Glinda the Good Witch is a fictional character in the Land of Oz book series written by L. Frank Baum. She is known as the Good Witch of the South and plays a significant role in the story of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." Glinda is portrayed as the most powerful and influential witch in Oz, who uses her magic to help others and maintain peace in the land. Glinda is described as being beautiful, kind, and wise. She is always seen wearing a shimmering white gown and a crown adorned with diamonds.
Lit2Go: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
For she was sitting on the broad Kansas prairie, and just before her was the new farmhouse Uncle Henry built after the cyclone had carried away the old one. The Silver Shoes took but three steps, and then she stopped so suddenly that she rolled over upon the grass several times before she knew where she was.
She is always seen wearing a shimmering white gown and a crown adorned with diamonds. Her magical abilities include the power of telepathy, the ability to summon and control winds, and the skill to transform objects and people. Glinda resides in a beautiful castle made of pure white marble, located in the Quadling Country of Oz.
Glinda the Good Witch
W hen you think of the good witch Glinda, you most likely picture a woman with red hair, an enormous, frothy pink dress, and a truly impressive amount of sparkles. You probably think of bubbles and magic wands, and—let’s face it—a slightly cloying voice. This image of the character, depicted by Billie Burke in the famous 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, has been cemented in Western consciousness as much as her counterpart, the mean, green Wicked Witch of the West. If you’re a fan of Broadway, you might also think of a calculating popular girl named Galinda with a secretly good heart in the 2003 musical Wicked, by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, based loosely on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel.
But there’s a lot more to Glinda than these adaptations reveal. In L. Frank Baum’s original novels about the land of Oz (1900–20), Glinda is among the most powerful magic users there. One of her strongest gifts is the ability to control the weather (as hinted at in the 1939 film, when she summons snow to counteract the sleep of the poppies sent by the Wicked Witch of the West). She’s a wise ruler in her own right—of the country in the South of Oz, not the North—and she is a protector of Princess Ozma, the rightful ruler over all the countries of Oz. There are multiple allusions to her great age, though she consistently appears young. The red hair is there, but she’s usually described as wearing white, and she owns a workshop full of fascinating objects. (In fact, she’s a bit of a scientist!) One of those objects is the Great Book of Records that allows her to know everything that happens in Oz. While she is consistently called “good,” she is not averse to using her skills to threaten, coerce, and wage war when necessary. She even commands an army of all female soldiers.
Still, a witch that is, overall, shown to be an exceptionally good and kind character in a story was pretty revolutionary for the time that Baum was writing. Most of this characterization was due to the fact that the author modeled Glinda on his mother-in-law, Matilda Joslyn Gage. Gage, a suffragist and abolitionist, was—by all accounts—a formidable and impressive woman. She famously argued that the women called witches and burned at the stake were much more likely to have been doctors and scientists who threatened the status quo of men’s exclusivity in such positions. She believed that these women were branded as evil to prevent them from taking power away from men. The good witch was Baum’s tribute to her as a scientist and a sorceress.
And let’s not overlook the fact that setting Glinda up as a beautiful, kind, incredibly powerful witch probably scored Baum major points with his mother-in-law in reality!
In the books, it’s Glinda who most often saves the day. She is powerful, independent, and kind without being easy to take advantage of. She knows her own mind and makes her own choices. She is ruthless when she must be, though always in service of what she has determined to be the greater good. Her many years of rulership have meant that she has often pulled strings behind the scenes and shaped the world of Oz more than most know.
In 1852, Matilda Joslyn Gage gave a speech at the National Woman’s Rights Convention in which she argued passionately for the rights of women. She concluded with these words:
Work sows the seed:
Even the rock may yield its flower:
No lot so hard, but human power,
Exerted to one end and aim,
May conquer fate, and capture fame!
Press on!
Pause not in fear:
Preach no desponding, servile view—
What ever thou will’st thy will may do.
Work on, and win!
Shall light from nature’s depth arise,
And thou, whose mind can grasp the skies,
Sit down with fate, and idly rail!
No—onward! Let the Truth prevail!
Words for witches to live by, right?
Sara Cleto is a Ph.D. candidate in English and folklore at the Ohio State University. She also teaches courses on fairy tales, legends, and more at the Carterhaugh School of Folklore and the Fantastic (carterhaughschool.com). Her poetry and prose can be found in Liminality, Mythic Delirium, Uncanny Magazine, Goblin Fruit, Faerie Magazine, and many more. You can find her at saracleto.com.
She was both beautiful and young to their eyes. Her hair was a rich red in color and fell in flowing ringlets over her shoulders. Her dress was pure white but her eyes were blue, and they looked kindly upon the little girl.
Throughout the series, Glinda appears in various books and assists the main characters on their quests. She is often seen as a mentor and guide, providing valuable advice and assistance. Glinda is particularly helpful to Dorothy and her friends, the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion. She ultimately helps Dorothy return to Kansas and triumphs over the evil Witch of the West. Glinda's name is derived from the Scottish word "Glinda" or "Glenda," which means "fair and good." This name is fitting for her character, as she consistently represents goodness, fairness, and compassion. She stands as a beacon of hope and a symbol of righteousness in the Land of Oz. Glinda's popularity extends beyond the original book series, as she has become a beloved character in various adaptations of "The Wizard of Oz." She is often depicted as a glamorous and powerful figure, portrayed by actresses such as Billie Burke in the 1939 film adaptation. Glinda's image has been further perpetuated by her appearance in popular culture, including music, theater, and television. Overall, Glinda the Good Witch is a vital character in the Land of Oz series, central to the narrative's theme of goodness triumphing over wickedness. Her grace, wisdom, and magical abilities make her an iconic figure within the world of literature and a beloved character among fans of "The Wizard of Oz.".
Reviews for "Glinda the Good Witch and the Power of Kindness"
1. John - 2 stars - I found "Glinda the good witch gic" to be quite underwhelming. The storyline was predictable and the characters lacked depth. The acting was mediocre at best, with some scenes feeling forced and unnatural. The special effects were also disappointing, with poorly executed CGI that took away from the overall experience. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied with this production and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 1 star - "Glinda the good witch gic" was a complete waste of time for me. The script was poorly written, filled with cliches and lacked originality. The dialogue was cringe-worthy and the jokes fell flat. The performances were lackluster, making it difficult to connect with the characters. I was also disappointed by the outdated set design and lack of attention to detail. Save your money and find something better to watch.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Glinda the good witch gic" but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The pacing was off, with some scenes dragging on while others felt rushed. The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, leaving me confused and disconnected from the story. The costume design was also underwhelming, with cheap-looking outfits that didn't capture the essence of the characters. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed and wouldn't recommend this production to others.
4. Michael - 2 stars - "Glinda the good witch gic" had potential, but it failed to deliver. The performances were lackluster, with little chemistry between the actors. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to become fully engaged in the story. Additionally, I found the music to be forgettable and the choreography to be uninspired. Overall, this production lacked the magic and charm that I was hoping for, leaving me feeling disappointed.
5. Jessica - 2 stars - "Glinda the good witch gic" was a letdown for me. The plot was predictable and lacked originality, offering nothing new to the story. The character development was shallow, with one-dimensional personalities that failed to resonate with me. The set design was also lackluster and uninspiring, further detracting from the overall experience. Overall, I found this production to be forgettable and wouldn't recommend it to others looking for an engaging and captivating show.