1. Describe the setting of the story (from chapter 1)

2. Describe physical characteristics and personality traits of the following characters:

-Aunt Em-Uncle Henry-Dorothy

The Wizard of Oz

An allegory for Populism

Allegory

A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.

Dorothy

Represents America, or “every man”

The Wicked Witch of the West

Represents nature (other opponent to farmers)

Ruby (Silver) Slippers

Represents the silver standard issue

(They were silver in the book)

The Yellow Brick Road

Represents the gold standard

The Emerald City

Represents Washington, D. C.

The Scarecrow

Represents the American farmers

The Tin Man

Represents the working class

The Cowardly Lion

William Jennings Bryan

Glinda the Good Witch

Represents Southern Populists

The WizardRepresents either President Cleveland or William McKinley

The Wizard of Oz: an Allegory for Populism

Many of the objects and characters in the Wizard of Oz are considered to be symbols of 1890s American politics.

Your job is to tell me why!