The WIzard of Oz is an example of how art reflects life because of the characters portrayed in the story.
The characters in the story represent a certain type of person or thing in the real world. For example Dorothy is from Kansas, where the political storm started. She was made a female to speak for the women suffragettes. The wicked witch of the east represents the national banks on the east coast, both are crushed by the house. Glinda, the good witch shows how the north supported the populist movement, just like Glinda supported the munchkins. The scarecrow resembles the farmers who were politically scattered. The tin man coincides with factory workers, who were “emotional sheets of iron”. The cowardly lion represents congress because they talk big, but they were unable to make big decisions. In other words they were cowards. The wizard is similar to the president because both of them didn’t follow through with their promises. The wicked witch of the west assumes the role of mother nature, who caused a drought, in order to end a drought you need water, and water kills the wicked
witch.
The scenery in The Wizard of Oz movie is also an example of how art reflects life. Kansas was picked as the location because that’s where it all began. The tornado represents the political storm that brewed among the central plains. The yellow brick road imitates the gold and the gold standard policy that the United States followed. The Emerald city, where the wizard lives, expresses the idea of everyone being green with money, similar to Washington D.C.
The final reason that The Wizard of Oz is an example of how art reflects life is because of the props used. Dorothy’s ruby slippers were originally silver to symbolize the silver the populists wanted to be added to the gold standard policy. The name Oz is the same as the abbreviation for ounces, which was how they measured the amount of gold and silver they wanted at Fort Knox. The scarecrow wished for a brain and received a diploma that represents an education for farmers. The tinman wanted a heart and acquired a clock heart that represents the eight hours and five days a week schedule for industrial workers. The cowardly lion yearned for courage and earned a pin of courage, that signifyed the house having the courage to pass laws.
The Wizard of Oz is an example of how art reflects life because of the characters portrayed, the scenery chosen and the props that were used. Although the populist party shined brightly, they would eventually burn out. In 1896 the populist party movement ended and most of the populists became supportive of the democratic politicians.