Personal Path of "Over the Rainbow"
As noted in my introduction for my final project, much of the appeal of “Over the Rainbow” is the many meanings that the song can represent. I also discuss how it is scientifically proven that real life rainbows are unique to each person who sees them. “Over the Rainbow” was made famous by the movie The Wizard of Oz. Like the song, the movie also gives people an ability to interpret the meaning in a unique way that is inspiring to them.
An article titled “Why Is the Wizard of Oz So Wonderful” notes that generations of people have been inspired by the movie and summarizes this well: “Perhaps the potency of the Oz story lies not in a specific interpretation of its meaning, but in its ability to serve as a blank canvas for so many kinds of American fantasies” (Onion 2021).
The Wizard of Oz and “Over the Rainbow” have always been very meaningful and a source of inspiration for me. Dorothy is an ordinary girl and she gives herself permission to dream big dreams. Like Dorothy, in many ways, I always considered myself an ordinary girl, but I also have big aspirations.
No one in my family has ever gone to an Ivy League school or any prestigious university. Being at Cornell is a dream come true to me and I am so inspired by what I am learning so far. Recently, I was walking through campus and “Over the Rainbow” was playing from the clock tower and this tremendous feeling of realization came over me as this class has given me an opportunity to reflect on the song and what it means to me and my own hopes and dreams.
My cover of “Over the Rainbow” set to the scenery of Cornell’s campus is representative of my hopes and dreams for the future and what I want to accomplish. I am studying Biology and I aspire to eventually go to medical school. For an ordinary girl, that is a big dream.
I would also note that the movie Wicked, a prequel to The Wizard of Oz is being released in a few weeks and while I am excited to see it personally, I’m even more excited that a whole new generation of “ordinary” children will likely be inspired to watch the original movie and find their own inspiration in “Over the Rainbow.”
Description of Video
The video I plan to make accompanying my acapella cover of “Over the Rainbow” will be in the form of an iMovie. As the song progresses, different images of the Cornell campus will showcase my idea of what “Over the Rainbow” means to me. For example, Cornell’s slope is an image I definitely want to include as this is a wide open space of reflection for many. I will also include my future aspirations with images of me in scientific settings such as in a laboratory and performing/presenting research. These images will help to convey my further aspirations and continuation of being inspired by my own meaning of “Over the Rainbow.” Additionally, I would like to include some images from my childhood in various Wizard of Oz costumes and in performances, representing previous experiences before some of my later aspirations.
This page has paths:
- Wicked: A Prequel to the Wizard of Oz and its Upcoming Release Leanna Trefcer
- Popularity on IZ's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" Leanna Trefcer
- Homepage Leanna Trefcer