L. Frank Baum, who created the Land of Oz, wrote and illustrated The Woggle-Bug Book, a children’s book, in 1905.
The Woggle-Bug Book showcases the wide-ranging ethnic humour that was acceptable and popular at the time and that Baum used in a number of his works. A woggle bug falls in love with a garish ‘Wagnerian plaid’ frock in the novel after spotting it on a mannequin in a store window. The Bug digs ditches for two days to earn money to purchase the outfit.
The Bug unsuccessfully courted the women while pursuing his love across the town (Irish, Swedish, African-American, plus one Chinese man). Ultimately, his pursuit results in an unintentional balloon voyage to Africa. He is threatened by hostile Arabs there, but he persuades them that killing him would be unlucky.
In the end, the Bug returns to the city carrying a necktie made from the garish fabric of the garment. He accepts his fate in a smart way: ‘Since this necktie represents my love, I can now claim it as my own forever. Why shouldn’t I be pleased and joyful?’
Plot-exploiting aspects also appear in other Baum works: In Baum’s most well-known novel, the Wizard of Oz accidentally flew into Oz; in John Dough and the Cherub, angry Arabs appear (1906).
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