Erisman, Fred. "L. Frank Baum and the Progressive Dilemma." American Quarterly. Vol. 20, No. 3 (Autumn, 1968), pp. 616-623. 28 November 2008.<http://proxy.library.upenn.edu:2097/stable/2711021?&Search=yes&term=baum&term=dilemma&term=progressive&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dbaum%2BAND%2Bthe%2Bprogressive%2Bdilemma;gw%3Djtx;prq%3Dbaum%2BAND%2Bthe%2Bprogressive%2Bdilema;Search%3DSearch;hp%3D25;wc%3Don&item=1&ttl=503&returnArticleService=showArticle>.

Fred Erisman suggests that L. Frank Baum's series of books about the magical Land of Oz reflect Progressivism in the United States. According to Erisman, The Wizard of Oz is grounded in a series of traditional values, including the ideal of a simple America. This principle is also a tenet of American Progressivism, along with the importance of individualism. In The Wizard of Oz, the characters have the utmost respect for the individual. For example, the Lion states "to be individual, my friends, to be different from others, is the only way to become distinguished from the common herd" (quoted in Erisman, 618). Throughout the story, individualism and simplicity are intertwined with necessary interplay of work and leisure, so as to reflect the Progressive Movement, which began in the late 1800s, but only grew in popularity in the beginning of the 20^th century. In Baum's story, utopia is achieved in Oz; the Ozians "practice the ideals of generosity, simplicity, individualism and industry as part of their daily lives," (Erisman, 620). However, these ideals are unattainable outside of Oz. Erisman proposes that Baum's decision to create a successful utopia which mirrors progressivism was perhaps a way for him to present his hope for the future of America. In 1899, when Baum wrote the story, Progressivism had not achieved great success. However, throughout the early and mid 1900s, these ideals began to have an impact on American politics.

Erisman's assertion that Baum may have utilized the Land of Oz to project this vision for America is particularly interesting in light of the events which followed both the release of the book and of the film. For example, one of the main platforms of the Progressive Movement was the conservation of the environment and, by 1909 President Theodore Roosevelt had established over 40 million acres of national forest. Following the release of the film, Henry Wallace became a leader of the Progressive movement as he advocated better relations with the Soviet Union and could envision a world in which everyone lived in peace. Although Baum's utopia is never attained in America, some of the ideals woven throughout the story do become tenets of mainstream American politics. Whether or not The Wizard of Oz led to this transformation is unknown. However, either way, the film did reflect the Progressive Movement which regained popularity in the late 1930s and 1940s.