The Wizard of Oz and the Gilded Age
Was Frank Baum's children's book really an allegory for the 1890's? Or was he really just writing a story for children of the times? Baum denied until his death that his work was anything other than a piece of fiction for the enjoyment of children. However, some critics feel that his denials are tongue in cheek. Similarities can certainly be drawn between the Wizard of Oz and the period known as the Gilded Age. . However, it is interesting that Baum was not known amongst his contemporaries as a political thinker, nor did anyone at the time rally around the book for it's political statements. It wasn't until later that historians began noticing the political implications of the Wizard of Oz. (continued)
Interesting Fact : The Gilded Age is a phrase historians use to identify the period of history from the end of the Civil War to the turn of the century, spanning reconstruction, and the start of the industrial revoluation. The term Gilded Age was coined by Mark Twain, another popular fictional writer, who penned the children's classic Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer. Unlike Baum, he was clearly motivated to speak politically. The reference to "gild" can be traced back to William Shakespeare, who was also known for hiding political meaning in HIS writing - "To gild refined gold, to paint the lily... is wasteful and ridiculous excess." During the Gilded Age, many Americans made their fortune on the railroad and industry, and those who weren't making any money were envious and felt that the moguls were gilding the lilly.
If we are to believe that the Wizard of Oz is full of symbols about the 1890's, OZ is an abbreviation for ounce, the silver slippers represent the silver standard, the yellow brick road is gold, the Emerald City is the mighty
dollar or greenbacks. Dorothy's name sounds like Theodore backwards, as in Teddy Roosevelt. The tin man, then is the factory worker, the scarecrow the farmer, and the cyclone as a way to bring about prosperity. The Cowardly Lion is William Jennings Bryan. Of course those in power prior to Dorothy's arrival had been wicked, and the Munchkins represent the little people, or the common man. Of course, there are as many flaws in the debate as similarities, and many people disagree with the idea that The Wizard of Oz is anything more than a fairy tale. Most obvious is that, while in theory, the book is pro-populist, Baum's own political actions and historical records do not reflect the allegory of the book. Using the Wizard of Oz as a Teaching Tool
The Wizard of Oz is very useful for teaching Populism and the Gilded Age, even though historically, the theory does not hold water. It applies to both history and economics, depending on the age and grade of the students, who are often entertained by the lesser known interpretation of a popular story. Students could either read or watch the original movie and then discuss how various characters actions are influenced by Populism and the Gilded Age.
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