Follow the yellow brick road to Emerald City if you want to find the answers to today’s crossword.
Click start to begin your journey!
We’re not in Kansas, anymore, players. What Dorothy said to her dog holds true for today’s puzzle, which dives into the colourful world of the children’s book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, created in 1900 by author L. Frank Baum.
If you grew up reading the book or watching the 1939 film adaptation, you may already know all about the inimitable main characters – the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, the Cowardly Lion, Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz himself.
What is less known, however, is that Baum wrote the story as an allegory for American politics at the beginning of the 20th century. Dorothy, an innocent Kansas resident, represents Midwestern US. The Tin Man represents industry, and the Scarecrow signifies agriculture.
Even the famous yellow brick road and Dorothy’s silver slippers (originally red) are a metaphor for the national debate at the time, over whether the US should have a gold-only currency standard or a gold-and-silver one.
These hidden messages make me want to re-watch the film or read the book again with adult eyes!
But we’re not going to dive so deep into the metaphorical in today’s crossword. It’s a fun one that explores the children’s story and urges you to guess the characters. To help you along on your journey, check out the movie clips in the clues. Answer all the clues correctly and unveil the Wizard of Oz!
In the words of Glinda the Good Witch, “You’ve always had the power my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself.”
Tell us if you enjoyed today’s crossword at games@gulfnews.com.
