Wizard of Allegory Part 2

While Dorothy represents the average American trying to decide between a gold standard or a silver standard, the other characters she encounters represent minorities throughout America trying to push their agendas through Congress in Washington D.C. (Emerald City).

First, the Scarecrow represents the importance the monetary standard of America means to the farmer. The rise of industrial America had  dwarfed American agriculture. One could say that the farming industry of the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s forgot what their purpose was, similar to how the Scarecrow lacked any memories or brain.

Secondly, the Tin Man represents the importance of the monetary standard to industrial companies, such as Rockefeller’s Standard Oil or Carnegie Steel. He represents the growing industrial sector and its increasingly prominent sway in American politics. The reference to the effects of Rockefeller’s oil monopoly on the American economy are seen through the Tin Man needing to be oiled regularly. The stereotypical callousness of wealthy businessmen is clearly portrayed through the Tin Man needing a heart.

The Cowardly Lion does not represent a minority but a specific person, a two time presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan. He was a man who believed in switching America to the silver standard, thus his presence makes since accompanying Dorothy to the Emerald City. Bryan was called cowardly because of his notion that a war with Spain over the Philippines at the turn of the century was a mistake.

Finally, Dorothy’s trusted dog Toto is a reference to a “Teetotaler” otherwise known as prohibitionist. These “teetotalers” or prohibitionists stood firm with the Progressive Party that wanted to switch to a silver currency backing, so naturally he would want to direct Dorothy toward the right choice or path.

This band of allegorical misfits travel down the yellow brick road (or the gold standard) in hopes to gain what they each desire. However, in order to accomplish what they desire, the wizard sends this group off the yellow brick road, or gold standard.

Wizard of Allegory Part 1

For the last century, Americans have been enthralled by the fantasy novel The Wizard of Oz. What many of the fans fail to notice is that historians and economists believe The Wizard of Oz is an allegory for the happenings and events of America during the turn of the 20th century. In order to most effectively understand the novel of Frank L. Baum, one must understand the world in which he wrote.

During the turn of the twentieth century, Americans had to choose who would lead the nation, and that depended heavily upon an economic issue: the gold standard. The gold standard is a term applied to a currency that is backed by material gold, like America’s currency was in the 1900’s. New movements wanted to take the US dollar bill off of a gold standard and instead back the US currency with an equal amount of silver. This was due to the fact that silver was more plentiful, and contemporary economists believed this might help boost the economy of the early 1900’s.

This time was known as the “Gilded Age”, a term coined by author Mark Twain because society presented itself as rich when it really was not (thus gilded applies because it means only covered in gold not made of the substance). These few decades brought rise to the first real titans of industry such as John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie.

Baum answers these questions through the protagonist Dorothy Gale, who throughout the Allegory represents the average American voter. A stark contrast from the hit film starring Judy Garland and the novel was that in the novel, the slippers were made silver instead of ruby. This means that in an era when people would question the value of gold or silver, Dorothy Gale sought her happiness by walking down a yellow (Golden/Gilded) brick road while wearing silver slippers.

Baum uses this plot-line to reveal what he believes America should use as its monetary backer. The characters and places Dorothy Gale visits along her journey only add to the allegory of The Wizard of Oz.

Characterizing the Spongebob Squarepants Show: Spongebob Squarepants

In order to fully understand the titular character of the Spongebob Squarepants show, one must understand the inspiration for the character. While the main characters of the show are based on the seven deadly sins, the lest obvious correlation between a character and a sin is between Spongebob and his respective sin. In actuality, Spongebob Squarepants represents a non-conventional but accurate portrayal of the sin Lust.

Many people only view Lust as desire associated with sex or a sexual act; however, the word is also used to describe a strong desire for anything. This definition is often used when someone is power-hungry, and such characters are said to have a lust for power. A perfect example of this definition is Frank Underwood from House of Cards, a man who lusts for or desires political power. With this new definition in mind, that lust means a strong desire for anything, Spongebob Squarepants definitely qualifies for the transgression of Lust.

What Spongebob lusts for is perfection. In such episodes as “Best Day Ever”, Spongebob chases his dream day; unfortunately, whenever the day does not go according to his plans, he believes the day is completely ruined. Furthermore, almost all of the antics Spongebob gets himself into involve him trying to accomplish something he believes will make his life more perfect, (i.e. trying to befriend his neighbor Squidward because he believes that having friendly relations with all his neighbors is the ideal lifestyle). He does not really care about his friends’ lives. He only cares about what they can add to his life.

This challenging definition of Lust offered by the team behind Spongebob Squarepants causes an inward reflection. While Lust is most easily shown through as a need for sexual pleasures, it can manifest itself in other areas of life. In order to challenge perfection, the creative team at Nickelodeon deliverers a character who almost always seems to have a perfect life. He has a caring best friend, a good home, and a job he loves. He even treats one of his greatest opponents in the show, Squidward, with love and compassion. Spongebob’s ability to live not only a seemingly perfect American dream, but also accomplish one of the foundational commandments to Western religion (love your neighbor), is often used to overlook his underlying issues. He works harder than most to achieve his dream, but he has an obsession nonetheless. His obsession causes him to ruin situations that are fine, but not corresponding to his definition of perfection.

Maybe creator Stephen Hillenburg intended to portray Lust as the least of the seven deadly sins when he created Spongebob Squarepants. After all, his intense passion for life, friends, and occupation appear to bring him greater happiness and more substantial achievements than any other character on the Spongebob Squarepants show.

Characterizing the Spongebob Squarepants Show: Squidward Tentacles and Sandy Cheeks

Two supporting characters known for their extreme personalities are Squidward Tentacles and Sandy Cheeks. They most noticeably reflect their respective representative sin more than any other character.

Squidward Tentacles, Spongebob’s neighbor and co-worker, represents the sin of Wrath. Squidward personifies Wrath’s definition perfectly by spurning the love of his friends and opting for negativity instead. His pessimistic attitude is the drive for a countless number of plots. While Spongebob and Patrick Star attempt to include Squidward in a various array of activities, he never lets himself enjoy the fun he could be having with Spongebob and company. The shows creator, Stephen Hillenburg, lets Squidward shine through as a vindictive wit in an effort show that people can become too uptight and worried about their day to day issues. He is a passionate individual who strives for success in audible and visual art; unfortunately, his passion turns to obsession and eventually leads to his anger.

Sandy Cheeks, a squirrel from Texas, personifies the deadly sin of pride. Sandy is shown to be extremely smart and very passionate about areas ranging from robotics to biology. Hillenburg not only shows her at times as a pompous scientist but as a boastful Texan. The greatest example of her love of Texas comes in the episode “Texas”. Spongebob and Patrick are able to change Sandy’s decision to move back home by stalling her through the mockery of her Texan heritage. Sandy’s entire life is altered by her decision to beat up Spongebob and Patrick because they are mocking her home state. Even though she is extremely smart, Sandy Cheeks cannot stop herself from making rash decisions based on her pride. She shows the audience that while one can be intelligent, that does not mean one is completely immune to pride or any other sin.

Squidward and Sandy blatantly allow their emotions to control their words and sometimes their actions. In order to show the audience what can happen when someone doesn’t control emotions like anger or pride, Stephen Hillenburg created Squidward Tentacles and Sandy Cheeks.

Characterizing The Spongebob Squarepants Show: Mr. Krabs and Plankton

In addition to Patrick Star and Gary, Mr. Krabs and Plankton represent similar deadly sins, Greed and Envy. While both of these sins involve the perpetrator to desire more than what they already have, they differ in that Envy involves coveting someone else’s possessions and Greed involves wanting more while disregarding anything else.

The rivalry of Mr. Eugene Krabs and Sheldon Plankton might seem like a struggle between two different ideas; when in reality, they both desire something similar. In order to portray a literary foil, the characters of Eugene Krabs and Sheldon Plankton are portrayed as total opposites. For instance, Mr. Krabs is large while Plankton is microscopic, Mr. Krabs is red while Plankton is green,  and Mr. Krabs is a hero while Plankton is often portrayed as a villain. Looking at the sins they represent, Greed and Envy, the shows view their vices differently as well. Mr. Krabs is portrayed as a hero of Industry, a great Capitalist. His problematic desire for wealth is almost tolerated within the show. In contrast, Plankton is shown to be an envious competitor, desiring to achieve wealth by cheating the capitalist system. The show and its creator Hillenburg appear to clearly define the roles of these characters and the roles they symbolize in modern society.

A deeper analysis of these characters show a different story. The tension built up by their physical appearance and societal views serves only as misdirection from their true nature, equals. Both Eugene Krabs and Sheldon Plankton are not happy with their current financial status. This is the fundamental building block of their characters, their only difference is that Mr. Krabs achieves success through greed while Plankton attempts to achieve it through stealing other peoples success. Hillenburg attempts to show that neither the Capitalist nor the envious competitor is more guilty or more justified. They are both equally responsible for how they let their sins effect their future decisions.

This sad revelation shows that no matter how powerful a Capitalist becomes, they will never be satisfied. It shows that envy never leads to success because one can never become truly successful off of someone else’s hard work.

Characterizing The Spongebob Squarepants Show: Patrick Star & Gary

Aired on May 1st, 1999, Spongebob Squarepants became a facet of culture still producing new episodes even today.  While Americans have debated the messages of the yellow sponge for over a decade, he has come to hold a special place in the development of youth between the late 1990’s and present day America. Many people, however, do not know that the show’s creator based the seven main characters on the seven deadly sins of the Bible. A brief comparison between the show’s characters and the sins of Sloth, Gluttony, Greed, Envy, Wrath, Pride, and Lust show that Stephen Hillenburg, marine biologist turned animator, intended his show to reflect these deadly vices. More specifically, Patrick Star and Gary the Snail represent two sins often mistaken for the same vice.

Sloth can be defined as the sin of inaction or laziness. Patrick Star, perhaps the most recognizable starfish on the planet, personifies laziness so much as to earn an award for his laziness as seen in the episode, “Big Pink Loser”. He can be best described as a helpful playmate for Spongebob who never really achieves anything without his friends compulsion. Patrick Star provides comic relief, arguably the most humorous character, but at a terrible cost. His inactivity leads to dis-involvement  from education to purpose of life. Even though his character is humorous, the show displays that without drive or action, ones life can reach a dreary stalemate. Thus, Hillenburg challenges his audience to reflect back on themselves, and re-access their own life desires and what one must do to achieve their goals.

The easiest way to personify the overindulgence involved with the sin of Gluttony is in regard to food. Gary, Spongebob’s pet snail, is a simple, yet effective projection of the evil involved with overindulgence. In the episode “Have You Seen This Snail?”, Gary runs away from Spongebob because he forgets to feed him. On his own, Gary finds a new owner he thinks will provide the best home he has ever had. In reality, she is feeding Gary so much food causing him to overlook the signs that she eats snails. He eventually escapes and finds his way back to Spongebob. Gary shows the audience that tunnel vision, whether one is focusing on food or other aspects of life, can cause oneself to overlook important details.

Both Patrick Star and Gary are powerful symbols that remind the cartoon’s audience, whether a child or a parent, to remain vigilant. It reminds them to neither become heavily involved in something to the point where that prevents good judgment, nor to become so detached as to lose a purpose in the world.

Lord Baltimore & Me

The city of Baltimore has seen its fair share of minorities. Most recently the movie and musical Hairspray highlighted the effects that racism had on this city. Since the inception of this bay city on the Chesapeake, the history of Baltimore has been deeply routed with rivalries between factions.

In 1634 the English settled the colony of Baltimore. The charter was granted to George Calvert, the Lord of Baltimore. He settled this colony as a refuge for the persecuted Catholics in England; regardless of its original purpose, Maryland would not remain a Catholic haven for long. Protestant settlers came in from other American colonies and formed a lower class; moreover this new social structure caused more strife among the protestants and Catholics.

Flash forward to the time period Hairspray is set in. Its a musical time period piece portraying the horrors of racism even in the liberal north. Every African American from Motor-mouth Mable to Seaweed is cast aside because of their race, no one judges them for their talent. Enter Tracy Turnblad, the big-boned dancer, who shakes up the entire Baltimore entertainment industry. She sides with the African-American community in an attempt to allow everyone the right to dance. While the period tale of racism is not to be missed, the real story is presence of a new minority.

Obesity is a growing problem in America. The reaction to Tracy’s size was an indicator of the future of American high schools and American culture in general. Those who are larger are now looked down upon. It is a shame that American culture has become so predictable; furthermore the brilliance of this musical cannot be overstated. Hairspray gives hopes to the overweight masses that in the end they can get the popular guy or defeat their blonde-haired nemesis. The allegory of American hatred towards past and present minorities makes Hairspray one of the most applicable musicals written to date.

The Hunger Games Shows Why the Good Die Young

In the past half-decade, The Hunger Games has erupted onto the global cultural stage. Some groups praise the inclusion of a strong female role model; others condemn the story of Ms. Everdeen since she is forced to battle other children. From either viewpoint, Katniss Everdeen and her fellow tributes have captured the attention and focus of American culture.

Many have credited the plot to various Greek myths, including the myth of Theseus. In this myth, the King of Crete defeated the city-state of Athens; furthermore, after they were defeated, he demanded an equal number of male and female tributes to be sent into the King of Crete’s labyrinth every year. Inside, they would face the monstrous Minotaur and certain death. While similarities to this myth are undoubtable, a more modern truth reveals itself as the reason behind the use of child sacrifice in Suzanne Collins’s novel. Collins condemns the use of teenagers in warfare.

War is both malicious and eternal; many suffer from it; and it is waged anew shortly after it ends. This is most evident in the modern Middle-Eastern conflicts between both al-Qaeda and now ISIS. Shortly after the al-Qaeda bellwether, Osama bin Laden, was killed, the militaristic group known as ISIS has come to be viewed as the newest icon of global terror. The point is war will never end, but the ones who wage war rarely fight themselves. When President Snow is finally assassinated in the third installment of the Hunger Games trilogy entitled Mockingjay, it is not because he died in battle but because his enemies finally apprehend him. He uses almost all available resources to prevent his death, including the young men and women enlisted in his forces. Osama bin Laden also enlisted the aid of impressionable adolescents to help him rise to and retain power.

The real revelation comes when Americans reflect on how their own military is recruited. Make no mistake, the greatest respect and honor should be given to the American soldiers; however, blame must be given to recruitment officers and generals. Many times, they find wayward and impressionable adolescents to join their ranks. Collins reveals to the American public a truth that has been hiding in plain sight. Children fight every day; it is a shame American culture only responds with such conservative views when the real-life scenarios are placed metaphorically into fictional works.

The Hunger Games provides an allegory to the horrors going on even in our own country. It calls Americans out on their own hypocritical views. This worldwide phenomenon hits close to American hearts and painfully reveals the sacrifice of our young, brave soldiers.