The Wizard of Oz is a beloved children's book written by L. Frank Baum in 1900. It has since been adapted into movies and stage productions, capturing the hearts of audiences around the world. One of the iconic characters from the story is the Witch of the North. In the story, the Witch of the North is the first magical character encountered by Dorothy, the young protagonist. She is described as being a good witch, unlike her counterpart in the West who is wicked.
The Good Witch of the North, sometimes named Locasta or Tattypoo, is a fictional character created by L. Frank Baum, author and creator of the Oz legacy. She is introduced in Baum's first Oz book titled The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900), published in 1900. She is from the magical Land of Oz and appears in the second chapter of the novel The Council with the Munchkins. Interestingly, she is not given a name in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and is only known by her title of position. It would not be until Baum wrote the sequel Oz books when her character is finally given an actual name. Unlike the 1939 MGM musical movie The Wizard of Oz, she is the first Good Witch to originally greet a newly arrived Dorothy and her little pet dog Toto to Oz, and should not be mistaken for the character of Glinda the Good, who is actually the Good Witch of the South and doesn't make an appearance until the end of the original story.
As demonstrated by her interaction with Dorothy, despite her limitations, Locasta would still help those in need to the very best of her capacity - advising Dorothy to go to the Wizard for help, and even giving her a magical kiss of protection to defend her from any possible injuries or threats during her journey. At once the cap changed to a slate, on which was written in big, white chalk marks LET DOROTHY GO TO THE CITY OF EMERALDS The little old woman took the slate from her nose, and having read the words on it, asked, Is your name Dorothy, my dear.
She is described as being a good witch, unlike her counterpart in the West who is wicked. The Witch of the North appears to Dorothy after her house lands in Munchkinland, killing the Wicked Witch of the East. The Witch of the North is portrayed as a kind and helpful character.
In "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," why does the Good Witch of the North advise Dorothy to go to the Emerald City?
In the novel by L. Frank Baum, the Good Witch of the North does not know how Dorothy can get back to Kansas, so she uses her magic to conjure a chalkboard with instructions for Dorothy to go to the Emerald City. The following quotation highlights this:
As for the little old woman, she took off her cap and balanced the point on the end of her nose, while she counted “One, two, three” in a solemn voice. At once the cap changed to a slate, on which was written in big, white chalk marks: “LET DOROTHY GO TO THE CITY OF EMERALDS” The little old woman took the slate from her nose, and having read the words on it, asked, “Is your name Dorothy, my dear?” “Yes,” answered the child, looking up and drying her tears. “Then you must go to the City of Emeralds. Perhaps Oz will help you.”
My question is: why does the chalkboard instruct Dorothy to go to the Emerald City when the silver shoes are capable of sending her home? Is this chalkboard all-knowing? If so, why send Dorothy on a wild goose chase? And if it is not all-knowing, where do you suppose it got this advice from?
- the-wizard-of-oz
She welcomes Dorothy to Oz and explains the situation with the Wicked Witch of the East, and advises her to follow the Yellow Brick Road to reach the Emerald City and meet the Wizard of Oz. She also bestows upon Dorothy the silver shoes that once belonged to the Wicked Witch, which have magical powers. Although the Witch of the North's appearance in the story is relatively short, her role is significant. She sets Dorothy on her journey to find the Wizard and guides her along the way. Her presence also helps establish the magical nature of Oz and introduces Dorothy to the concept of witches and wizards. In the 1939 film adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, the Witch of the North is depicted as Glinda, the Good Witch of the South. This change was made for cinematic purposes, consolidating the characters of the Witch of the North and the Good Witch of the South into one character. Glinda plays a larger role in the film, appearing multiple times to offer guidance and assistance to Dorothy. The Witch of the North, whether as a separate character or combined with the Good Witch of the South, remains an emblematic figure in The Wizard of Oz. She represents kindness, wisdom, and the power of good magic. Her brief but impactful appearance helps to set the stage for the adventures that lie ahead for Dorothy and her companions..
Reviews for "The Witch of the North: Parallel to Glinda the Good Witch in "The Wizard of Oz"
1. John - 1 star - I found "Wizard of Oz: Witch of the North" to be extremely disappointing. The storyline was convoluted and lacked coherence, making it difficult to follow along. The acting was also quite subpar, with the majority of the cast delivering wooden performances. The special effects were lackluster and failed to add any excitement or intrigue to the film. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and wishing I had not wasted my time on this film.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Wizard of Oz: Witch of the North," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The pacing of the movie was uneven, with moments of slow progression and sudden rushes. The character development was also lacking, leaving me with little attachment or interest in the protagonists. Additionally, the visual effects, while decent, did not make up for the weak script and uninspiring direction. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and wished for a more engaging and immersive experience.
3. Alex - 2 stars - "Wizard of Oz: Witch of the North" left a lot to be desired. The plot felt disjointed and confusing, making it difficult to become invested in the story. The dialogue was dull and lacked depth, resulting in forgettable performances from the cast. Furthermore, the CGI effects were underwhelming and failed to create a believable fantasy world. While there were hints of potential, this adaptation of the Wizard of Oz did not live up to its predecessors, leaving me underwhelmed and disappointed.
4. Emily - 1 star - I cannot express how disappointed I was with "Wizard of Oz: Witch of the North." The film lacked substance and failed to capture the magical essence of the original Wizard of Oz story. The acting was mediocre at best, with flat performances that made it hard to root for any of the characters. The poor CGI effects were also noticeable and detracted from the overall viewing experience. I had high hopes for this film, but unfortunately, it failed to deliver on any level, leaving me feeling let down and disinterested.