A couple of weeks ago Mr. Barry Habib visited our office and gave us a number of "stories" which have prompted my writing of a couple of previous posts: What Would Rip Van Winkle Say About Homeownership, and Why Interest Rates Won't Get to 4%. 
But there's another story Barry entertained us with which I can't seem to get out of my head, so I'm going to share it with you, also. It's the "Now you know the REST of the story" behind the Wizard of Oz. An explanation that some of you may have heard before, but quite honestly is my first exposure to the political interpretations and metaphors behind the story. All which I find quite intriguing.
The story was written during the period of time when Gold Standard debate which took place in 1900 and dealt with the value of gold vs silver. I had heard before the land of "Oz" was named based on the combination of the first letter and the last letter of the bottom drawer of a file cabinet: O-Z. Actually, it's suggested that Oz is used because of the abbreviation of ounces, a weight used for both precious metals (which makes more since when you think of it, as I doubt someone had a two drawer filing cabinet in the late 1890's!??).
Here are some of the other metaphors/interpretations:
Yellow brick road, was the gold bricks.
Dorothy's shoes were really silver. Hollywood changed them to ruby red for affect.
Dorothy was a real person, Leslie Kelsey, who actually lived in Kansas, and would travel on horse from one town to another educating the population on the value of using silver vs gold.
Scarecrow was the farmer.
Tin Man represented the manufacturers and labors.
Lion was the politician William Jennings Bryan, who was expected to support the silver value belief, but ended up embarrassing his political party in the end by turning tail and running from the controversy.
Wicked Witches were the bankers (of course. We're always the ones to blame!)
Wizard was McKinley.
And of course "the little people"? Well, they would be you and me!
Depending on what story you research on the Internet, there are slightly different variations or interpretations of the characters. However, it certainly does shed a different perspective on this "childrens story", doesn't it.
Would be interesting how those characters might be cast based on the events of today, wouldn't it?
Views and opinions expressed on this site are not necessarily those of WR Starkey Mortgage.
Ruth Vogt, Branch Manager
Colorado LMB #LMB100023827
Ruth. the characterization of this in terms of current economics would be extremely interesting. It wasn't but a few years after this we were saddled with the Federal Reserve Act which was passed in the dark over a weekend during a Congressional Christmas recess. Sound familiar?
Ruth, this is certainly a new perspective on the Wizzard of Oz. Not sure I like the idea that a kid's favorite now has a new meaning.
Nancy
But then again, look at the political meaning behind some of our more recent movies including the new block buster - Avitar.
Oh those Wicked witches LOL Ruth, I have never heard this and will have to watch the movie again in a different light. Today's version would be very interesting.
Hi Ruth, now this was interesting! Great post Ruth! :)
Guy, hmmm.... yes, all too familliar.
Nancy, I felt the some way after hearing the meaning! Haven't seen Avitar yet. I'll put that on my list.
Mary, I'm sure today's version would be interesting. And the monkeys would be??? hmmm... maybe czar's???
Jackie, glad you stopped by for a visit. (I'm still chuckling over the picture of your mom getting busted!!) (That will get any future visitors of this post wondering, huh???) tee-hee!
Mary,
Thanks Ruth. Great post. I had never know the background of Oz. I did learn of Alice in Wonderland and Lewis Carroll (or shall I say Arthur Dodgson).
Have a great 2010!
John, Sounds like we're even, because I don't think I know the story of Alice in Wonderland (except there were some serious drugs involved???)