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[[Image:OZ-TITLE.JPG|thumb|300px|right|Cover to an early edition of ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'']]

[[Image:OZ-TITLE.JPG|thumb|300px|right|Cover to an early edition of ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'']]

[[Image:BAUM.JPG|thumb|right|200px|L. Frank Baum]]

[[Image:BAUM.JPG|thumb|right|200px|L. Frank Baum]]

'''''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 [[politically incorrect]] Wicked Witch of the West was so terrifying that she caused widespread nightmares, and the actress's reenactment nearly 40 later on [[Sesame Street]] sparked so many complaints that the episode was banned'''''.<ref>http://birthmoviesdeath.com/2013/02/25/the-time-the-wicked-witch-of-the-west-was-too-scary-for-sesame-street</ref>

'''''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 [[politically incorrect]] Wicked Witch of the West was so terrifying that she caused widespread nightmares, and the actress's reenactment nearly 40 later on [[Sesame Street]] sparked so many complaints that the episode was banned'''''.<ref>http://birthmoviesdeath.com/2013/02/25/the-time-the-wicked-witch-of-the-west-was-too-scary-for-sesame-street</ref>

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 books==

==The books==

'''''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz''''' appeared in 1900 as a children's book written by L. Frank Baum (1856-1919) and illustrated by W. W. Denslow (1856-1915). This was part of their effort to create a body of American literature in the fairy tale genre; they had already collaborated on Father Goose books. The Wizard was a great success and Baum followed it with thirteen more books set in the land of Oz. He lost Denslow as an illustrator and was never able to recapture the success of his original work. After Baum died Ruth Plumly Thompson continued the series with nineteen more stories, and other authors wrote additional books. The Land of Oz was one of the earliest of what fantasy fans now call "fictional universes." Like the Sherlock Holmes stories it has attracted a large number of devoted fans, who like to discuss and write about the land of Oz as if it actually existed.

'''''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz''''' appeared in 1900 as a children's book written by L. Frank Baum (1856-1919) and illustrated by W. W. Denslow (1856-1915). This was part of their effort to create a body of American literature in the fairy tale genre; they had already collaborated on Father Goose books. The Wizard was a great success, and Baum followed it with thirteen more books set in the land of Oz. He lost Denslow as an illustrator and was never able to recapture the success of his original work. After Baum died, Ruth Plumly Thompson continued the series with nineteen more stories, and other authors wrote additional books. The Land of Oz was one of the earliest of what fantasy fans now call "fictional universes." Like the Sherlock Holmes stories, it has attracted a large number of devoted fans, who like to discuss and write about the land of Oz as if it actually exists.

The classic 17th century Christian allegory ''[[Pilgrim's Progress]]'' inspired some of the characters and dangers described in the Wizard of Oz.<ref>http://www.amerisearch.net/index.php?date=2004-08-31&view=View</ref>

The classic 17th century Christian allegory ''[[Pilgrim's Progress]]'' inspired some of the characters and dangers described in the Wizard of Oz.<ref>http://www.amerisearch.net/index.php?date=2004-08-31&view=View</ref>

==Plot line==

==Plot line==

[[Image:DOROTHY1.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Denslow's drawing of Dorothy's introduction to the Scarecrow, from the 1st edition of book, 1900]]

[[Image:DOROTHY1.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Denslow's drawing of Dorothy's introduction to the Scarecrow, from the 1st edition of book, 1900]]

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.)  

Along the Yellow Brick Road Dorothy picks up her coalition, the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman and Cowardly Lion, who all want the Wizard to grant their urgent wishes.  

Along the Yellow Brick Road Dorothy picks up her coalition, the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion, who all want the Wizard to grant their urgent wishes.  

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, 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), makes the Lion drink a dish of "courage" and 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==