The Wizard of Oz

 

In looking at these patterns, the Passenger Characters in The Wizard of Oz seem much like the Passenger Characters in Star Wars, with one notable exception. The difference is the "flipping" of Logic and Feeling in relation to Control and Uncontrolled. The Reason and Emotion Characters simply traded places on one Dynamic Pair of Elements in a single Quad. It makes sense that a stereotypical Reason Character would be logical AND controlled. It follows that a stereotypical Emotion Character would be feeling AND uncontrolled. But if you simply flip the Action Characteristics in relation to the Decision Characteristics, far more versatile Characters emerge. You create characters whose approach no longer complements their attitude, but conflicts with it. In a sense, these Characters are made more interesting by creating an inequity within them even as they continue to represent methods of problem solving within the Story Mind.

Looking at the Wizard and the Wicked Witch we see swapping characteristics creates much less stereotypical characters. Rather than a tempter, the Wicked Witch becomes an action-oriented pest. She not only works to prevent Dorothy from achieving her goal but also hinders her every step on the way as well. The Wizard becomes a purely decision-oriented tempter. He represents taking the seemingly easy way out. Through his fearsome reputation, displays, and requests, he also urges Dorothy and her friends to reconsider their decisions. This lack of action characteristics may help explain why the Wizard is so physically absent during most of the story, although his influence is felt throughout. Obviously, the nature of the combinations of characteristics has a great impact on which decisions and actions the audience expects and accepts from an Objective Character.