Dorothy Gale, the iconic character in The Wizard of Oz movie, was envisioned to be 12 years old. While her exact age is not stated in L. Frank Baum's original book, later books in the series suggest she might have been even younger.
Understanding Dorothy's Age in Different Contexts
The perception of Dorothy's age can vary depending on whether you're considering the classic film, the original literary work, or the age of the actress who portrayed her.
- In the Movie Adaptation: For the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy Gale was intended to be a 12-year-old girl. This age helps establish her innocence and youthful perspective as she embarks on her extraordinary journey through Oz.
- In L. Frank Baum's Books: Interestingly, the author L. Frank Baum never explicitly states Dorothy's age in his initial book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. However, subsequent books in the series, which continued Dorothy's adventures, subtly imply she was even younger than 12 when her first adventure began.
- The Actress's Age: Judy Garland, who famously brought Dorothy to life on screen, was 16 years old during the filming of The Wizard of Oz. This was four years older than the character she was portraying.
To clarify these different perspectives, consider the following table:
| Aspect | Detail | Age/Context |
|---|---|---|
| Dorothy in the Movie | Character's intended age | 12 years old |
| Dorothy in the Books | L. Frank Baum's original novel | Age not explicitly stated |
| Later books in the series | Hinted to be even younger than 12 | |
| Judy Garland | Actress during filming | 16 years old |
This distinction highlights how a character's conceptual age can differ from both the literary source and the actor's real age, offering a more comprehensive understanding of Dorothy's portrayal.
