This week we discussed the Wizzard of Oz as an allegory for the Populism, a political movement that promoted an end to the gold standard, increased rights for farmers and industrial workers and a reduction in corporate influence in government structures. For your blog this week, I'd like you to chose one of the following assignments that is thematically related to our current unit. Of course, you may complete both assignments if you're seeking extra credit.
Article A is an editorial by political columnist Terry Slater that questions the effectiveness of political parties in making social changes in modern society using the symbolism in Oz:
OR
Article B by New York Times columnist Paul Krugman analyzes how a return to the gold standard would affect modern society:
http://www.pkarchive.org/cranks/goldbug.html
http://www.pkarchive.org/cranks/goldbug.html
Summarize the article and explain how it relates to the historical information you learned in class. Be sure to reference the author's position on modern political, social and economic issues in the United States. What are your thoughts on his perspective?
This assignment should be at least 200 words and include a response to the post of one or more of your peers.
Due Saturday March 1 by 8:00 pm
This assignment should be at least 200 words and include a response to the post of one or more of your peers.
Due Saturday March 1 by 8:00 pm
20 comments:
Cherricka
"Wizard of Oz": a parable for 2008?” was a cute article explaining how the “Wizard of Oz” connects with populism and the government today. “During her pilgrimage along "The Yellow Brick Road," Dorothy was joined by a scarecrow who longed a brain. The scarecrow didn't realize he already had one and simply needed to learn to use it. The pair then encountered a cowardly lion. He hoped the wizard would give him with courage, not understanding that courage only can come from within. Finally, they met a tin man rusted in place. The oil he needed to free himself sat practically at his feet while he longed desperately for the heart he already had.” What the author is trying to say is that people today, and people during the populism era all have or had what it took, yet they needed the government or the man above to tell them. In the “Wizard of Oz” all the characters had exactly what they were in search for, but they just needed someone to tell them this. Just like in today’s society there are many people who want money a better job etc. They would go through struggles not realizing that they are doing just fine. You don’t need someone to tell you what you need and what you have. People should learn to figure things out on their own and stop letting other people do it for them. Therefore, I agree with Terry Sater when he says “…a central government can do only so much to help its citizens fulfill their wishes [the rest is up to us].
Karmila Saulong
Block F
It never occured to me that the Wizard of OZ was completely symbolic of the gold standard. The movie created an insight for populism. The rights of farmers and industrial workers were exemplified throughout the movie. If the gold standard was to return to modern society, America would not have progressed as much as it has today. Another crash in the stock markets and a Great Depression would take control of the economy like in 1987. The value of the dollar has been deflating and inflating over time. However, with the gold standard, many people in America would be struggling to make a living because the money in circulation would be used. Also, the gold standard would provide a fixed rate for all nations which would not always be that great. Krugman believes that the rich may again be corrupt with consuming wealth. Economically, the decision to return to the gold standard is not wise according to the article. There are many disadvantages and gold isn't a reliable way to measure the value of goods. I agree with Krugman especially since many peophave forgotten that gold is only a metal. The return of the gold standard may be appealing to many people, but there aren't enough benifits. The Gold Standard was dismissed in 1971 and should stay that way. Although Cherricka picked a different article than I, I agree with the quote she used "a central government can do only so much to help its citizens fulfill their wishes [the rest is up to us]". The government can only try to provide enough for the country, especially money wise.
Loretta Au
Block F
February 29, 2008
Frank Baum wrote “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” in 1900. The story was written to portray the injustice of the Gold Standard. Each character in the novel represented a different group of Americans that were affected by the Gold Standard. Terry Sater’s “’Wizard of Oz’: a parable for 2008?” is a summary of the “Wizard of Oz”. The article explains the importance of each character and object and the symbolism hidden before it. The cyclone that took Dorothy’s house represented the political revolution. Along her journey to Emerald City, she meets a brainless scarecrow, a cowardly lion, and a heartless tin man. When they reach Emerald City they are disappointed to discover that the “great and all powerful” cannot grant their wishes as they’d been promised. The story represents the conflict during the Gold Standard because it was unfair to the farmers that industrial business workers were earning all the money, leaving nothing for the hardworking farmers and workers. When the common people go to the government for help though, they are, like Dorothy and company, disappointed to discover that they will not help. Terry Sater’s perspective on “The Wizard of Oz” is basically agreement to the impact it had on society. He was encouraging of the Populist Party to take back what would have been rightfully theirs.
Loretta Au
Response to Karmila
I totally didn't know "The Wizard of Oz" represented anything either. I was so surprised when I found out that it made such a great impact on society. Although the government can try to improve the economy, I don't feel they are doing enough or working to the best of their ability to improve the nation.
Shaun Quinto
3/1/08
After reading "'Wizard of Oz': a parable for 2008?" by Terry Sater, I not only found a clear understanding of the symbolism of the novel, but also the relevance to today's society. The "Wonderful Wizard of OZ" by L. Frank Baum is entirely a symbol for the turn of the 20th century. Each character in the book represents something important during that time period. The main character, Dorothy, is the American people. The scarecrow represents the farmers, while the tin man represents the industrial workers. The lion is a symbol of the leader of the Populist party, William Jennings Bryan. Each of these characters had to travel the yellow brick road to find what they were truly looking for. As they met he great Wizard of Oz, they all learn what they were in search of different characteristics, but they all found out what they wanted all along was inside of them and they just needed to learn how to bring it out. The scarecrow learned how to use his brain on the journey. The tin man always had a heart, but on the journey started to use it. Finally, the lion really was courageous but he didnt know it. The lesson Stater exposed to us was a government can't do everything for you. The author felt that a government can provide an opporuntiy, protection, and basic needs, but they can't fulfill our wishes. They lay the ground work to give us the chance to succeed, but the individual must take advantage of the potential he/she is given. I agree with his point of view. The government is only there to lay the groundwork for us, and make sure we do have the chance to succeed. Then it is up to us to choose whether we succeed or not. I also agree with Karmila. The symbolism behind the novel is new to me. I had no idea that a simple children's movie could mean so much to society.
Terry Sater, a political columnist, gave strong opinions on the futility of political parties in making social changes in modern society in his article, "Wizard of Oz: a parable for 2008?" Frank Baum’s novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, relates directly to the populist movement during the turn of the 20th century. In 1854, the Kansas-Nebraska Act opened 50 million acres of land, providing fertile soil for farmers and railroads. However, just as Aunt Em and Uncle Henry in the novel was never joyful, after droughts struck in 1887, many settlers gave up and promoted coinage of silver. The cyclone was the victory of silver forces that carries Dorothy (all people) to destroy the eastern money power favoring gold. When Dorothy follows the yellow brick road with her silver slippers in Baum’s novel, it symbolized the proper relationship between silver and gold. Just as the wizard confessed to having no magical powers in Emerald City, Washington D.C. and the central government is only capable of helping the citizens to the certain extent. “Government can provide protection, some basic services and the opportunity for people to reach their fullest potential in life.” Sater stated that the government provides enough for the citizens to achieve success, and whether they do or not is within themselves. I strongly agree with his position, because the government cannot anticipate every single circumstance. As Shaun said, those who wish to succeed must be aware and take advantage of their potential to thrive.
"Wizard of Oz": a parable for 2008? by Terry Sater is an article explaining the allgory and symbolism of an American classic, The Wizzard of Oz. Echoed by the article, the Wizard of Oz was at first, a novel written by by L. Frank Baum in 1900. The novel circled the topic of populism. Each character represented a type of man that contributed to the populist era and further before that,the Gilded Age. Dorothy represented an American sweethart , I would say. The article, opinionates that she embodied American traditions. However, at almost every scene in the movie she looked frightened and scared.Yet she was determined to see the Wizard and get back home to her aunt and uncle. Both withches represented some form of industrilization and wealth.The "cowardly lion" was William Jennings Bryan. Bryan supported bimetalism and/or the silver standard. His sysmbolism of a coward is one I don't understand. Did Baum portray him as a coward because he could not live up to the gold standard and wanted to make changes?The scarecrow represented the country's western farmers and the tin man prepresented its industrial workers. Which makes perfect logical sense. The "little people" also known as the Munchkins represented the working class.The "Yellow Brick Road" symbolized the gold standard. Lastly, Dorothy's uncle and aunt symbolized the popular movement and its effect on the people. Dorothy and her family lived in Kansas which was apart of the Nebraska- Kansas and Homestead Act , which also supplied famers with tons of land. The unfortunate part about this was that the land underwent terrible droughts . This caused them to cultivate little to notting and attempt to survive in deflation. Dorothy's journey with her friends in her silver shoes walking over the golden path road symbolized how Baum, the author, felt about U.S economic depression and the gold standard. He was totally against it and probably felt that the silver standard should replace the gold standard. The cyclone represented the Progressive revolution, supporting the opinion that the gold standard should die out. Sater's, the author of the article, last paragraph sounded much of what a modern liberal would say today.The citizens are what makes a country successful. It is the government's job to supply the poeple with whatever it wants to economically and somewhat politically achieve its goals. In the movie/ novel, the Wizard(Pesident Mckinley) was percieved to be someone with so much power, but in fact, he ended up looking like a fake. I tottaly agree with Sater's statment. The goverment should support its country's wish to be successful and leave those who wish not to be apart of the success alone.
In response to Karmila's comment of "the value of the dollar has been deflating and inflating over time" is very scary, yet true. We are actually seeing that today with high prices of gas, milk and little things as, gum. The American value of a dollar is way up than how it used to be since last year.
~ Dijah... Yo!
"The Wonderful World of Oz," by L. Frank Baum was written full of metaphors for that time period in the United States. Terry Sater of STLtoday.com analyzed Baum's work in "'Wizard of Oz': a parable for 2008?" The Gold Standard was a negative aspect to the American economy in the early 1900's. The Gold Standard was when the money in circulation had to equal the amount of gold bars in the national treasury. The bad part about that was many rich people did niot care to put their money in banks or have their gold in the treasury, which stunted the amount of money in circulation. So, Dorothy (the americans), the Tin Man (industrialists), the Cowardly Lion (William Jennings) and the Scarecrow (farmers) paraded down the 'YELLOW brick road'(the gold standard). I do agree with Cherricka, whom agreed with Terry Slater on the subject that the government can only do so much to help it's people, the rest is up to us. "Those who dream, on the other hand, of a government to grant their every wish and meet their every need best seek it somewhere else — over the rainbow" (Slater).
Melissa Coughlin
Ciara Gonzalez
Wizard of Oz: A Parable For 2008 by Terry Sater is an articlethat describes the relation between the Wizard of Oz movie and the current government. All the main characters in the movie represent different groups in society. For example, the scarecrow represents the farmers and the tin man represents the industry workers. All these characters have power in society that they dont realize, similiar to real life. At the end of the article he states "Those who dream, on the other hand, of a government to grant their every wish and meet their every need best seek it somewhere else — over the rainbow." Showing that he believes the people are the ones who really have the power, not the government.
Ama Kwakye
Block F
March 3rd
"The Wizard of Oz"'s article by Terry Slater seriously shocked me, I didn’t think there was any symbolism in the Wizard of Oz, I considered it to be an ordinary movie that most people enjoyed watching. However in Terry Slater’s article it connected the Wizard of OZ to Populism. The character that stood out to me was McKinley because it symbolized the Gold Standard. During the time there were defiantly people that were against the gold standard but some job corporations were satisfied with it and some were not. The Gold Standard was good for us Americans because if we didn’t exchange the money for Gold we would still be using gold as money. The moral of the Wizard of OZ was the government can’t really control the way one thinks as much as they may use propaganda, all the government can do is just give us a base. I didn’t actually see how the movie embarks the way the government couldn’t do what the citizens wanted if that’s the case then what’s the point of having a government.
Unlike Terry Slater, in the second article by Paul Krugman, he talked about why he wanted the Gold standard back and he didn’t want it to ever go, I oppose everything he’s saying because I feel a government should be strong either way. Terris said we should get the gold standard back so that there is an accurate way of measuring the economy. If our country is really strong then we shouldn’t have to worry about what type of gold or what we have.
Cherricka - G: Thoughful and analytical post, though I wish you incorporated some more specific historical detail.
Karmilla - E: Thoughtful and well supported with facts from our current unit.
Loretta - E: Accurate and analytical post.
Shaun - E+: Detailed, specific and analytical. Fantastic work.
Tiffany - E: nice text based references, it's clear you understood and enjoyed this unit.
Kadijat- E- everything was accurate and analytical, but you misrepresented the value of the American dollar, which is acutally on a steady decline.
Melissa - S-: Very thoughtful and accurate, but you didn't comment on another post. Revise this and I'll raise your grade to a G.
Ciara - N+: Thoughtful but doesn't meet two criteria - 1) you must comment on another post 2) you must write 200 words.
Ama- E for effort! - you read both articles and did a great job explaining the key ideas in the OZ article. However, your analysis of Krugman and economic ideas he presents is a little general and lacks evidence , so I can't give you the extra credit.
Janell McBean
F-Block
After reading the article, "Wizard of Oz": a parable for 2008. It seemed as though Terry Sate related the wizard and the four main characters to modern day connections. The wizard is the government and Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion are the citizens of the government. The Wizard was ordering for the four main characters to do his favors for their favors. This having a connection because the government wont do anything for you unless your doing or have done something for them. Also, even though Populism is said to be "involved either as political philosophy urging social and political system changes and/or a rhetorical style, deployed by members of political or social movements competing for advantage within the existing established government." However, its the fact that the government should have its boundaries and limits just as their citizens do. Even though they have the upper hand; that still does not mean that they can have to make others do exactly as they want and/or say. I strongly agree Terry Sater when he states that "...a central government can do only so much to help its citizens fulfill their wishes. This is very powerful and i wish everyone could live by that line. Life would be so much easier and less complicated.
Tarina Meaders
3/4/08
A block
Article A,"Wizard of Oz": a parable for 2008?" written by Terry Slater explains the symbolism in the movie 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' in the time of the populism movement. Many people believe that after the removal of the Gold standard working class individuals should have certain, fair rights. Towards the end of Slaters article he points out the main connection between Oz and the Gold Standard/Populism era. In the film, the tin-man, scarecrown and the lion all long for things that they already obtain. Luckily, the three hopeful characters have the wizard to show them that all they needed to find those gifts was the everlasting belief in themselves, and the willingness to use them. Similarly, the issues within the government around the Populism era explain peoples dependence on the government. Terry Slater explains that when there is a problem, citizens should be able to ask the government for help but when it all boils down, the individual is the real holder of his fate. One can only be spoon fed for so long.
Yasmeen Sweatte
F Block
3.5.08
Blog Post: "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" was a story written to show the unfairness of the Gold Standard. In the movie each character was a symbol of a group of people that were affected by the Standard. "Wizard of Oz":a parable for 2008? was basically, an explanation of each character and their connection to the Gold Standard. The Gold Standard was something good for most Americans because, if people wouldn't still be using gold for trade. Slater feels, "Those who dream, on the other hand, of a government to grant their every wish and meet their every need best seek it somewhere else-over the rainbow". What I think Slater meant by this quotation is, that one who dreams of the government meeting their needs and giving them what they want, often satisfy their own needs and, dont ever realized it. In the article by Paul Krugman, basically talked about how he supported the Gold Standard. He feels, "The Gold Standard is an accurate way of measuring the economy". I disagree with Krugma 100% because, don't think money nor gold can measure an economy. However, I do believe it is the wise decisions of each individual livinfg within the economy that "measures" the economy.
Blog Response: I agree with Tarina 100% about "the individual is the real holder of his fate. One can only be spoon fed for so long". I also believe that one is responsible for themselves after a period of time.
From the First artlice I have read By Terry Slater, was about how the populist movement was through the Wizard of Oz. The oz was the one who had created the connection, with the farmers and the gold standard. the yellow brick road was made to be the gold standard.The Farmers needed to help themselves and get the government's attention. Terry Sater had made the Wizard of Oz the America's central government. It tured out to be powerless little man with so much wisdom.Many people had thought he had the ability to grant wishers. But its the strong central goverment and the people that believe the government has all ability to solve all problems.
ashleyyyyyyyyyyyyyy=]
Ms. Francis, i did comment on another post. i mentioned Cherricka's post[:
Ciara Gonzalez
Wizard of Oz: A Parable For 2008 by Terry Sater is an article that describes the relationship between the infamous movie The Wizard of Oz and its connection to the government. After learning about America’s government and people in the 1800’s, it becomes apparent that the main characters in the movie represent different groups of people in society. For example, the scarecrow represents the farmers and the tin man represents the industry workers. Just as seen in them movie, both groups of people have power in society that they don’t realize. The Wizard Of Oz also symbolizes the government, because he only has as much power as the people give him. Basically, the government controls the citizens only as much as we allow it too. During the time when the gold standard was used the government was a big issue because it did not benefit the poorer people in any way. If anything, it made it extremely difficult for them to make a living. At the end of the article he states "Those who dream, on the other hand, of a government to grant their every wish and meet their every need best seek it somewhere else — over the rainbow." Showing that he believes the people are the ones who really have the power, not the government. As Cherricka states in her post, people should begin to figure issues out on their own, and stop handing the government all the power.
Janelle - S
Tarina- G
Ashley S-
Ciara G-
Missy - sorry! Make that a G
Yasmeen - S
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