The Wizard of Oz: A Parable on Populism

The Fable of the Allegory The Wizard of OZ in Economics

Writing Assignment for Essay 1

After reading both articles describe the parody that L. Frank Baum supposedly meant the “Wonderful Wizard of OZ” to portray. Do you find the assertion of the allegory persuasive or is the connection between the “Wonderful Wizard of OZ” and the economic situation at the turn of the century itself a fable as the Hansen article asserts?

Signs of Friction a Portrait of America at Century’s End from A Fierce Discontent

Compare and Contrast the lives of the wealthy “10” and the lives of those who made up the working and farming classes of America. How do the ideas of “individualism” and “mutualism” help to define the differences between the various classes? Were farm families more like the wealthy “10” of the urban working families?
Be very detailed and specific in your essay. Be sure to use the conventions and writing guidelines established for the course.

• Length: 2-3 pages; please keep the essay to no more than 3 pages. Format: Doubled-spaced, typed, font in Times New Roman or Arial, size 12. 1-inch margins all around. Written work for this course is to be submitted only in either Microsoft Word (.doc) or Rich Text Format (.rtf).
• Why an essay? Students will have the opportunity to gain an understanding of historical inquiry and writing. Reading is a significant part of any historical project. Students selecting an essay topic are also encouraged to use an additional source or two to enhance the experience. Please do not cite the textbook and online reference sources Wikipedia and Britannica, Infoplease, Sparknotes, Answers.com, Ask.com, et cetera. Make use of the online readings posted on the Calendar, supplemental materials posted in the session folders, or journal articles, government documents, newspapers, magazines, and books available through Ivy Tech Library’s Discover! Links to an external site.or print sources at your local library.