Populism in the Wizard of Oz

Introduction

So, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum, written back in 1900, isn't just a kids' story. Many folks think it digs into the political, social, and economic stuff going on at the time. One of the coolest takes on it is that it's connected to the Populist movement of the late 1800s. In this essay, I'll try to show how Baum's story ties into populist ideas, reflecting the struggles and dreams of the American Populist movement.

Populism and the American Context

Populism is all about standing up for regular folks against the elites.

In the late 1800s in the U.S., the Populist movement kicked off because farmers and workers were having a hard time. They wanted changes like bimetallism (using both gold and silver for money), regulating railroads, and breaking up big monopolies and banks.

Symbolism in The Wizard of Oz

Baum’s story is full of symbols that match up with populist ideas. Dorothy, for example, is like the average person—innocent and good-hearted but caught up in a big mess. Her trek on the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City can be seen as regular folks trying to find economic and political fairness.

Then there are the Silver Shoes (not ruby like in the movie), which point to the Populist push for free silver coinage. This was a big deal for them because they thought more money would help farmers and workers with debt and deflation.

Dorothy’s buddies—the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion—each stand for different groups. The Scarecrow thinks he’s dumb, just like how farmers were undervalued. The Tin Man is stuck and rusty, symbolizing how industrial workers were treated badly. The Cowardly Lion is often seen as William Jennings Bryan, a political leader who supported populist ideas but was seen as not tough enough to make them happen.

The Wizard and the Power Structures

The Wizard is tricky. Some say he stands for fake politicians who make big promises but don’t deliver. His big reveal as a regular guy shows how many populists felt let down by their leaders. The Emerald City, with all its sparkle, represents the fake prosperity of the American system, which was actually full of corruption and unfairness.

And the Wicked Witch of the East? She could be the nasty industrialists and bankers who had too much power over regular folks. Dorothy beating her might show the idea that these powerful folks could be taken down by working together and not giving up.

Conclusion

So, in the end, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" is more than just a fun story. It's a deep allegory that reflects the thoughts and feelings of the American Populist movement. Through its characters and symbols, Baum’s work critiques the economic and political issues of his time. By looking at these elements, we can see how literature mirrors real-life struggles and dreams of everyday people in a rapidly changing world.

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