How is The Wizard of Oz a traditional fairy tale and how is it not? Are there elements that make the musical particularly American?

There is the traditional narrative quest motif in this story. There is the classic search for information. Dorothy needs to get home, and various items that happen to be human traits. The themes are more complex than the standard fairy tale. Belief in one's self and the nature of good and evil add complexities to the story. The very American ethos of forging one's own identity and struggle against the odds, resonate with many Americans. There is also a very palpable struggle between good and evil.