92: Two Best Friends pt.2: THAT Girl

The story centers on Dorothy Gale, a young girl from Kansas who is swept away by a cyclone to the magical Land of Oz. There, she meets the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion, each seeking something from the elusive Wizard of Oz. Along their journey, they face numerous trials and eventually discover that the Wizard is a humbug. Dorothy learns to use the magical power of her silver shoes to return home to Kansas.

In 'Wicked', Gregory Maguire delves into the life of Elphaba, the green-skinned girl who becomes the infamous Wicked Witch of the West. The story begins with Elphaba's childhood, marked by her unique appearance and her father's missionary work in Quadling country. As she grows older, Elphaba attends Shiz University, where she meets Galinda, who will later become Glinda. The novel follows Elphaba's journey through her involvement in resistance against the Wizard, her personal struggles, and her eventual transformation into the Wicked Witch. Maguire's narrative explores themes of social class, political oppression, and the nature of evil, creating a rich and vivid world that challenges the traditional view of Oz[1][3][4].

In 'Young Man Luther,' Erik Erikson conducts a psychoanalytic examination of Martin Luther's early life, particularly the period between 1505 and 1512 when Luther was in his mid-20s. Erikson argues that Luther's severe identity problems, influenced by his strict upbringing, his relationship with his father, and the medieval cultural and religious context, played a crucial role in his eventual rebellion against the Catholic Church. The book explores key events in Luther's life, such as his decision to become a monk against his father's wishes and his 'fit in the choir,' which Erikson interprets as a critical moment in Luther's identity crisis. Erikson's analysis highlights how Luther's personal struggles and existential questions shaped his religious and reformative endeavors.