The Allegory of Oz - a Populist Theory

1. The Allegory of Oz-aPopulist Theory

2. Kansas Farmhouse • Farmers had tried to establish third parties in the past with the Farmers’ Alliance Party and National Farmers’ Party • Farmers made up the Populist Party. They had been ignored by Govt. during the Industrial Revolution. They promoted a departure from hard currency to “greenbacks” as a change in monetary policy; wanted govt. to regulate businesses and general reform.

3. Dorothy • A symbol of female courage, strength, and leadership capabilities in a society where women were not allowed to vote, sit on juries, or hold public office in a male-dominated world.

4. Uncle Henry and all other males in Kansas • Sympathetic to Suffrage but powerless to change it (male-dominated society) • While all of the men in Dorothy’s life were sympathetic to her plight, they lacked the (political) will to effect any change that would help her.

5. The Tornado • Destruction for the farmer- economically after the Civil War- was an ongoing problem. It was a decline of a rigid monetary policy with a rapidly growing Industrial Revolution, sometimes referred to as the “Long Depression”. First with the Panic of 1873, following with an even worse depression of 1893.

6. The Farmhouse Landing on the Wicked Witch of the East • The rise of the Populist Regulations ending Laisezz-Faire (hands-off) policy, and regulation begins to rule the affairs of commerce.

7. The Land of Oz • Symbolizes the promise of a better life with the Industrial Revolution,but was it? With modern inventions and advances in the scientific and where processed food grows on trees, it is a type of Utopia, and society can only benefit- although the scary reality is much different than the promise.

8. Munchkins • Represent ordinary citizens whose only power is voting. They have very few choices in political reality, and only by chance (the house falling on the witch- a freak accident) can save them. They are viewed as a group easily scared and controllable.

9. Normal-sized females Oz • a symbol of future power for the female once Women’s Suffrage is achieved. However, the power can be both used for good or for evil.

10. Silver slippers • (in the book they weren’t ruby)Silver was one of the two metals used for money(in the bi-metallic monetary standard). Dorothy needed them to leave OZ

11. Yellow Brick Road • Gold was the other metal used for money(in the bimetallic standard). Once over the rainbow she must walk on the path of gold w/silver slippers

12. The Name “OZ” • The measure for the value for gold and silver is an ounce; the abbreviation for ounce is oz

13. The Scarecrow • Represents the farmer. The agricultural community still today is considered less intellectual, and not modern. Often the South is depicted as ignorant and unintelligent. Thus the scarecrow complains that he has no brain, although he was the cleverest of all of Dorothy’s friends

14. Tin Man • The back story behind the tin man is that he was employed by the witch to kill his fellow workers. Because of this he was cursed and began as flesh and blood but lopped off all of his limbs with his ax, until he was only tin.He represents the workers of the Industrial Revolution, in which many people lost there limbs and r lives in factories, and the Industrial Revolution itself is viewed as inhumane. Thus, why the tin man has no heart.

15. The Cowardly Lion • Represents those in high office who should change status quo, but are afraid to do so(lose support of those with money therefore they have no courage to do so. Reform of time-honored policies of Laissez-Fair (hands off towards business and commerce) was needed. Many scholars believe the Lion is William Jennings Bryan, but I think this is too specific, and he was never elected

16. The Poppy Field Opium trade ring. Opium is derived from poppies and had long been a problem in Europe and Asia. The U.S. had no regulation of drugs at this point in history, and people could buy Laudanum (an opiate drug) at the store. It was a global problem of addiction, and eventually the govt. began to regulate food processing and narcotics that could be abused with the Food & Drug Admin. This was a result of scientific advances, and research and development needed by govt. Interestingly the witch casts a spell on the field using dust where they fall into a drugged sleep.

17. Emerald City • The promise of ease found in an urban metropolis. It is another type of Utopia promised by the Industrial Revolution.However it is an illusion. Urban centers were overcrowded, and filthy. As attractive as Emerald City seemed to be, it was not safe from the witch, and Dorothy still longed to go home. Dorothy had to go there to seek powerful leadership, so some scholars believe Emerald City is Washington D.C.

18. Path of Gold • Historically the farmers of the Populist party staged a march to D.C. (they wanted silver) and so they had to take the “path of gold” (use their own money, and they literally walked to Washington D.C.-which many experts interpret as Emerald City. So Dorothy walking on the path of gold to Emerald City symbolizes this march. They wanted reform to come from govt., and Dorothy symbolizes REFORM

19. The Wicked Witch • the driving force of greed and power behind the abuse of the Ind. Rev.From child labor to political bribery to intimidating reform and legitimate leaders. Many scholars believe the East Witch represented the Railroad Robber Barons and how the railroads run from east to west. “Just bc you own half the county doesn’t mean you can rule the rest of us” (Auntie Em to Mrs. Gulch)

20. Why did the Witch have to Possess the Slippers? • The witch also represents the greed of the “Robber Barons”. Although the Industrial Captains have thousands at their disposal, they want to uphold gold as a monetary standard to continue the status quo and keep from disturbing their own wealth. Going off the gold standard was a giant unknown, and they feared it had the potential to topple their own mountains of wealth.

21. Populism changes American Policy • Populists demanded a graduated income tax • The U.S. never taxed income before the 16th Amendment • Graduated means that you are taxed a percentage, and that percentage increases with your income

22. The Colored Horses U.S. politics had for so long enjoyed leaders who wanted to serve their country in a genuine act of statesmanship which represented the will of the people. By the 20th Century one begins to see a shift, a type of political expedience where politicians will do or say anything, will become whatever shade of “color” necessary to get elected, and no one knows their “true colors”, just like the horse of many colors.

23. The All-Green Clothing in Emerald City everyone is dressed in green in Emerald City. This represents the public’s desire for “greenbacks”

24. The Wizard-Government • He blows smoke, and strikes fear in common folk, but it is only an image projected. Behind the green curtain it is just an ordinary man creating an illusion. Govt. is really is the one without a heart, brain, or courage, and needs Dorothy and her friends to slay evil for him. “He” is powerless to do anything, because it’s really in the hands of the people. Some scholars believe this is President McKinley. Again, I think that is too specific. “Farmer” Jim Ferguson is elected as governor of because of populism.

25. The Flying Monkeys • possibly a depiction of child labor, doing all the work for the wicked witch. Many industries would employ children to get where adults could not fit and do jobs that were dangerous (chimney sweeps). Or slavery/Native Americans

26. Witch’s Castle • In the book it has 7 stairways and 3 halls that Dorothy must travail. Dorothy is panicked when she is imprisoned there. Put 7 and 3 together (73) and you have: • The Panic of ’73.

27. Toto • Possibly the Temperance Society(a group of tea-totaling women). Temperance ushers in prohibition-banning the manufacture and sale of alcohol.Encouraging “Texas Bootlegging” • The witch wants to get rid of Toto, because Toto encourages Dorothy to do brave things: Toto escapes from Miss Gulch’s basket, gives Dorothy the idea to run away, steals the magician’s hot-dog, escapes the witch’s castle and spear-attacks, leads the others back to the castle to help Dorothy, and exposes the Wizard as a fraud. He also runs after a cat at the end, causing Dorothy to miss the Wizard’s hot-air balloon and forcing her to see that the power to return home was within her.

28. What Threat Does Dorothy Pose? • REFORM!!! The threat is to destroy the status quo of political climate- from a non-regulating govt. towards business, to women attaining some political power, and reform on commerce, politics, and society.

29. Why does water melt the witch? • Water is a symbol of purity, and this represents individuals having power to decide good over evil