Allusions to 19th-century America[edit]
Many decades after its publication, Baum's work gave rise to a number of political interpretations, particularly in regards to the 19th-century Populist movement in the United States.[45] In a 1964 American Quarterly article titled "The Wizard of Oz: Parable on Populism",[46] educator Henry Littlefield posited that the book served an allegory for the late 19th-century bimetallism debate regarding monetary policy.[47][48] Littlefield's thesis achieved some support but was widely criticized by others.[49][50][51] Other political interpretations soon followed. In 1971, historian Richard J. Jensen theorized in The Winning of the Midwest that "Oz" was derived from the common abbreviation for "ounce", used for denoting quantities of gold and silver.
Was the American author writing an allegory about current monetary politics? I would expect him to grab whatever interesting plot might sell. Good authors reflect their current themes because it sells. This author was good at his business likely wrote in the most popular debates. Like comedians, always pick the popular them and satirize it with neutrality.
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