What are political interpretations of the characters in The Wizard of Oz?

Answer 1

It is a theory, but the odds are stacked in favor of that theory. The midgets could be considered the 'little people' (citizens of America); The scarecrow has no brain (the farmers); The lion needs courage (politicians); The 'red slippers' are silver slippers in the original book (silver being injected into the economy (carried down the yellow brick ((gold)) road)); The wicked witch of the east, house lands on her (declining house values in the east); The good witch of the north (the north is the so called 'savior').

Answer 2

Any political meaning varies with the audience of "The Wizard of Oz."

Specifically, neither the author nor the film makers ever made any definitive statement regarding any possible respective political meanings of the original 1900 book edition or the beloved 1939 film version of "The Wizard of Oz." But great literature and Classic Movies lend themselves to the seeking and finding of meanings and symbols far beyond those articulated or intended by their creators. In this regard, those who seek political meanings find political meaning through finding Populist Party symbolism in America's much loved first fairy tale and Depression/New Deal symbolism in America's beloved film version of that popular children's story.

Answer 3

I hate to say it, but yes. The title character is a demagogue and to put it mildly vest-pocket Dictator ( like Castro). He relies on amplifiers and all sorts of deceptive devices to keep up appearances and power. Obviously amplifiers were shown in the movie when Dorothy finally enters his (Palace). The usage of the Yellow Brick Road ( Gold bullion?)- Emerald City ( green stuff) and even the word OZ- standard abbreviation for an Ounce ( Gold, Silver, etc). have economic overtones. I have heard it argued- that Baum laid the seed that Orwell hatched! George Orwell, of course created l984.

Answer 4

No, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" is not an allegory based on the economic and political problems of big business in the late 1800's.

Specifically, it appears that the book by Lyman Frank Baum (May 15, 1856 - May 6, 1919) lends itself to such an interpretation. But such an interpretation is not consistent in the symbols chosen or in the meanings given to those symbols. Additionally, the author is not on record for any intent or purpose other than what is memorialized on the prefatory page to the original 1900 book edition: That the book is an American fairytale for the delightful reading of children everywhere.

Answer 5

According to author and Oz series originator Lyman Frank Baum [May 15, 1856-May 5, 1919], The Wizard of Oz is an American fairy tale for the enjoyment of children. But there are those who see within Baum's work representations and symbols that aren't acknowledged in his writings as among his overt intentions. One interpretation is the political representation of Baum's royal history of the beautiful, enchanted, magical lands and peoples of Oz. That interpretation is couched in the Populist terms of the 1890s, when Baum already may have been working out characters and plots in the decade before publishing the first of 14 books in his Oz series. According to the interpretation, Dorothy Gale represents the level-headed, everyday American. In Toto, some see the Teetotalers against losing hard-earned money to alcoholic drink. The Scarecrow is the American farmer, who has much more common sense than educated brains. The Tin Woodman is the American worker, who is driven by the money and power holders to work ever harder, ever faster, ever better until he's nothing more than their machine. The Cowardly Lion is William Jennings Bryan [March 19, 1860-July 26, 1925], the Populist Party's presidential candidate in the late 19th-early 20th centuries. He fought for the rights of the common people, and for free coinage of silver, for release from the deathly grip of the bankers and industrialists. In fact, the symbol of that money standard is the pair of Silver Slippers, that have the secret power to allay the scary, rough, bumpy trek down the gold standard route of the Yellow Brick Road. The book ends with the Slippers being lost in the desert, in the transition from the magical world of Oz to the real world of Kansas. Likewise, in the transition from political economic theory to political economic realities, arguments for free coinage of silver ended in 1900, which was the year in which The Wizard of Oz was published. The journey of the five friends down the Road represents the walk of Jacob Sechler Coxey, Sr. [April 16, 1854-May 18, 1951], with unemployed farmers, disaster-struck farmers, and Populist politicians, to petition the President to provide for their needs. The Emerald City therefore is Washington, D.C.The Wizard is the President of the United States, and therefore tries to make people think that he can give them what they want and need. The Winged Monkeys are the aborigines, who belong to the land, and don't want to leave it. For they consider themselves the originally free residents of the land until the Wizard drops out of the skies, and into national government, be it Oz of the book or the United States of the real world. And the Wicked Witch of the West represents the cruel natural forces that so plague the farmers with cyclones, droughts, and other environmental stresss. Drought is a major environmental stressor, what with its aiding and abetting role in wildfires. Is it no wonder that the Witch's life, and the slings and arrows of outrageous nature, can be ended with a bucket of lifesaving water?

Answer 6

It is not known whether or not the characters in "The Wizard of Oz" are based on politics.

Specifically, author and Oz series originator Lyman Frank Baum (May 15, 1856 - May 6, 1919) is down on record for only one interpretation of "The Wizard of Oz." In his preface, he identifies his purpose as the writing of the first American fairytale. Additionally, he says that he seeks for children to be left with fun and enjoyable memories from the experiences of his characters in the beautiful, enchanted, magical land of Oz. There is no mention of politics in that preface or anywhere else in the papertrail left by the Oz series author.