Final answer:
The land of Oz created by L. Frank Baum symbolizes the political and social issues in late nineteenth-century America, aligning with the Populist movement political allegory.
Step-by-step explanation:
The land of Oz, as described by L. Frank Baum, has often been interpreted as an allegory for the political landscape of late nineteenth-century America, specifically in relation to the Populist movement. Baum's characters, including Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion, are believed to represent different facets of American society and political issues of the time.
For instance, the Scarecrow represented farmers, the Tin Man symbolized industrial workers, and the Cowardly Lion reflected political leaders who lack courage. Moreover, the Emerald City and the Wizard himself, who turned out to be a fraud, symbolized the facile promises of politicians who could not live up to expectations.
The novel 'The Wizard of Oz' conveyed a Populist message through its narrative structure and characters. The yellow-brick road they travel on is often interpreted as a symbol for the gold standard, and the silver shoes (which were ruby red in the 1939 film adaptation) that Dorothy wears are thought to represent the Populist's goal of free silver.