Macy Parson

Autumn 2023

ITAL 262

Parallels Between Dante's Inferno and The Wizard of Oz

Although Dante’s “Inferno” and L. Frank Baum’s “The Wizard of Oz” may seem like different works at first glance as the “Inferno” follows an Italian poet exploring Hell, whereas the protagonist of The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy, enters what resembles a dreamlike realm in the land of Oz. However, if explored more deeply into these works, many parallels can be found relating to the themes, symbolic characters and places while both the characters of Dante and Dorothy venture on a quest of enlightenment. This essay will explore the similarities these two stories share beneath the surface of the story and within the plot.

The similarities begin at the start of each story, when the characters venture into the depths of mysterious and unfamiliar realms. Dante's journey is in the nine circles of Hell, which represent different sins, and the corresponding punishments that come with it. Correspondingly, Dorothy's adventure embarks on a quest along the yellow brick road where she faces different symbolic characters and faces challenges, all of which represent her internal struggles. Both of these realms resemble the character identity in that it shows their true self. Dante’s nine circles of Hell are a product of his imagination based on Virgil's teachings and Christian traditions, and with that his personal beliefs. This is much like how Dorothy’s land of Oz is a result of her imagination showcasing her personal battles as she embarks on the yellow path to find the Wizard.

The characters also share a similarity between their companions. In “Inferno” Dante is guided by a Roman poet, Virgil, who leads him through the nine circles of Hell and explains to Dante the meaning of each circle and the punishment. Much like Dante, Dorothy too has her guides to lead her on the yellow brick road. She is accompanied by a Scarecrow seeking a brain, a Lion seeking courage, and a Tin Man seeking a heart. All of these representations of what Dorothy is lacking (brains, courage, and a heart). These characters in Dorothy’s story mirror the various challenges Dante faces in his Hell. They also have a common goal in their journey which is to find a person that they believe will solve their problems. In Dorothy’s case, she is on the path to reach the Wizard who is supposed to help her get home while Dante is on his journey to not only venture through the depths of Hell, but also to later be reunited with his love, Beatrice, who is supposed to guide him through Paradise as a replacement for Virgil because he is not allowed in Paradise, and eventually back to earth.

Both works use symbolism as an important aspect of their journeys. Dante’s journey is full of it as the nine circles he ventures through represent moral failings which in turn have consequences that are represented in different physical torments. The Wizard of Oz is also full of symbolic characters and destinations that represent virtues. For example, The Emerald City is seen as a symbol of an illusion of power, much like in Dante’s Hell where he faces false promises of earthly desires.

Dante and Dorothy both are on this quest for a common desire: their search for enlightenment. Dante’s purpose of journeying through and overcoming the nine circles of Hell and later also through Purgatory and Paradise because he was feeling misdirected in his mortal life, so he goes on a spiritual quest. Similarly, Dorothy’s journey is to return back home but in order to do that she also has to rediscover herself and confront challenges. Virgil and the Wizard of Oz both play a crucial role in guiding these characters through their transformative journeys and toward self-discovery as they act as mentors and help the characters accomplish their goals.

Lastly, one of the biggest and most obvious similarities is the levels or trials they face in their journeys. In Dante’s case, he faces each of the nine circles which progressively get more and more brutal as he reaches his goal. For example, the first circle, also known as Limbo, is inhabited by those who are unbaptized and can’t ever reach God while the last circle holds those who betrayed friends and must stay frozen in a lake while their mortal bodies are possessed by demons. Dorothy also faces challenges like the Wicked Witch of the West and the flying monkeys, both of which she has to overcome in order to reach the Wizard, who is vital to her goal of going home, much like how Dante has to reach Satan in the last circle of Hell in order to exit it. These trials that the characters face pose as moral and educational challenges and in order to pass them, they must beat an internal struggle they are facing.

In closing, Dante’s “Inferno” and “The Wizard of Oz” are two very different types of genres and directed towards different audiences, they share common themes of self-discovery and determination of a human through trials and tribulations. Both narratives explore similarities between symbolism, enlightenment, setting, and plot. Although the idea of the journeys are quite different in that one is going through literal Hell and the other is venturing on a yellow brick road, they both represent a path that represents human growth and enlightenment.

Works Cited

• Langley, Noel, et al. The Wizard of Oz. Metro Goldwyn Mayer Presents, 1939.
• Mandelbaum, Allen, and Henry W Longfellow. “Digital Dante- The Divine Comedy.” The Divine Comedy – Digital Dante, 1867, digitaldante.columbia.edu/dante/divine-comedy/