our most difficult inner struggles.  They will always be alive in our hearts.