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'''''The Wizard of Oz''''' is a very popular children's book written by L. Frank Baum in 1900, which started a [[Oz series|series]].  Baum himself adapted the book into a successful Broadway musical (1902), and others adapted it into a movie (1939).  There have been many later film and dramatic spinoffs, as well as books, trinkets and toys based on the Wizard and the other memorable characters.   

'''''The Wizard of Oz''''' is a very popular children's book written by L. Frank Baum in 1900, which started a [[Oz series|series]].  Baum himself adapted the book into a successful Broadway musical (1902), and others adapted it into a movie (1939).  There have been many later film and dramatic spinoffs, as well as books, trinkets and toys based on the Wizard and the other memorable characters.   

Dorothy, the Wizard, the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, Cowardly Lion, flying monkeys, Munchkins, the yellow brick road, the dream city of Oz, Toto--and especially the Wicked Witch--have become icons of American popular culture. They appear regularly in editorial cartoons and the funny papers and even in everyday conversation. Political cartoonists used the Wizard image as early as 1906; in recent years Wizard themes appear in editorial cartoons on a weekly basis in the U.S.

Dorothy, the Wizard, the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, Cowardly Lion, flying monkeys, Munchkins, the yellow brick road, the dream city of Oz, Toto—and especially the Wicked Witch—have become icons of American popular culture. They appear regularly in editorial cartoons and the funny papers and even in everyday conversation. Political cartoonists used the Wizard image as early as 1906; in recent years Wizard themes appear in editorial cartoons on a weekly basis in the U.S.

Academics, especially economists and historians, use the story to study the images of politics and economics in the U.S. in the 1890s.  Several hundred college level economics courses feature a unit on the Wizard of Oz to analyze money policy.

Academics, especially economists and historians, use the story to study the images of politics and economics in the U.S. in the 1890s.  Several hundred college level economics courses feature a unit on the Wizard of Oz to analyze money policy.

The author was L. Frank Baum (1856-1919); the illustrator of the 1900 book and 1902 play was editorial W. W. Denslow (1856-1915).<ref> see Michael Patrick Hearn, "The Man Behind the Man Behind Oz: W. W. Denslow at 150,"  ''AIGA'' (July 05, 2006) at [http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/the-man-behind-the-man-behind-oz-w-w-denslow-at-150]</ref> The book was a runaway best seller, though the two coauthors became alienated, and both went bankrupt.  Baum recouped by moving to Hollywood and writing a new series of Oz books; the series was continued after his death in 1919, with 40 Oz books in all. The first book became a smash Chicago hit musical in 1902 and moved to Broadway in 1903. Best known is the unusually successful Hollywood movie adaptation of 1939, starring Frank Morgan  as the Wizard and [[Judy Garland]] as Dorothy.  

The author was L. Frank Baum (1856-1919); the illustrator of the 1900 book and 1902 play was editorial W. W. Denslow (1856-1915).<ref>see Michael Patrick Hearn, "The Man Behind the Man Behind Oz: W. W. Denslow at 150,"  ''AIGA'' (July 05, 2006) at [http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/the-man-behind-the-man-behind-oz-w-w-denslow-at-150]</ref> The book was a runaway best seller, though the two coauthors became alienated, and both went bankrupt.  Baum recouped by moving to Hollywood and writing a new series of Oz books; the series was continued after his death in 1919, with 40 Oz books in all. The first book became a smash Chicago hit musical in 1902 and moved to Broadway in 1903. Best known is the unusually successful Hollywood movie adaptation of 1939, starring Frank Morgan  as the Wizard and [[Judy Garland]] as Dorothy.  

==The books==

==The books==

The book opens not in an imaginary far-off place but in real life [[Kansas]], which in the 1890s was well-known for the hardships of rural life, and for destructive tornadoes (also called cyclones).  The [[Panic of 1893]] caused widespread distress in rural America. In 1896 and again in 1900 the agrarian wing of the [[U.S. Democratic Party, history|Democratic Party]] had seized control and nominated the firebrand orator [[William Jennings Bryan]], from Omaha, who crusaded across the land promising his panacea of "free silver" (whereby the government would turn cheap silver into real dollars farmers could use to pay their debts). His supporters truly believed it would transform America in a veritable utopia.  Baum and Denslow, Republicans, rejected this notion and use the book to poke fun at Bryan (who is depicted as the Cowardly Lion).  

The book opens not in an imaginary far-off place but in real life [[Kansas]], which in the 1890s was well-known for the hardships of rural life, and for destructive tornadoes (also called cyclones).  The [[Panic of 1893]] caused widespread distress in rural America. In 1896 and again in 1900 the agrarian wing of the [[U.S. Democratic Party, history|Democratic Party]] had seized control and nominated the firebrand orator [[William Jennings Bryan]], from Omaha, who crusaded across the land promising his panacea of "free silver" (whereby the government would turn cheap silver into real dollars farmers could use to pay their debts). His supporters truly believed it would transform America in a veritable utopia.  Baum and Denslow, Republicans, rejected this notion and use the book to poke fun at Bryan (who is depicted as the Cowardly Lion).  

The silverite revolution--a cyclone--sweeps away Dorothy and Toto to a colorful land of unlimited resources that nevertheless has serious political problems.  This utopia is ruled in part by wicked witches. Dorothy's cyclone/revolution destroys the Wicked Witch of the East, slave-driver over the little people (Munchkins), who now celebrate their liberation.  The Witch had controlled the powerful silver slippers (which were changed to ruby in the 1939 film).  

The silverite revolution—a cyclone—sweeps away Dorothy and Toto to a colorful land of unlimited resources that nevertheless has serious political problems.  This utopia is ruled in part by wicked witches. Dorothy's cyclone/revolution destroys the Wicked Witch of the East, slave-driver over the little people (Munchkins), who now celebrate their liberation.  The Witch had controlled the powerful silver slippers (which were changed to ruby in the 1939 film).  

The Good Witch of the North (the northern electorate) tries to help Dorothy, but she is not very smart, does not realize the power of the slippers, and sends Dorothy down the very dangerous gold road to the Wizard, who she mistakenly believes is so powerful that he can grant her wishes. (The northern vote elected McKinley in 1896 and he passed the gold standard into law.)  

The Good Witch of the North (the northern electorate) tries to help Dorothy, but she is not very smart, does not realize the power of the slippers, and sends Dorothy down the very dangerous gold road to the Wizard, who she mistakenly believes is so powerful that he can grant her wishes. (The northern vote elected McKinley in 1896 and he passed the gold standard into law.)  

The national capital, the Emerald City, is a dream-like place based on the "White City," the common name for the Chicago World's fair of 1893, which Baum and Denslow attended often. The emerald green is an illusion (everyone must wear green glasses), symbolizing the fraudulent world of greenback paper money that only pretends to have value.  

The national capital, the Emerald City, is a dream-like place based on the "White City," the common name for the Chicago World's fair of 1893, which Baum and Denslow attended often. The emerald green is an illusion (everyone must wear green glasses), symbolizing the fraudulent world of greenback paper money that only pretends to have value.  

The Wizard/president is annoyed by his guests -- by the demands of the people. He is a corrupt politician, a shrewd manipulator who seeks power for himself, ignores the needs of the people, and rules by fooling with people's minds. He selfishly sends them to destroy his enemy, the Wicked Witch of the West.  If she gets them, he is rid of a nuisance.  If they kill her, great--he will be pleased and then worry what to do next.   

The Wizard/president is annoyed by his guests—by the demands of the people. He is a corrupt politician, a shrewd manipulator who seeks power for himself, ignores the needs of the people, and rules by fooling with people's minds. He selfishly sends them to destroy his enemy, the Wicked Witch of the West.  If she gets them, he is rid of a nuisance.  If they kill her, great—he will be pleased and then worry what to do next.   

The Wicked Witch of the West represents the trusts, who took control of small businessmen and made them cogs in their empire, just as the Witch does with the heroes, using the Flying Monkeys as her tools.  The trust issue was in the headlines, with a popular solution--one actually used in 1911 against [[Standard Oil]] to dissolve them. Dorothy heaves a bucket of water and dissolves the Wicked Witch.

The Wicked Witch of the West represents the trusts, who took control of small businessmen and made them cogs in their empire, just as the Witch does with the heroes, using the Flying Monkeys as her tools.  The trust issue was in the headlines, with a popular solution—one actually used in 1911 against [[Standard Oil]] to dissolve them. Dorothy heaves a bucket of water and dissolves the Wicked Witch.

The heroes return to Oz to claim their reward, and expose the Wizard for a media-manipulating fraud. He has no real power and must leave Oz the way he came, on a hot air balloon. (Politicians were synonymous with metaphors like "hot air" and "full of gas.") But he is a shrewd psychologist, and realizes the heroes already possess what they think they lack, they just lack self confidence.  He fills the Scarecrow's head with bran for a brain; implants a heart-shaped silk cushion inside the Tin Woodman (who now realizes his compassionate nature); he makes the Lion drink a dish of "courage" and he becomes king of the beasts again.  He promises to take Dorothy back to Omaha, his hometown, but that plan misfires. The Good Witch of the South (the southern) vote appears. (In 1896 the South voted solidly for Bryan and free silver.) She is smarter than her sister the Good Witch of the North, and tells Dorothy to click her silver slippers three times--that believing will make it come true, and Dorothy arrives home again.  It is a classic adventure story of travel to distant lands, and a story of running away from home and returning, a favorite theme for children.

The heroes return to Oz to claim their reward, and expose the Wizard for a media-manipulating fraud. He has no real power and must leave Oz the way he came, on a hot air balloon. (Politicians were synonymous with metaphors like "hot air" and "full of gas.") But he is a shrewd psychologist, and realizes the heroes already possess what they think they lack, they just lack self confidence.  He fills the Scarecrow's head with bran for a brain; implants a heart-shaped silk cushion inside the Tin Woodman (who now realizes his compassionate nature); he makes the Lion drink a dish of "courage" and he becomes king of the beasts again.  He promises to take Dorothy back to Omaha, his hometown, but that plan misfires. The Good Witch of the South (the southern) vote appears. (In 1896 the South voted solidly for Bryan and free silver.) She is smarter than her sister the Good Witch of the North, and tells Dorothy to click her silver slippers three times—that believing will make it come true, and Dorothy arrives home again.  It is a classic adventure story of travel to distant lands, and a story of running away from home and returning, a favorite theme for children.

==Sources==

==Sources==

Baum and Denslow did not simply invent the Cowardly Lion, Tin Woodman, Scarecrow, gold-colored Yellow Brick Road, Silver Slippers, cyclone, flying monkeys, Emerald City, little people, Uncle Henry, witches and the wizard.  The images and characters used by Baum and Denslow were based on the political images that were well known in the editorial cartoons of the 1890s.  Baum and Denslow built a story around them, added Dorothy whose innocence and purity are more effective than the witches' magic. They added a series of lessons to the effect that everyone possesses the resources they need if only they had self-confidence. Positive thinking was a prevalent trend in this period, and Baum was involved with the Theosophy Movement (similar to Christian Science) that emphasized the power of pure thoughts over material evils. Baum's point is that evil is in the mind, and it takes positive thinking, not a political revolution, to destroy it.

Baum and Denslow did not simply invent the Cowardly Lion, Tin Woodman, Scarecrow, gold-colored Yellow Brick Road, Silver Slippers, cyclone, flying monkeys, Emerald City, little people, Uncle Henry, witches and the wizard.  The images and characters used by Baum and Denslow were based on the political images that were well known in the editorial cartoons of the 1890s.  Baum and Denslow built a story around them, added Dorothy whose innocence and purity are more effective than the witches' magic. They added a series of lessons to the effect that everyone possesses the resources they need if only they had self-confidence. Positive thinking was a prevalent trend in this period, and Baum was involved with the Theosophy Movement (similar to Christian Science) that emphasized the power of pure thoughts over material evils. Baum's point is that evil is in the mind, and it takes positive thinking, not a political revolution, to destroy it.

Baum in the 1890s edited the major national magazine for advertising in store windows, and was familiar with the elaborate mechanical displays of the Christmas story that attracted tens of thousands of spectators to the display windows of Marshall Field's, Carson Pirie Scott, and other Chicago department stores.<ref> Culver (1988)</ref>  The spellbinding mechanical ingenuity (based on intricate clockwork) led many viewers to believe there must be a man behind the screen who worked all the levers.  

Baum in the 1890s edited the major national magazine for advertising in store windows, and was familiar with the elaborate mechanical displays of the Christmas story that attracted tens of thousands of spectators to the display windows of Marshall Field's, Carson Pirie Scott, and other Chicago department stores.<ref>Culver (1988)</ref>  The spellbinding mechanical ingenuity (based on intricate clockwork) led many viewers to believe there must be a man behind the screen who worked all the levers.  

Many of the events and characters of the book resemble the actual political personalities, events and ideas of the 1890s.  The 1902 stage adaptation mentioned, by name, President [[Theodore Roosevelt]], oil magnate [[John D. Rockefeller]], Senator [[Mark Hanna]] and other political celebrities. (No real people are mentioned by name in the 1900 book.) Even the title has been interpreted as alluding to a political reality: oz. is an abbreviation for ounce, a unit familiar to those who fought for a 16 to 1 ounce ratio of silver to gold in the name of [[Bimetallism]]<ref> Baum's son said he thought his father got the name from a file cabinet labeled A-N and O-Z.</ref>

Many of the events and characters of the book resemble the actual political personalities, events and ideas of the 1890s.  The 1902 stage adaptation mentioned, by name, President [[Theodore Roosevelt]], oil magnate [[John D. Rockefeller]], Senator [[Mark Hanna]] and other political celebrities. (No real people are mentioned by name in the 1900 book.) Even the title has been interpreted as alluding to a political reality: oz. is an abbreviation for ounce, a unit familiar to those who fought for a 16 to 1 ounce ratio of silver to gold in the name of [[Bimetallism]]<ref>Baum's son said he thought his father got the name from a file cabinet labeled A-N and O-Z.</ref>

==Impact on readers==

==Impact on readers==

The 40 Oz books had a significant impact on their young middle class readers who read them in English, Spanish, Russian, French, German, Romanian, Latin, Hebrew, or Arabic editions. Novelist Gore Vidal recalls:

The 40 Oz books had a significant impact on their young middle class readers who read them in English, Spanish, Russian, French, German, Romanian, Latin, Hebrew, or Arabic editions. Novelist Gore Vidal recalls:

{{quotebox|Like most Americans my age (with access to books) I spent a good deal of my youth in Baum's Land of Oz.  I have a precise, tactile memory of the first Oz book that came into my hands. It was the original 1910 edition of ''The Emerald City of Oz.'' I still remember the look and the feel of those dark blue covers, the evocative smell of dust and old ink. I also remember that I could not stop reading and rereading the book. But 'reading' is not the right word. In some mysterious way, I was translating myself to Oz, a place which I was to inhabit for many years .... With The Emerald City, I became addicted to reading."<ref>Quoted in , Nicholas Von Hoffman, "Flimflam Land. ''Civilization,'' Feb/Mar2000, Vol. 7, Issue 1 </ref>}}

{{quotebox|Like most Americans my age (with access to books) I spent a good deal of my youth in Baum's Land of Oz.  I have a precise, tactile memory of the first Oz book that came into my hands. It was the original 1910 edition of ''The Emerald City of Oz.'' I still remember the look and the feel of those dark blue covers, the evocative smell of dust and old ink. I also remember that I could not stop reading and rereading the book. But 'reading' is not the right word. In some mysterious way, I was translating myself to Oz, a place which I was to inhabit for many years .... With The Emerald City, I became addicted to reading."<ref>Quoted in , Nicholas Von Hoffman, "Flimflam Land. ''Civilization,'' Feb/Mar2000, Vol. 7, Issue 1</ref>}}

==Allegorical devices==

==Allegorical devices==

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*Dorothy represents a complete person or the human mind as a whole, while her three companions represent [[intellect]], [[emotion]] and [[will]].  

*Dorothy represents a complete person or the human mind as a whole, while her three companions represent [[intellect]], [[emotion]] and [[will]].  

*Dorothy, naive, young and simple, represents the American people. She is Everyman, lost in a crazy utopia who wants to get back to normalcy and the love of her family. She resembles the young hero of ''Coin's financial school'', a very popular silverite pamphlet of 1893.  In her innocence and purity she is all powerful and personally kills two witches--she is Columbia, the symbol of the nation's conscience.  Columbia was the usual representation of democracy in editorial cartoons (since replaced by the Statue of Liberty.)  

*Dorothy, naive, young and simple, represents the American people. She is Everyman, lost in a crazy utopia who wants to get back to normalcy and the love of her family. She resembles the young hero of ''Coin's financial school'', a very popular silverite pamphlet of 1893.  In her innocence and purity she is all powerful and personally kills two witches—she is Columbia, the symbol of the nation's conscience.  Columbia was the usual representation of democracy in editorial cartoons (since replaced by the Statue of Liberty.)  

*The cyclone was used in the 1890s as a metaphor for a political revolution that would transform the drab country into a land of color and unlimited prosperity.  The cyclone was used by editorial cartoonists of the 1890s to represent political upheaval.

*The cyclone was used in the 1890s as a metaphor for a political revolution that would transform the drab country into a land of color and unlimited prosperity.  The cyclone was used by editorial cartoonists of the 1890s to represent political upheaval.

*The Tin Woodman was a stock symbol in cartoons and advertising.  He was originally a human but was cursed by the Wicked Witch of the East so that every time he swung his axe he sliced off party of his body.  As a good workman he replaced each part with tin, but now is all tin and has no heart. He is the worker dehumanized by industrialization, a common theme in Socialist literature of the day, such as expressed by Socialist candidate [[Eugene V. Debs]] in the 1900 election. The Woodman is rusted and helpless—ineffective until he starts to work together with the Scarecrow (the farmer), in a Farmer-Labor coalition that was much discussed in the 1890s, which culminated in the [[Farmer-Labor Party]] in Minnesota<ref> The party is now part of Minnesota's Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party</ref>.

*The Tin Woodman was a stock symbol in cartoons and advertising.  He was originally a human but was cursed by the Wicked Witch of the East so that every time he swung his axe he sliced off party of his body.  As a good workman he replaced each part with tin, but now is all tin and has no heart. He is the worker dehumanized by industrialization, a common theme in Socialist literature of the day, such as expressed by Socialist candidate [[Eugene V. Debs]] in the 1900 election. The Woodman is rusted and helpless—ineffective until he starts to work together with the Scarecrow (the farmer), in a Farmer-Labor coalition that was much discussed in the 1890s, which culminated in the [[Farmer-Labor Party]] in Minnesota.<ref>The party is now part of Minnesota's Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party</ref>

*The Munchkins are the little people—ordinary citizens. This 1897 ''Judge'' cartoon shows famous politicians as little people after they were on the losing side in the election.  

*The Munchkins are the little people—ordinary citizens. This 1897 ''Judge'' cartoon shows famous politicians as little people after they were on the losing side in the election.  

'''Cowardly Lion''': a cowardly politician, perhaps [[William Jennings Bryan]]<br>

'''Cowardly Lion''': a cowardly politician, perhaps [[William Jennings Bryan]]<br>

'''Wicked Witch of the East''':  Eastern factory owners and industrialists<br>

'''Wicked Witch of the East''':  Eastern factory owners and industrialists<br>

'''Wicked Witch of the West''': the trusts; one popular solution to the trust problem was to dissolve them, as Dorothy does.<ref> Littlefield (1964), followed by others. saw her as the western drought which thus could be ended by water; Clanton (1991) suggests she represents the evils of left-wing Populism, or perhaps South Carolina' Pitchfork Ben Tillman,</ref>

'''Wicked Witch of the West''': the trusts; one popular solution to the trust problem was to dissolve them, as Dorothy does.<ref>Littlefield (1964), followed by others. saw her as the western drought which thus could be ended by water; Clanton (1991) suggests she represents the evils of left-wing Populism, or perhaps South Carolina' Pitchfork Ben Tillman,</ref>

'''Flying Monkeys''' Pinkerton agents hired to break strikes<br>

'''Flying Monkeys''' Pinkerton agents hired to break strikes<br>

'''Wizard''': President [[William McKinley]] <br>

'''Wizard''': President [[William McKinley]] <br>

Image:Trusts-Verdict-10July1899.jpg|Cartoon from ''Verdict'' magazine July 10, 1899 shows an ape on behalf of the trusts raping Columbia (America) and under an attack (the arrow) by democracy. Denslow made it a flying monkey and dropped the scary rape theme.

Image:Trusts-Verdict-10July1899.jpg|Cartoon from ''Verdict'' magazine July 10, 1899 shows an ape on behalf of the trusts raping Columbia (America) and under an attack (the arrow) by democracy. Denslow made it a flying monkey and dropped the scary rape theme.

Image:Cleveland-Lion 1885.JPG|1885 ''Puck'' cartoon shows President Cleveland as a powerful lion, and shows other politicians as (flying?) monkeys.

Image:Cleveland-Lion 1885.JPG|1885 ''Puck'' cartoon shows President Cleveland as a powerful lion, and shows other politicians as (flying?) monkeys.

Image:1897MCK-WIZ.JPG|1897 ''Judge'' cartoon shows McKinley as a Witch/Mother Hubbard, and little Toto-like dog as Uncle Sam. Editorial cartoonists sometimes depicted politicians as witches--and included little dogs as characters.

Image:1897MCK-WIZ.JPG|1897 ''Judge'' cartoon shows McKinley as a Witch/Mother Hubbard, and little Toto-like dog as Uncle Sam. Editorial cartoonists sometimes depicted politicians as witches—and included little dogs as characters.

Image:OZ5-2-94.JPG|Cyclone as metaphor for political revolution; the Aunt-Em-type farm woman is labeled 'Democratic Party';  ''Puck'' May 2, 1894

Image:OZ5-2-94.JPG|Cyclone as metaphor for political revolution; the Aunt-Em-type farm woman is labeled 'Democratic Party';  ''Puck'' May 2, 1894

Image:MUNCHKINS-LITTLE-PEOPLE.JPG|Munchkins resemble the Little People in this 1896 ''Judge'' cartoon that makes fun of silverite politicians; the Yellow Kid (center) was the very first comic strip character.

Image:MUNCHKINS-LITTLE-PEOPLE.JPG|Munchkins resemble the Little People in this 1896 ''Judge'' cartoon that makes fun of silverite politicians; the Yellow Kid (center) was the very first comic strip character.

==Metaphors==

==Metaphors==

[[Image:TIN3.JPG|left|thumb|200px|Influence of ''The Wizard of Oz in early advertising: the Tin Man in a Sapolio soap ad.]]

[[Image:TIN3.JPG|left|thumb|200px|Influence of ''The Wizard of Oz in early advertising: the Tin Man in a Sapolio soap ad.]]

* The Tin Man was a common feature in political cartoons and in advertisements in the 1890s.  Indeed, he had been part of European folk art for 300 years.<ref> Archie Green, ''Tin Men'' (2002) [http://www.amazon.com/Tin-Folklore-Society-Archie-Green/dp/0252073754/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195302792&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search] covers the history of images of tin men in European and American illustrations for 300 years.</ref>

* The Tin Man was a common feature in political cartoons and in advertisements in the 1890s.  Indeed, he had been part of European folk art for 300 years.<ref>Archie Green, ''Tin Men'' (2002) [http://www.amazon.com/Tin-Folklore-Society-Archie-Green/dp/0252073754/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195302792&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search] covers the history of images of tin men in European and American illustrations for 300 years.</ref>

* The oil needed by the Tin Woodman had a political dimension at the time because Rockefeller's [[Standard Oil]] Company stood accused of being a monopoly (which was later ruled correct in a lawsuit brought by the federal government, and ultimately affirmed by the US Supreme Court.) In the 1902 stage adaptation the Tin Woodman wonders what he would do if he ran out of oil. "You wouldn't be as badly off as John D. Rockefeller," the Scarecrow responds, "He'd lose six thousand dollars a minute if that happened."<ref>Swartz, ''Oz'' p 34</ref>

* The oil needed by the Tin Woodman had a political dimension at the time because Rockefeller's [[Standard Oil]] Company stood accused of being a monopoly (which was later ruled correct in a lawsuit brought by the federal government, and ultimately affirmed by the US Supreme Court.) In the 1902 stage adaptation the Tin Woodman wonders what he would do if he ran out of oil. "You wouldn't be as badly off as John D. Rockefeller," the Scarecrow responds, "He'd lose six thousand dollars a minute if that happened."<ref>Swartz, ''Oz'' p 34</ref>

* The lion that Dorothy, Scarecrow and Tin-Man encounter in the enchanted forest may be a reference to [[William Jennings Bryan]], the Democratic candidate for president in 1896. Cartoons often portrayed leading politicians as lions, and Bryan was described as having a great roar with no bite. People asked in early 1900, when the book was written, if he had the courage to oppose the McKinley Administration.  

* The lion that Dorothy, Scarecrow and Tin-Man encounter in the enchanted forest may be a reference to [[William Jennings Bryan]], the Democratic candidate for president in 1896. Cartoons often portrayed leading politicians as lions, and Bryan was described as having a great roar with no bite. People asked in early 1900, when the book was written, if he had the courage to oppose the McKinley Administration.  

* In 1900 by far the most famous farmer in America was [[Henry Cantwell Wallace]], editor of the leading farm magazine, ''Wallace's Farmer''. Everyone called him "Uncle Henry."<ref> Henry Wallace and Richard S. Kirkendall. ''Uncle Henry: A Documentary Profile of the First Henry Wallace'' (1993) [http://www.amazon.com/Uncle-Henry-Documentary-Profile-Agricultural/dp/0813804248/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195302873&sr=8-3 excerpt and text search] </ref>

* In 1900 by far the most famous farmer in America was [[Henry Cantwell Wallace]], editor of the leading farm magazine, ''Wallace's Farmer''. Everyone called him "Uncle Henry."<ref>Henry Wallace and Richard S. Kirkendall. ''Uncle Henry: A Documentary Profile of the First Henry Wallace'' (1993) [http://www.amazon.com/Uncle-Henry-Documentary-Profile-Agricultural/dp/0813804248/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195302873&sr=8-3 excerpt and text search]</ref>

* "Aunt Em" is a puzzle. Baum's mother-in-law was named [[Matilda Joslyn Gage]], and might be "Aunt M."  Mary Lease the Populist spellbinder has been suggested. ("Raise less corn and more hell!" was her shocking message, but Aunt Em is not like her.) Gage was a leader of the woman suffrage movement, but nothing about the book's character suggests suffrage interests.

* "Aunt Em" is a puzzle. Baum's mother-in-law was named [[Matilda Joslyn Gage]], and might be "Aunt M."  Mary Lease the Populist spellbinder has been suggested. ("Raise less corn and more hell!" was her shocking message, but Aunt Em is not like her.) Gage was a leader of the woman suffrage movement, but nothing about the book's character suggests suffrage interests.

* The poppies which surround the Emerald City are likely a reference to the opium poppies and the Boxer Rebellion in China of 1899.<ref> See the fascinating analysis by Martin Blythe, "Oz is China" (2006) [http://www.sexualfables.com/OzisChina.php online edition]</ref>

* The poppies which surround the Emerald City are likely a reference to the opium poppies and the Boxer Rebellion in China of 1899.<ref>See the fascinating analysis by Martin Blythe, "Oz is China" (2006) [http://www.sexualfables.com/OzisChina.php online edition]</ref>

*Politicians of the era often talked about wizards. For example, one senator debating the gold and silver issue in early 1900 said, “We all know of the performances of the world’s magicians, but it has remained for the Wizard of Missouri [Senator Cockrell] to wave his magic wand or his magic head and double the price of the silver of the world.”<ref> ''New York Times'' February 16, 1900 p 1</ref> Baum may have turned the Wizard of Missouri into the Wizard of Oz, who frightened people with his giant magic head.

*Politicians of the era often talked about wizards. For example, one senator debating the gold and silver issue in early 1900 said, “We all know of the performances of the world’s magicians, but it has remained for the Wizard of Missouri [Senator Cockrell] to wave his magic wand or his magic head and double the price of the silver of the world.”<ref>''New York Times'' February 16, 1900 p 1</ref> Baum may have turned the Wizard of Missouri into the Wizard of Oz, who frightened people with his giant magic head.

* President McKinley was often called a "wizard" for his political skills. The Wizard of Oz seems to be the president of the Land of Oz. The "man behind the curtain" echoes the response  to automated store window displays.  

* President McKinley was often called a "wizard" for his political skills. The Wizard of Oz seems to be the president of the Land of Oz. The "man behind the curtain" echoes the response  to automated store window displays.  

* Dogs were often used in political cartoons to represent politicians or parties.  Perhaps "Toto" is a play on the word "teetotaler", and represents the Prohibitionists of the era, who were aligned with [[William Jennings Bryan|Bryan]] in the 1896 election.

* Dogs were often used in political cartoons to represent politicians or parties.  Perhaps "Toto" is a play on the word "teetotaler", and represents the Prohibitionists of the era, who were aligned with [[William Jennings Bryan|Bryan]] in the 1896 election.

* "Oz" is the abbreviation for "ounce," and it has been suggested that Baum was making a political allusion to [[bimetallism]], a hot political topic of the day. The 1901 theatre version used many current political allusions, mentioning by name President Roosevelt and oilman John D. Rockefeller.  In a press release for the 1903 reissue of Wizard, Baum wrote:<ref>http://home.earthlink.net/~jcorbally/eng218/rcross.html</ref>

* "Oz" is the abbreviation for "ounce," and it has been suggested that Baum was making a political allusion to [[bimetallism]], a hot political topic of the day. The 1901 theatre version used many current political allusions, mentioning by name President Roosevelt and oilman John D. Rockefeller.  In a press release for the 1903 reissue of Wizard, Baum wrote:<ref>http://home.earthlink.net/~jcorbally/eng218/rcross.html</ref>

{{quotebox|I have a little cabinet letter file on my desk that is just in front of me. I was thinking and wondering about a title for the story, and had settled on the "Wizard" as part of it. My gaze was caught by the gilt letters on the three drawers of the cabinet. The first was <I>A-G</I>; the next drawer was labeled <I>H-N</I> and on the last were the letters <I>O-Z</I>. And "Oz" it at once became.<ref>http://www.snopes.com/language/literary/oz.asp</ref>}}

{{quotebox|I have a little cabinet letter file on my desk that is just in front of me. I was thinking and wondering about a title for the story, and had settled on the "Wizard" as part of it. My gaze was caught by the gilt letters on the three drawers of the cabinet. The first was ''A-G''; the next drawer was labeled ''H-N'' and on the last were the letters ''O-Z''. And "Oz" it at once became.<ref>http://www.snopes.com/language/literary/oz.asp</ref>}}

==Adaptations==

==Adaptations==

[[Image:OZ-1903.JPG|thumb|left|200px|poster for 1903 Broadway version features an adult Dorothy for an adults-only audience; it was one of the first great Broadway musicals]]

[[Image:OZ-1903.JPG|thumb|left|200px|poster for 1903 Broadway version features an adult Dorothy for an adults-only audience; it was one of the first great Broadway musicals]]

The Wizard inspired 40 official Oz books, 40 films, more than 100 unofficial novels, and innumerable websites, editorial cartoons, TV commercials, television shows, games, radio programs, video games, music videos, comic strips, musicals, toys, dolls,  Japanese animes, ceramic firgurines, and even pornography, most of them based on the 1939 movie.<ref> Sherman, (2005)</ref> The copyright for the original books published before 1923 has expired, but the 1939 film will be under copyright for decades to come.

The Wizard inspired 40 official Oz books, 40 films, more than 100 unofficial novels, and innumerable websites, editorial cartoons, TV commercials, television shows, games, radio programs, video games, music videos, comic strips, musicals, toys, dolls,  Japanese animes, ceramic firgurines, and even pornography, most of them based on the 1939 movie.<ref>Sherman, (2005)</ref> The copyright for the original books published before 1923 has expired, but the 1939 film will be under copyright for decades to come.

The earliest musical version of the book was produced in Chicago in 1902, and moved to Broadway in 1903, where it was a smash hit and set a record with 293 performances.  It used the same characters, but was aimed at adult audiences. Baum inserted current political references to the script. For example, his actors specifically mention President Theodore Roosevelt, Senator Mark Hanna, and John D. Rockefeller by name.<ref>Swartz, ''Before the Rainbow'', pp 34, 47, 56</ref>

The earliest musical version of the book was produced in Chicago in 1902, and moved to Broadway in 1903, where it was a smash hit and set a record with 293 performances.  It used the same characters, but was aimed at adult audiences. Baum inserted current political references to the script. For example, his actors specifically mention President Theodore Roosevelt, Senator Mark Hanna, and John D. Rockefeller by name.<ref>Swartz, ''Before the Rainbow'', pp 34, 47, 56</ref>

* Culver, Stuart.  "What Manikins Want: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and The Art of Decorating Dry Goods Windows and Interiors", ''Representations'', 21 (1988) 97-116.

* Culver, Stuart.  "What Manikins Want: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and The Art of Decorating Dry Goods Windows and Interiors", ''Representations'', 21 (1988) 97-116.

*Dighe, Ranjit S. ed. ''The Historian's Wizard of Oz: Reading L. Frank Baum's Classic as a Political and Monetary Allegory'' (2002) [http://www.amazon.com/Historians-Wizard-Oz-Political-Monetary/dp/0275974197/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195301722&sr=8-2 excerpt and text search]

*Dighe, Ranjit S. ed. ''The Historian's Wizard of Oz: Reading L. Frank Baum's Classic as a Political and Monetary Allegory'' (2002) [http://www.amazon.com/Historians-Wizard-Oz-Political-Monetary/dp/0275974197/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195301722&sr=8-2 excerpt and text search]

* Erisman, Fred. "L. Frank Baum and the Progressive Dilemma" in ''American Quarterly'' Vol. 20, No. 3 (Autumn, 1968), pp. 616-623. [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0003-0678%28196823%2920%3A3%3C616%3ALFBATP%3E2.0.CO%3B2-E  online at JSTOR]

* Erisman, Fred. "L. Frank Baum and the Progressive Dilemma" in ''American Quarterly'' Vol. 20, No. 3 (Autumn, 1968), pp.&nbsp;616–623. [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0003-0678%28196823%2920%3A3%3C616%3ALFBATP%3E2.0.CO%3B2-E  online at JSTOR]

* Flynn, Richard. "Imitation Oz: The Sequel as Commodity." The ''Lion and the Unicorn'' 20.1 (1996): 121-131.  

* Flynn, Richard. "Imitation Oz: The Sequel as Commodity." The ''Lion and the Unicorn'' 20.1 (1996): 121-131.  

*Gardner, Todd. "Responses to Littlefield" (2004), [http://www.turnmeondeadman.net/OZ/Responses.html online version]

*Gardner, Todd. "Responses to Littlefield" (2004), [http://www.turnmeondeadman.net/OZ/Responses.html online version]

* Geer, John G.  and Thomas R. Rochon, "William Jennings Bryan on the Yellow Brick Road," ''Journal of American Culture'' Vol. 16 No. 4, Winter, 1993, pp. 59-64.

* Geer, John G.  and Thomas R. Rochon, "William Jennings Bryan on the Yellow Brick Road," ''Journal of American Culture'' Vol. 16 No. 4, Winter, 1993, pp.&nbsp;59–64.

* Gessel, Michael; Koupal, Nancy Tystad; and Erisman, Fred. "The Politics of Oz: a Symposium." ''South Dakota History'' 2001 31(2): 146-168. Issn: 0361-8676  

* Gessel, Michael; Koupal, Nancy Tystad; and Erisman, Fred. "The Politics of Oz: a Symposium." ''South Dakota History'' 2001 31(2): 146-168. Issn: 0361-8676  

* Gilead, Sarah. "Magic Abjured: Closure in Children's Fantasy Fiction" in ''PMLA'' Vol. 106, No. 2 (Mar., 1991), pp. 277-293. [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0030-8129%28199103%29106%3A2%3C277%3AMACICF%3E2.0.CO%3B2-L  in JSTOR]

* Gilead, Sarah. "Magic Abjured: Closure in Children's Fantasy Fiction" in ''PMLA'' Vol. 106, No. 2 (Mar., 1991), pp.&nbsp;277–293. [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0030-8129%28199103%29106%3A2%3C277%3AMACICF%3E2.0.CO%3B2-L  in JSTOR]

* Griswold, Jerry. "There's No Place But Home: The Wizard of Oz. " ''The Antioch Review'' 45A (1987): 462-75.  

* Griswold, Jerry. "There's No Place But Home: The Wizard of Oz. " ''The Antioch Review'' 45A (1987): 462-75.  

*Hansen, Bradley A. "The Fable of the Allegory: The Wizard of Oz in Economics," ''Journal of Economic Education'' (2002) [http://www.indiana.edu/~econed/pdffiles/summer02/bhansen.pdf online edition]

*Hansen, Bradley A. "The Fable of the Allegory: The Wizard of Oz in Economics," ''Journal of Economic Education'' (2002) [http://www.indiana.edu/~econed/pdffiles/summer02/bhansen.pdf online edition]

* Jensen, Richard. ''The Winning of the Midwest: Social and Political Conflict, 1888-1896'' (1971), ch. 10, uses the ''Wizard'' to explain the politics of the 1890s

* Jensen, Richard. ''The Winning of the Midwest: Social and Political Conflict, 1888-1896'' (1971), ch. 10, uses the ''Wizard'' to explain the politics of the 1890s

* Karp, Andrew. ''Utopian Tension in L. Frank Baum's Oz'' in ''Utopian Studies'', 1998. [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5001388159 online edition]

* Karp, Andrew. ''Utopian Tension in L. Frank Baum's Oz'' in ''Utopian Studies'', 1998. [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5001388159 online edition]

* Kim, Helen M. "Strategic Credulity: Oz as Mass Cultural Parable" in ''Cultural Critique'' No. 33 (Spring, 1996), pp. 213-233. [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0882-4371%28199621%290%3A33%3C213%3ASCOAMC%3E2.0.CO%3B2-T  online at JSTOR]

* Kim, Helen M. "Strategic Credulity: Oz as Mass Cultural Parable" in ''Cultural Critique'' No. 33 (Spring, 1996), pp.&nbsp;213–233. [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0882-4371%28199621%290%3A33%3C213%3ASCOAMC%3E2.0.CO%3B2-T  online at JSTOR]

* Leach, William. ''Land of Desire: Merchants, Power, and the Rise of a New American Culture'' (1993), pp. 248-260. [http://www.amazon.com/Land-Desire-Merchants-American-Culture/dp/0679754113/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195301631&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search]

* Leach, William. ''Land of Desire: Merchants, Power, and the Rise of a New American Culture'' (1993), pp.&nbsp;248–260. [http://www.amazon.com/Land-Desire-Merchants-American-Culture/dp/0679754113/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195301631&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search]

* Leach, William. "The Clown from Syracuse: The Life and Times of L. Frank Baum." introduction to Leach, ed. ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'' 1991. pp 1-34.

* Leach, William. "The Clown from Syracuse: The Life and Times of L. Frank Baum." introduction to Leach, ed. ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'' 1991. pp 1–34.

* Littlefield, Henry M. "The Wizard of Oz: Parable on Populism" ''American Quarterly'' Vol. 16, No. 1 (Spring, 1964), pp. 47-58; Littlefield was the first scholar to explore the allegories, though he mistakenly thought Baum supported Populism[http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0003-0678%28196421%2916%3A1%3C47%3ATWOOPO%3E2.0.CO%3B2-J  in JSTOR]; [http://www.amphigory.com/oz.htm another online version]; [http://www.ozclub.org/reference/littlefield.html another version]

* Littlefield, Henry M. "The Wizard of Oz: Parable on Populism" ''American Quarterly'' Vol. 16, No. 1 (Spring, 1964), pp.&nbsp;47–58; Littlefield was the first scholar to explore the allegories, though he mistakenly thought Baum supported Populism [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0003-0678%28196421%2916%3A1%3C47%3ATWOOPO%3E2.0.CO%3B2-J  in JSTOR]; [http://www.amphigory.com/oz.htm another online version]; [http://www.ozclub.org/reference/littlefield.html another version]

* Nesbet, Anne. "In Borrowed Balloons: The Wizard of Oz and the History of Soviet Aviation" in ''The Slavic and East European Journal'' Vol. 45, No. 1 (Spring, 2001), pp. 80-95. [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0037-6752%28200121%291%3A45%3A1%3C80%3AIBBTWO%3E2.0.CO%3B2-W  online at JSTOR]

* Nesbet, Anne. "In Borrowed Balloons: The Wizard of Oz and the History of Soviet Aviation" in ''The Slavic and East European Journal'' Vol. 45, No. 1 (Spring, 2001), pp.&nbsp;80–95. [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0037-6752%28200121%291%3A45%3A1%3C80%3AIBBTWO%3E2.0.CO%3B2-W  online at JSTOR]

* Parker, David. "The Rise and Fall of ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'' as a 'Parable on Populism'" ''The Journal of the Georgia Association of Historians,'' vol. 15 (1994), pp. 49-63 [http://www.halcyon.com/piglet/Populism.htm  online edition]

* Parker, David. "The Rise and Fall of ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'' as a 'Parable on Populism'" ''The Journal of the Georgia Association of Historians,'' vol. 15 (1994), pp.&nbsp;49–63 [http://www.halcyon.com/piglet/Populism.htm  online edition]

*Riley, Michael O. ''Oz and Beyond: The Fantasy World of L. Frank Baum''. (1997) University of Kansas Press ISBN 0-7006-0832-X [http://www.amazon.com/Oz-Beyond-Fantasy-World-Frank/dp/070060832X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195302255&sr=8-2 excerpt and text search]

*Riley, Michael O. ''Oz and Beyond: The Fantasy World of L. Frank Baum''. (1997) University of Kansas Press ISBN 0-7006-0832-X [http://www.amazon.com/Oz-Beyond-Fantasy-World-Frank/dp/070060832X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195302255&sr=8-2 excerpt and text search]

* Ritter, Gretchen. ''Goldbugs and Greenbacks: The Anti-Monopoly Tradition and the Politics of Finance in America'' (1997) [http://www.amazon.com/Goldbugs-Greenbacks-Antimonopoly-Tradition-1865-1896/dp/0521653924/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195301565&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search]

* Ritter, Gretchen. ''Goldbugs and Greenbacks: The Anti-Monopoly Tradition and the Politics of Finance in America'' (1997) [http://www.amazon.com/Goldbugs-Greenbacks-Antimonopoly-Tradition-1865-1896/dp/0521653924/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195301565&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search]

*In 2009, the movie will celebrate its 70th anniversary.  

*In 2009, the movie will celebrate its 70th anniversary.  

*The movie can supposedly be synched with [[Pink Floyd]]'s classic album ''[[The Dark Side of the Moon]]''. <ref>http://www.ingsoc.com/waters/info/oz.html</ref>

*The movie can supposedly be synched with [[Pink Floyd]]'s classic album ''[[The Dark Side of the Moon]]''.<ref>http://www.ingsoc.com/waters/info/oz.html</ref>

*A "yellow brick road" can be found in Liberal, Kansas.

*A "yellow brick road" can be found in Liberal, Kansas.

*Many parodies of it have been made.  Recently, one such was The Wizard of Ha's on ''[[Veggie Tales]]'', with changes to match the Story of the Prodigal Son.

*Many parodies of it have been made.  Recently, one such was The Wizard of Ha's on ''[[Veggie Tales]]'', with changes to match the Story of the Prodigal Son.

[[Category:Progressive Era]]

[[Category:Progressive Era]]

[[Category:New Deal]]

[[Category:New Deal]]

[[category:witchcraft]]

[[Category:Witchcraft]]