Released in 1939, The Wizard of Oz quickly became one of the most historically significant movie productions ever released. Considered to be one of the first successful colored films, Dorothy and Toto stole the hearts of Americans as they traveled into a magical world of bright visuals, exciting new creatures, and exhilarating adventures. The Wizard of Oz was not only successful for its plot line, however. Subconsciously, the fact that Dorothy is sleeping in her bed back in Kansas during the duration of the movie adds to the classic effect.After Dorothy is knocked unconscious during a tornado back on her home farm, she drifts away into the land of Oz. As the movie switches from black and white to color during this moment, it becomes extremely clear that within a dream, everything becomes possible. While Dorothy does not realize she is dreaming during the storm, she does obtain the ability to speak to magical beings and act heroically to save the day from the wicked witch. One of the most overlooked messages from the movie is that dreams are a place of escape, discovery, and resolution. Without dreaming, Dorothy may not have had the capability to unravel her unconscious stresses and defeat her metaphorical nemesis.
In 2010, the movie Inception was released and continued popularizing the infinite inner-workings of dreams. Considerably more dense, Inception lays its plot within the idea that dreams within dreams (and lucid dreaming) can carry a power unlike any other. While lucid dreaming may not actually give you this type of experience, it is intriguing to note how revered it is by Hollywood.
These few examples of dreams being utilized as a frameworks for past and modern works showcase the significance society places on dreams. To gain as much as possible from your own dreams requires the descipline to recognize when they are occuring, to record details, and to analyze its meaning when conscious. If all of these things can be accomplished, then you too may see the world in a brand new color!
Next week, I plan on detailing the scientific research currently being conducted on the practice of lucid dreaming. Most importantly, I wish to generate more confidence in trying to learn the ability and reassure you, the reader, that anyone can accomplish this goal. Feel free to send me comments or contact me in person if you have any more questions regarding how to make that last jump to truly dream in the most beneficial way possible.
Image Credits (in order of appearance):
Image provided by Sam Howzit
Image provided by Pierre-Alexandre Garneau
Nice post on the pop culture of dreams. Both films take diffrnet takes to the whole idea of dreams and its interisting to think about thest two vastly diffrent films under the guide of both are dreams.
ReplyDeleteThe wizard of Oz is a great movie, and I like how it ends that she was dreaming at the end, or so it seems. I have never seen Inception, but it sounds interesting, and confusing. I really liked your post and how you related lucid dreaming to entertainment.
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