The Flying Monkeys in L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz are widely interpreted by some writers as a symbolic representation of Native Americans in the American West during the late 19th century. This interpretation is often linked to the historical context of the time Baum was writing and his personal views.
Deeper Meaning of the Flying Monkeys
The theory that the Winged Monkeys represent Native Americans stems from a critical analysis of L. Frank Baum's own attitudes and writings. Baum, the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, held specific views regarding American Indians, which were reflected in some of his earlier published works.
L. Frank Baum's Historical Context and Views
- Period of Writing: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was published in 1900, at a time when the American West had recently undergone significant expansion and conflict involving indigenous populations. The late 1800s saw the end of the Indian Wars and the forced assimilation of Native Americans onto reservations.
- Baum's Earlier Writings: Before Oz, Baum published newspaper editorials that expressed harsh views on Native Americans, advocating for their extermination or complete subjugation to resolve the "Indian problem." These writings are starkly similar in tone and description to how the Winged Monkeys are portrayed in the Oz books.
- Symbolism of Control: In the story, the Winged Monkeys are bound by an enchanted cap, forced to obey the commands of whoever possesses it, including the Wicked Witch of the West. This can be seen as an allegory for the loss of autonomy and forced control experienced by Native American tribes during westward expansion. Their wild, free nature is curtailed by an external power, mirroring the displacement and confinement of indigenous peoples.
Characteristics and Interpretations
The parallels drawn between the Flying Monkeys and Native Americans include:
- Untamed Nature: Initially, the Monkeys are depicted as wild, untamed creatures that once roamed freely. This aligns with stereotypical perceptions of indigenous peoples as "savage" or "uncivilized" in the historical narratives of the time.
- Forced Servitude: Their curse, which compels them to obey the owner of the Golden Cap, mirrors the subjugation and forced relocation of Native American tribes by the U.S. government. They are powerful but ultimately controlled by external forces.
- Destruction and Dispossession: The Monkeys are used as tools of destruction by the Wicked Witch, often to clear obstacles or assert dominance, which could be seen as a metaphor for the destructive impact of westward expansion on indigenous lands and cultures.
While the story is a fantasy, many literary critics and historians have pointed to these underlying societal reflections in Baum's work, suggesting that the seemingly whimsical elements often held darker, more pointed social commentary relevant to the era in which they were created.
