Many scholars have interpreted the story of The Wizard of Oz as an allegory for the American West during the 1890s. For instance, historian Henry Littlefield says that the yellow brick road is meant to represent the gold standard. It’s also believed that Dorothy’s shoes were originally made of silver in Baum’s books.
Wicked Witch of the West
The Wicked Witch of the West is the villain in The Wizard of Oz, and she represents the deepest fears of the characters. She lives in a dark castle and represents danger, fear, and corruption. Though she is a terrifying figure, she is ultimately vulnerable in the end.
The Wicked Witch of the West appears in both film and animation versions of The Wizard of Oz. In the film version, she is played by actress Eliza Swenson. She is a descendant of the Wicked Witch of the West and owns a pet dog named Toto. She also has a medium-sized munchkin named Ojo. After she acquires the Changing Word, she intends to rule the Earth, and invade Neverland, Wonderland, Narnia, and Shangri-La.
The Wicked Witch of the West’s power lies in the creatures that she commands. Her army of 40 great wolves, her army of Winkies, and her enchanted Golden Cap are all symbols of her power. Her power comes from commanding these creatures to enslave the Winkies and drive the Wizard of Oz out of Winkie Country.
Scarecrow
In the 1939 film adaptation, the Scarecrow was played by Ray Bolger. Originally, he was intended to be the Tin Woodsman, but the actor didn’t mind switching roles. But, during the film’s make-up shoot, he almost choked on aluminum dust, and was replaced by Jack Haley.
In the sequel to the first film, Son of a Witch, the Scarecrow helps the Witch’s son, Liir, avoid the political turmoil of the Emerald City. In both versions, the Scarecrow acts as puppet ruler. It is speculated that he can’t tell the difference between real Scarecrows and fake ones.
The Scarecrow is a secondary character in “The Wizard of Oz.” He was created by American author L. Frank Baum and illustrator W.W. Denslow, and he appears in the first novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. He is naive at first, but soon proves to be the most wise man in Oz. He is subsequently chosen to be the interim ruler of Emerald City.
Tin Man
In The Wizard of Oz, the Tin Man symbolizes American factory workers. He is the most compassionate of the group and has characteristics that are indicative of someone with a big heart. When the Wizard gives him a symbolic heart, he feels complete. In fact, the Tin Man has many symbols in common with workers during the Great Depression.
The Tin Man was originally a lumberjack who fell in love with a girl. Unfortunately, the old lady was not keen on marriage. To make matters worse, she had to take a chance on marrying the girl, who was living with the Wicked Witch of the East. Eventually, the wicked witch cursed the woodman’s axe and enchanted it to slash away at the human heart. Eventually, this ruined the young man’s life and he was forced to return to his tinsmith’s shop, where he rusts away.
Lion
In the classic story of The Wizard of Oz, the lion represents many different things. He is a fearsome beast that hunts prey on the land of Oz. In the movie, he fights Dorothy’s friends on all fours and stands up on his hind legs after roaring. He is an omnipresent presence throughout the story.
A lion can symbolize wisdom, leadership, and universal awareness. In mythology, lions are like the sun gods of their domains. The power and protection of a lion can be very positive. The lion is a good figure to meditate on.
Emerald City
In the Wizard of Oz, the Emerald City and the Wicked Witch are symbols that point to the political issues of the late 1800s. The symbolism is very deep and goes deep into the story and the characters. It goes so far as to include the famous slippers, the cyclone, and Toto. The central message of the story is about the rise of Populism, and the debate over gold and silver.
The Emerald City is also symbolic of the way the government views the world. For example, the ruler of the Emerald City wants everything to appear green. This way, he can control the people’s perception of reality. As a result, reality is hidden from the common man. In addition, the Emerald City is not magical.