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Does "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" have a hidden message? - David B. Parker

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TEDEd Animation

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In his introduction to “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” L. Frank Baum claims that the book is simply an innocent children’s story. But some scholars have found hidden criticisms of late-nineteenth-century economic policies in the book. Is it possible that one of America’s favorite children’s stories is also a subversive parable? David B. Parker investigates the text for clues.

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Who was the high school History teacher who first suggested that "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" reflected certain aspects of American culture and politics?

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator David B. Parker
  • Director Avi Ofer
  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Animator Avi Ofer
  • Illustrator Avi Ofer
  • Composer Marcos Tawil
  • Associate Producer Jessica Ruby
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

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