Aunt Em feeds the farmhands crullers.
Crullers: A Farmhouse Treat
In the beloved film The Wizard of Oz, Aunt Em is depicted providing sustenance to the farmhands, specifically offering them freshly prepared crullers. These are a type of fried pastry, often characterized by their twisted or curled shape, and commonly served dusted with powdered sugar or glazed. Crullers represent a comforting and practical food choice, well-suited for the demanding environment of a working farm.
Context in The Wizard of Oz
The inclusion of crullers in the movie offers a brief but notable glimpse into the daily life on the Kansas farm. This specific detail appears just before a pivotal scene, as Dorothy prepares to sing her iconic song "Over the Rainbow". During this moment, she takes one of the "just fried" crullers that Aunt Em has prepared for the farmhands. This small interaction underscores Aunt Em's role in the household, providing warmth and nourishment to those around her.
Key Aspects of the Crullers Scene:
- Freshly Prepared: The description of the crullers as "just fried" emphasizes their warmth and freshness, highlighting Aunt Em's care in providing food.
- Provision for Farmhands: They are explicitly offered to the farmhands, indicating their role as a common and sustaining item in the farm's daily provisions.
- Dorothy's Interaction: Dorothy's brief engagement with the cruller—taking a small bite and then giving a piece to Toto—serves to ground the scene in everyday farm life before her extraordinary adventure begins.
These pastries would have been a convenient and energizing snack for farm laborers, offering quick sustenance during their strenuous work.
