I don’t know about others interpretations but what I got from the movie as a kid was:
Everything I could ever want I could find in my own backyard if I look for it; There is no place like home; Finally be it love, intelligence, or bravery when things are at their worst I would find these qualities within myself.
The books were great too.
To me, the movie is sentimental Depression kitsch. The books are timeless classics.