Meaning Behind the Wizard of Oz Adult Populism or Children’s Fantasy
William Jennings Bryan § During that campaign Bryan gave the speech that concluded: "You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold“ § Thus, William Jennings Bryan became the basis for the Cowardly Lion character, who had a loud roar but little bite
The Working Class § Unemployment caused havoc, desperation and union militancy among the urban working class § Lacking another trade, he "worked harder than ever“ § The worker becomes like a machine, incapable of love
The Populists § The Populists wanted government ownership and operation of the railroads, a graduated income tax, and silver coinage § Kansas was a leading Populist state § Alliance between farmers and workers was no more powerful than a “Scarecrow”
Dorothy Gale § Dorothy was an orphan who had been taken in by Uncle Henry § She is good, not precious, and she thinks quite naturally about others § Dorothy wishes for a better life "somewhere over the rainbow“…her adventure is to find her "American dream"
Silver Slippers § Dorothy’s silver shoes were changed to ruby in the 1939 movie § The original meaning was the gold standard versus the silver standard § She was innocent enough to see the truth before the others
Witches of Oz § The Wicked Witch of the East symbolizes the large industrial corporations and eastern finance § Despite these forces, the mark of goodness, placed on Dorothy's forehead by the Witch of the North, serves as protection for Dorothy
Yellow Brick Road § The alliance between the farmers (The Scarecrow) and the urban workers (the Tinman) was a fantasy § Along with Bryan (the Cowardly), Dorothy had been taken down the yellow brick road (the gold standard) that leads nowhere
Emerald City § Our characters journeyed to the Emerald City (the Capitol) seeking favors from the government § Those who enter the Emerald City must wear green glasses § The Emerald City is a clear symbol for the White House
Wizard of Oz § Like all good politicians, the Wizard can be all things to all people § "They believe I am something terrible“ § The powers-that-be can only remain at the throne through deception and allowing the powerful to manipulate them
Dorothy’s Cyclone § Dorothy is whisked away by a cyclone which in the Greek translation represents a coil or snake or serpent. So, it is the serpent who takes Dorothy to Oz § A fearsome cyclone that lifts Dorothy into "a country of marvelous beauty”
Munchkins of Oz § The Wicked Witch of the East kept the little Munchkin people "in bondage…making them slave for her night and day“ § The Munchkins are the little people, ordinary citizens on the losing side of an election
Dorothy’s Dog “Toto” § “Toto was a little black dog, with long silky hair and small black eyes that twinkled merrily on either side of his funny nose” § In the first book, Toto never spoke, although other animals, native to Oz, did speak
Flying Monkeys § Native Americans of the plains are symbolized in the Oz stories as the Winged Monkeys § "Once we were a free people, living happily in the great forest…before Oz came out of the clouds to rule over this land
Uncle Henry § “Uncle Henry never laughed…he was gray from his long beard to his boots, he looked stern and solemn, and rarely spoke” § Henry mortgaged his farm in order to rebuild § This crisis took a toll on his health
Passenger Hot Air Balloon § In the television program Lost, the character Benjamin Linus initially tells survivors his name is Henry Gale § Passenger balloons are filled with hot air, symbolizing how dreams vanish
L. Frank Baum § Baum was born near Syracuse, N. Y. , in 1856 to a wealthy family and enjoyed success writing plays § In 1887, he moved to Chicago, where he continued to write and where he authored The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in 1900
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