The Wicked Witch of the West is a fictional character from L. Frank Baum's famous novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. She is known for her wickedness and cruel nature. This character has become an iconic figure in popular culture, often depicted as a green-skinned witch wearing a black hat and robe. In the story, the Wicked Witch of the West is the primary antagonist who seeks to retrieve the magical silver shoes that Dorothy, the main protagonist, accidentally obtained during her journey in the Land of Oz. The Witch wants the shoes for their immense power and will stop at nothing to get them.
"Maguire's adult fale examines some of literature's magor themes: moral ambiguity, the nature of evil, the bittersweet dividends of power, the high costs of love. Elphaba--the Wicked Witch of the West--is as scary as ever, but this time in a different way: She's undeniably human. She's us." --Wally Lamb, author of She's Come Undone and I Know This Much is True
Furious that Dorothy is asking for the forgiveness that she Elphaba has never received for her own perceived sins, Elphaba waves her now burning broom in the air and inadvertently sets her black dress and cape on fire. Regardless, Elphaba decides to claim to have committed the murder and confesses to Avaric, an old schoolmate, so that she will get the credit when the news spreads.
The Witch wants the shoes for their immense power and will stop at nothing to get them. The Wicked Witch of the West is known for her malicious actions, trying to kill Dorothy and her companions multiple times. She uses her magic powers to summon dangerous creatures like winged monkeys to do her bidding and cause chaos.
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
Wicked: The Life Times of the Wicked Witch of the West is the first novel in Gregory Maguire's The Wicked Years and illustrated by Douglas Smith. It is a revisionist look of the Land of Oz and it's characters from L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and the 1939 MGM film, The Wizard of Oz. Unlike the 1939 film and Baum's book, this novel is not directed at children;it contains adult language and content, including violent imagery and sexual situations. It is the first of The Wicked Years series, followed by Son of a Witch (published in 2005), A Lion Among Men (published in 2008), and Out of Oz (published in 2011). In 2003, it became the basis for the Broadway musical, Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz. The novel presents events, characters and situations from Baum's book and i 1939 film in new ways, making numerous alterations. The social strife described in The Wicked Years indicates that the 1900 book and the 1939 film are set in similar and internally consistent but distinct versions of Oz.
Her ultimate goal is to rule over the Land of Oz with her dark powers and bring fear to its inhabitants. This character represents the embodiment of evil and serves as a foil to the pure-hearted and innocent Dorothy. The contrast between the two characters highlights the themes of good versus evil and the importance of bravery and goodness. The Wicked Witch of the West's wickedness is eventually defeated when Dorothy accidentally throws a bucket of water at her, causing her to melt away. This weakness to water is depicted as the Witch's ultimate downfall and provides a satisfying resolution to her villainous actions. The character of the Wicked Witch of the West has had a long-lasting impact on popular culture. She has been portrayed in various adaptations of The Wizard of Oz, including the iconic 1939 film adaptation starring Margaret Hamilton. Additionally, the character has been reimagined and expanded upon in Gregory Maguire's novel Wicked, which tells the Witch's backstory and provides a different perspective on her character. Overall, the Wicked Witch of the West is a memorable and chilling character, leaving a lasting impression on readers and audiences alike. Her wickedness and determination to retrieve the silver shoes adds tension and excitement to the story, making her one of the most iconic villains in literature and film..
Reviews for "In Defense of the Wicked Witch of the West"
1. Sarah - 2/5
I found "Wicked Witch of the West Wicked" to be a disappointing read. The characters lacked depth and the plot was predictable. The writing style was also dull and uninspiring, making it hard for me to get invested in the story. Overall, I was left underwhelmed and would not recommend this book to others.
2. Mark - 1/5
I couldn't get through "Wicked Witch of the West Wicked" without feeling frustrated. The pacing was extremely slow, and the story failed to grab my attention. The protagonist was unrelatable, and I couldn't find any redeeming qualities in the supporting characters either. The author's attempt at creating a unique twist on the witch's backstory fell flat, leaving me unsatisfied and bored.
3. Emily - 2/5
"Wicked Witch of the West Wicked" started off promising, but quickly lost its charm. The world-building was lackluster and lacked depth, making it hard to immerse myself in the story. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, hindering my connection to the characters. Despite its potential, this book failed to deliver an engaging and memorable experience for me.
4. Alex - 1/5
I regret picking up "Wicked Witch of the West Wicked." The writing was riddled with cliches and the dialogue was cringe-worthy. The plot was predictable and lacked originality. I found myself skimming through pages just to finish the book, as the story failed to captivate me. Overall, I was disappointed by this book and would not recommend it to anyone.