The Wizard of Oz in Historical Context: Reel Life to Real Life Sukhprit Kaur 11th Grade

During the early 20th century, America faced a time of uncertainty and despair during the stock market crash in late 1929. People all over the country were unemployed and many were dying due to starvation and to malnutrition. Also, marriage rates dropped as the divorce rates rose. There was utter chaos and unrest throughout the country since it affected the American class to some extent. Together as a nation they had to learn how to overcome this era of grief. This era which that is now known as the Great Depression. It not only hurt the American people financially, but also emotionally. The moods and spirits of the people had dropped the along with economy. They were in need of an escape that would serve as an outlet in their daily lives. Something they could relate to, something that had the ability to create a sense of comfort and familiarity. They found this outlet in movies. The Wizard of Oz, a classic that first screened in 1939, helped lift the spirits of the Americans during the Great Depression through symbolism and by metaphorically relating the characters to the different divisions of Americans.

Movies were the source of entertainment that served as an outlet during this emotionally challenging time. Many of these...