How Old Is Dorothy In The Wizard Of Oz Book

So, How Old Is Dorothy, Anyway?

Ever wondered about Dorothy's age in "The Wizard of Oz"? You're not alone. It's like trying to guess the age of that one friend who's always got that youthful glow - you know, the one who swears they're 27 but you're pretty sure they've been 27 for at least a decade now.

Now, you might be thinking, "Why does it even matter? She's just a kid in a story!" Well, hold your horses, because this is like trying to figure out how old your favorite fictional character is. It's a fun puzzle, and it's not as straightforward as you'd think.

Let's Start at the Beginning

In L. Frank Baum's original 1900 novel, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz", Dorothy is described as a "little Kansas girl". No exact age is given, which is like when your mom says you can have dessert "after you finish your vegetables" - you know it's coming, but you're not quite sure when.

Baum did, however, give us a hint. In the book, Dorothy is "about nine or ten years old". So, she's not a toddler, but she's not a teenager either. She's in that sweet spot where you're old enough to have adventures but still young enough to believe in magic.

But What About the Movie?

Now, let's talk about the 1939 film. You know, the one with the iconic ruby slippers and the catchy tunes. In this version, Dorothy is played by 16-year-old Judy Garland. Talk about a age gap! It's like when your little cousin plays your favorite childhood character in a school play - it's the same character, but somehow, it's not.

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So, why the age difference? Well, it's Hollywood, folks. They wanted a more mature actress to handle the singing and dancing. Plus, let's face it, Judy Garland was a total pro at that age. She'd already been acting since she was a kid herself.

So, Which Is It?

Is Dorothy nine, ten, or sixteen? The truth is, she's all of these ages and none of them at the same time. She's a character who's been reinterpreted and reinvented over the years, like your favorite pair of jeans that you've had since high school but still wear because they're just so darn comfortable.

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In the end, Dorothy's age doesn't really matter. She's a symbol of innocence, courage, and home. She's the friend who's always there for you, no matter how old she (or you) are. And isn't that what makes a character truly timeless?

So, the next time you watch "The Wizard of Oz", don't worry about Dorothy's age. Just enjoy the adventure. After all, we could all use a little more magic in our lives, no matter how old (or young) we are.