A talisman is an object that is believed to possess magical powers and bring good luck or protection to its owner. Talismans have been used for centuries in various cultures and religions around the world. They can be made of different materials such as stones, metals, or even wood. The purpose of a talisman varies depending on its design and the beliefs of the person using it. Some people use talismans for protection against evil spirits or negative energy, while others use them to attract good fortune, love, or success. Talismans can also be used for healing purposes or for enhancing specific qualities or abilities.
She is seen watching Dorothy, Scarecrow, and Toto from behind the tree. Then she is on the rooftop of the cabin confronting Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman, and Toto. She threatens Scarecrow to stuff a mattress with him, and she also threatens Tinman to use him for a beehive. The Witch taunted Scarecrow to play ball, then she threw a fireball at him, then cackled and disappeared.
She decides to cast a spell to poison them with the poppies, those flowers that put Dorothy, Toto, and Lion to sleep, but Glinda awakens them with snow, much to the Witch s anger, knowing that somebody always helping Dorothy. During filming, she was given uppers to keep her lively, and then she was given downers to sleep a bit before being called back to set to do it all again.
Talismans can also be used for healing purposes or for enhancing specific qualities or abilities. The belief in talismans is deeply rooted in the human desire to control or influence the natural forces around us. It is a way to tap into the supernatural and seek assistance or guidance in various aspects of life.
'Oz the Great and Powerful' Vs. 'The Wizard of Oz' Vs. 'Wicked': Breaking Down the Monkeys, Witches and Yellow Brick Roads
You know the Wizard of Oz is wonderful, great and powerful. Victor Fleming's "The Wizard of Oz" has been telling us that for generations. But what was Oz like before Dorothy and her little dog arrived from Kansas and shook things up?
The world of Oz created by children's author L. Frank Baum is so rich with storytelling possibilities that other writers have offered enchanting prequels of their own. The Broadway sensation "Wicked" focuses on the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West, while Sam Raimi's new movie "Oz the Great and Powerful" explores how the Wizard came to Oz, greatness and power.
As someone whose experienced both the thrill of seeing "Wicked" on Broadway and the exhilaration of Raimi's 3D journey into Oz, I've compiled a string of comparisons on how each of these dueling prequels tap into the iconography we all know and love.
Be warned, there are SPOILERS for both "Wicked" and "Oz the Great and Powerful" ahead.
Land of Oz
In "The Wizard of Oz," the citizens of Oz live in perpetual fear of the Wicked Witch, despite the best efforts of Glinda the Good Witch and the Wizard. Festively dressed Munchkins hide in tiny villages as she and her sister's cruel flying monkeys rain terror all along the Yellow Brick Road.
In "Wicked," we see familiar locations like the witch's castle, Munchkinland and the Emerald City. But we're also shown that Oz is changing. Anthropomorphic animals that have long talked, taught and functioned as members of the community are being caged and literally made speechless.
In "Oz the Great and Powerful," Raimi takes the opportunity to expand Oz beyond the poppy fields and Yellow Brick Road, revealing glowing-eyed Venus flytraps, a "chinatown" populated by living porcelain dolls, river fairies with razor-sharp teeth and a tribe of genius tinkers who can build anything imaginable. But it's a place terrorized by an evil witch . though her identity is a mystery.
The Witches
In both prequels, we're treated to the Witch with her trademark green skin, pointed black hat and broom. In "Wicked" she starts out green but kind-hearted. "Oz the Great and Powerful" introduces her as beautiful and peach-skinned, but with a fiery temper that soon spurs her to change inside and out for the worse.
The former deals in moral ambiguity; the latter paints her as born to be bad. "Wicked" presents the Witch as a misunderstood outcast; "Oz the Great and Powerful" shows her as evil to her core with the cackle to prove it. Similarly, Glinda is less good/more complex in "Wicked" and nothing but sweetness and light in "Oz."
The Wizard
In "The Wizard of Oz," the man behind the curtain is revealed to be essentially a con man from Kansas with no powers but a penchant for thoughtful gift-giving. This approach is closely followed in "Oz the Great and Powerful," as Oscar 'Oz' Diggs starts off a as womanizing scoundrel and sideshow magician who plays the people of Oz for his own ends until he sees the light . well, rather, Glinda.
Where Raimi's movie shows the will-be wizard's arrival to Oz, "Wicked" has him already ruling over it. At the play's start, he's an idol to the young and not-yet-wicked Witch . that is, until she discovers his evil plan to make Oz more like his homeland, striking its animal citizens dumb and forcing conformity. Here his wonderfulness is all smoke and mirrors.
Monkeys
The chattering minions of the Witch in "The Wizard of Oz" also get an origin in "Wicked." There she creates them at the command of the wizard to show him her incredible prowess in spell casting. Regrettably, it's a spell she can't undo.
"Oz the Great and Powerful" presents two forms of flying primate. The first is a chipper, chatty monkey in a bellhop's uniform who proves to be one of Oscar's closest allies; the others are big, bat-winged baboons who gleefully ravage the good people of Oz at the command of the Wicked Witch.
Dorothy & Company
"Wicked" serves as an origin story not just for the witches and flying monkeys but also for the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion. The Witch creates each in a well-meaning but flawed attempt at heroism. As for Dorothy, her arrival via falling house proves key to the plot, though she's never seen on stage.
"Oz the Great and Powerful" predates "The Wizard of Oz" by at least 16 years in the connective chronology, so there's no Dorothy here (though we do meet her mom). Oscar is sort of given credit for the creation of Dorothy's friends, having declared a lion a "coward" after scaring him off with a smoke bomb, and urging the tinkers to make metal men dressed as scarecrows (these later two are more nods to "The Wizard of Oz" than thorough allusions, though). In the end, this one is all about Oscar becoming the titular Great and Powerful Oz.
In reality, Margaret Hamilton was nothing like the green-faced witch, but children couldn't separate her from the character. Reportedly, kids would often come up to the actress and ask why she'd been so mean to Dorothy in the film. That children saw her as the cruel character bothered Hamilton so much she actively took steps to change that. In 1975, Hamilton appeared on an episode of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" and changed into a witch costume to explain that The Wicked Witch was a character. She also visited schools and speak to children about the role and, if they asked, give them another glimpse of The Wicked Witch:
Talismans are often associated with religious or spiritual beliefs, as they are believed to be imbued with sacred attributes or blessings. The design of a talisman is usually symbolic and meaningful, incorporating specific shapes, colors, or patterns that are believed to have a particular significance or power. For example, a talisman designed for protection may feature symbols of strength or ward off evil, such as a horseshoe or an eye. A love talisman may incorporate symbols of passion or romance, such as a heart or a pair of intertwined rings. Talismans can be worn as jewelry, carried in a pocket or purse, or displayed in a home or office. They are often personalized and chosen based on individual preferences, beliefs, or specific needs. Some people believe that the power of a talisman can be enhanced by performing rituals or by charging it with positive energy or intention. In summary, a talisman is a magical object that is believed to have specific powers or qualities. It is used for various purposes such as protection, good luck, or attracting positive energy. Talismans are deeply rooted in human beliefs and can be found in different cultures and religions around the world..
Reviews for "The psychology of talismans: why do we believe in their power?"
1. John - 1 star
I found "What is the talisman about" to be incredibly dull and lacking any sort of excitement or originality. The story was overly predictable, and the characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the story or the characters. Overall, I was very disappointed and did not enjoy this book at all.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
I struggled to get through "What is the talisman about" as I found the pacing to be extremely slow. The plot seemed to drag on, with little action or suspense to keep me engaged. Additionally, the writing style felt clumsy and awkward, with excessive descriptions that only served to further slow down the story. While I appreciate that this may be a matter of personal preference, I found the book to be rather lackluster and it did not live up to my expectations.
3. Emily - 2 stars
"What is the talisman about" failed to captivate me as a reader. The premise seemed interesting, but the execution fell flat. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard to become emotionally invested in their journey. The narrative also suffered from inconsistencies and plot holes, leaving me with more questions than answers. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and would not recommend it to others.