Because it was written as a political satire, just like Animal Farm and Gulliver's Travels.
I absolutely hated studying symbolism in school. I only wanted to enjoy the story!
The entity and characters being mocked ARE the story.
Me: I only wanted to enjoy the story!
RL: The entity and characters being mocked ARE the story.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I should have said I want to enjoy the story I want it to be: the fantasy of a twister sending a girl over the rainbow into a strange land. I guess I’m too far removed from the time period it was written (like Gulliver’s Travels) and have so little understanding of our money system (gold vs. fiat?—not sure if that’s the correct term) to truly “get” the satire. Plus, my mind doesn’t work that way. I only enjoy the story for the framework in which the satire is placed.
I have read Animal Farm and 1984 within the past ten years. I knew what they were going in and made myself read them for that reason. I certainly didn’t enjoy reading them, at all.
Thank you for the explanations. Much appreciated!