The Wizard of Oz

Introduction to “The Wizard of Oz” The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is an American children's novel written by author L. Frank Baum and illustrated by W. W. Denslow, originally published by the George M. Hill Company in Chicago on May 17, 1900. However, most of you know it from this 1939 film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSZxmZmBfnU

Allegory To fully understand the Wizard of Oz you must understand the history of America in the 1880s and 90s as well as the concept of allegory. An allegory is a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.

Foundations of Populism Farmer’s Alliance (1870s) Goal: Wanted gov’t to print more money Farmers believed they could charge more if more money was in circulation Result: Led to the organization of the Populist Party National Grange Goal: Regulate railroad rates Result: Interstate Commerce Act (reasonable rates) *1st time federal gov’t passed a law to regulate industry

Populist Party Aka: People’s Party Goal: Result: Alliance of farmers, labor leaders, reformers Goal: Bank regulation, gov’t ownership of railroads, unlimited silver coinage Result: Candidate lost in 1896 election Issues faded as they were resolved

Background During the Gilded Age (economic prosperity for some)  farmers experienced economic downturns. Farmers wanted gov’t ownership of railroads and other industries They were losing land to railroads & banks Economic problems were blamed Pres. Cleveland’s switch from a gold & silver to a gold standard for currency

Populist Movement The Populist movement was born of the farmers frustrations and their attempt to gain political change through politics In 1892 the Populist party was formed and ran a candidate for President, with the following key elements of their platform: A return to the gold and silver standard Government ownership of the railroads

William Jennings Bryan 1896 Presidential Election William McKinley vs. William Jennings Bryan Bryan – Populist candidate in 1896 “You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.” - Bryan

Frank L. Baum Author of the Wizard of Oz Moved to and lived in the Midwest during the late 1800s and saw first hand some of the conditions that the Populist Party was trying to deal with.

The Characters Dorothy Wicked Witch of the East Ruby (Silver) Slippers Yellow Brick Road Emerald City The Scarecrow The Tin Man The Lion Wicked Witch of the West Flying Monkeys The Wizard Glinda (the good witch) Toto Getting Home

Dorothy Represented America--honest and plucky, kindhearted She is lost and trying to find her way home

Wicked Witch of the East

Wicked Witch of the East Represents Eastern Bankers Shows what will happen to them if they continue foreclosures

Ruby (Silver) Slippers Taken from the WWE Represent the silver standard issue

Yellow Brick Road Gold Standard

Emerald City Washington D. C Emerald City Washington D.C. – Where all of the problems are supposed to be solved

The Scarecrow Represents the American farmer--thinks he lacks brains, but in the book he's quite shrewd and helps the journey to D.C. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nauLgZISozs

The Tin Man Represents the alienated working class. Once he was all flesh and blood, now they are just machines in an industrial age. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=louBM-Mix7s

The Lion

The Cowardly Lion Courage (Baum himself) OR William Jennings Bryan (1886 Pres. Candidate vs. McKinley) – “Cross of Gold” speech https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2itQkiQUOE

Wicked Witch of the West

The Wicked Witch of the West Represent s the other opponent of the farmers – nature. What does her death at the hands of Dorothy say about America’s ingenuity to conquer the West/Nature? Killed by water = irony https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aopdD9Cu-So

Flying Monkeys

Flying Monkeys Represent the plains Indians who continued to swoop down and harass the Midwest They work with Nature and thus for the Wicked Witch of the West in this allegory.

The Wizard Probably Pres. Cleveland, hated for taking away the Sherman Silver Purchase Act. Behind curtain pulling levers--machine politics controlling things. Only provides the heroes with symbolic rewards.

Glinda (The Good Witch)

Glinda Represents the Southern Populists The answer is there all the time – realization of the importance of silver will show the farmers, and America, the way home

Toto Prohibition Party (also called the “Tea Totalers”) a nickname: TOTO

Getting Home To get home, all you had to do was click the ruby (silver) slippers on the Yellow Brick Road (gold & silver standard) to get home