The Good Witch of Oz: A Feminist Icon

By admin

The Good Witch of the South, often referred to as Glinda or the Good Witch of Oz, is a central character in L. Frank Baum's iconic children's book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. As the protector of the southern region of Oz, Glinda possesses magical powers and serves as a guide and mentor to Dorothy, the protagonist of the story. Glinda's main role in the narrative is to aid Dorothy on her quest to return home to Kansas. She provides Dorothy with the iconic silver slippers, which enable her to travel back to her beloved aunt and uncle. Throughout the story, Glinda uses her magical abilities to protect Dorothy from harm, such as when she places a protective barrier around the girl and her companions during their journey to the Emerald City.


"Wicked Old Witch" is the ninth track of Deja Vu All Over Again, the seventh solo album of John Fogerty. The collection of songs was released in September 2004. It reached #23 in the USA and #1 in Sweden.

Ding-dong the butcher s dead The butcher s dead, shot in the head Ding-dong the baby butcher s dead Wake up you sleepyhead Rub your eyes, get out of bed Wake up the baby butcher s dead. They were watching it like three times each day, and she was just fascinated by the Wicked Witch Interview with John Fogerty , The Washington Times, November 11th, 2004.

Tune rejoicing in the departure of the wicked witch

Throughout the story, Glinda uses her magical abilities to protect Dorothy from harm, such as when she places a protective barrier around the girl and her companions during their journey to the Emerald City. In addition to her supportive role, Glinda is portrayed as a wise and benevolent ruler. She is well-respected by the inhabitants of Oz and is known for her ability to solve conflicts and maintain harmony.

Wicked lands in Little Rock

Anticipation high for show’s 12-day run at Robinson. by Spencer Watson | November 2, 2010 at 3:13 p.m.

Wicked begins its 12-day run at Robinson Center Music Hall on Friday.

LITTLE ROCK — If you don't believe Kermit the Frog that it's not easy being green, just ask Elphaba Thropp. You probably better know her as the Wicked Witch of the West, the classic villain from author L. Frank Baum’s beloved story of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

But she's got a story of her own, told in book form by Gregory Maguire and translated to the stage in the musical Wicked, which opens today and continues through Nov. 14 at Robinson Center Music Hall, part of Celebrity Attractions' 2010-11 season.

Yes, that's the buzzing sound you've been hearing for the past few weeks. You know, the one that fueled the on-sale event at Robinson Center at which people started lining up for tickets before 6 a.m.

“We don't know what time they actually started getting there,” said Jessica Lashlee of Celebrity Attractions, who explained that 6 a.m. was when the first employees arrived, only to find queues already formed.

Apparently that kind of enthusiasm is not uncommon.

“We see it a lot, and it's pretty wonderful,” said cast member Michelle London of anticipation for the show's arrival. “It's pretty amazing how much fun we have in every city, because people really get excited.”

London, a veteran of the Chicago Wicked company as well as a member of the cast in the first national tour, plays Elphaba’s sister Nessarose. She’s the Wicked Witch of the East and the one who gets landed on by Dorothy's house. Never knew her name did you? Well, that's not all you didn't know about the inhabitants of Oz, and that's part of the delight of the show, said London.

“The first time I saw the show it was in New York years ago, and it was like one big inside joke for the audience,” she said of the nonstop “aha!” moments as people realize the connections between Wicked’s story and Baum’s. “I think that's what's fun.”

But make no mistake, while the musical shares characters with the book and its subsequent 1939 screen adaptation, it does tell a different story. It follows the relationship of Elphaba and Galinda, later Glinda, who is more familiar as the Good Witch of the North. They room together at school, share the same love interest and ultimately go down very different paths as they come to understand that corruption permeates the Wizard's government in Oz. Apparently he's not so wonderful after all, unless you're into oppressive pogroms against talking animals.

But the nuances of motivation for each and every character not only shed a new light on the tale, they really make Wicked a show with universal appeal, said London.

“I think there's something in it that appeals to everyone,” she said. “I know that sounds cheesy and cliche, but it's true.”

For instance, her own character is disabled and in a wheelchair. Part of the show deals with her and her sister's excitement and optimism at going to school and subsequently having to deal with the fact that no one reacts to them the way they'd thought they would. It's part of what shapes her character, who most folks only know as the pair of legs from which the silver shoes (or ruby slippers) are plucked.

“Everyone has their own ideas of what happens in the Wizard of Oz, it's such an iconic film,” said London. “But now you get to see who is really underneath that house.”

You also gain a new understanding of why the Munchkins are kind of stoked she's dead and why she didn't treat them very well when she was alive.

For the cast, it's also a fun show to do because, in addition to the whole “new twist on an old story” thing, the music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz are, themselves, a departure from the norm.

“There's no 'feel sorry for me' song. There's no soprano ballad with a lover. It's just not classical musical theater,” said London, who described the numbers as more modern and pop than the traditional Broadway.

For instance, in the opening number, there's a real rejoice in the fact that the wicked witch is dead (we're talking “No One Mourns the Wicked” here, not “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead”). But there's a real menace from some of the characters — and perhaps some mourning from another.

“Every song is really a roller coaster of emotions,” said London.

The same could probably be said for the nervous excitement of those who brought the show here, as well as those who have already bought tickets. Given its success on Broadway as well as on tour, Wicked has built quite a reputation. That alone might make it the biggest show ever to come to Little Rock. But combined with the familiar elements of the story, anticipation is almost at peak levels.

“People who don't even follow Broadway that closely have heard of this show and want to see it,” said Lashlee. “It's a pretty big deal for us to have a show this big here.”

The same could probably be said for the nervous excitement of those who brought the show here, as well as those who have already bought tickets. Given its success on Broadway as well as on tour, Wicked has built quite a reputation. That alone might make it the biggest show ever to come to Little Rock. But combined with the familiar elements of the story, anticipation is almost at peak levels.
Good witch oz

Glinda also proves to be instrumental in overthrowing the wicked Witch of the West, as she reveals to Dorothy that her silver slippers have the power to defeat the witch. The character of Glinda represents goodness and virtue, contrasting with the wicked witches of Oz. She embodies qualities such as kindness, compassion, and fairness, aligning her with the themes of morality and the triumph of good over evil in the story. Glinda's presence in the narrative allows Baum to explore notions of morality and righteousness, ultimately emphasizing the importance of kindness and empathy. Overall, the Good Witch of Oz plays a significant role in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, serving as a guiding presence and mentor for Dorothy. With her magical powers and wise counsel, Glinda aids in Dorothy's journey back home while also embodying the theme of goodness in the face of wickedness..

Reviews for "Good Witch or Bad Witch: Analyzing Glinda's Actions in the Wizard of Oz"

1. Lisa - 2 stars
I was really excited to watch "Good Witch Oz" as a fan of the original "Good Witch" series. However, I found myself incredibly disappointed with this adaptation. The storyline was lackluster and predictable, with none of the charm and magic of the original. The characters seemed flat and one-dimensional, and it felt like the actors were just going through the motions. Overall, "Good Witch Oz" felt like a poor attempt to cash in on the success of the original series, and I would not recommend it to any fans of the original show.
2. John - 1 star
"Good Witch Oz" was a complete letdown. The plot was all over the place and poorly developed, making it hard to follow or even care about what was happening. The acting was subpar, and it felt like the cast was just going through the motions without any passion or conviction in their roles. The special effects were also underwhelming, with cheap and cheesy CGI that took away from the overall viewing experience. I was expecting much more from this show, especially considering the success of the original "Good Witch" series, but I was thoroughly disappointed.
3. Emily - 2 stars
As a fan of the original "Good Witch" series, I had high hopes for "Good Witch Oz," but unfortunately, it fell far short of my expectations. The storyline felt disjointed and rushed, with little character development and no emotional depth. The new characters introduced in this adaptation were forgettable and added nothing to the overall plot. The dialogue was predictable and at times cringeworthy, with cheesy one-liners that did not fit with the tone of the show. In comparison to the original series, "Good Witch Oz" was a major letdown, and I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a quality fantasy series.

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