The Witch of the North: A Supporting Character in the Wizard of Oz

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In the novel "The Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum, one of the prominent characters is the Witch of the North. She is an important figure who aids Doroty on her journey to find the Wizard and return to Kansas. The Witch of the North is introduced in the early stages of the story when Dorothy's house lands in the magical land of Oz. As Dorothy steps out of her house, she is greeted by the Witch, who is described as being old and kind. The Witch quickly realizes that Dorothy is a stranger and offers her help to find her way back home.


Once more, Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, comes to the rescue in her shiny pink bubble. Dorothy explains to her that the wizard was going to take her home, but that he is gone, and she will never be able to get back to Kansas. That’s when Glinda points with her wand to the ruby slippers, which have been on Dorothy’s feet the whole time she’s been in Oz.

However, he awards the Scarecrow with a diploma, gives the Lion a medal for courage, and presents the Tin Man with a ticking clock in the shape of a heart. When she opens her eyes, she is surrounded by her beloved Auntie Em, Uncle Henry, and the three farm hands, who look suspiciously like the Scarecrow, the Lion and the Tin Man.

Wizard of oz witch of the north

The Witch quickly realizes that Dorothy is a stranger and offers her help to find her way back home. The Witch of the North is depicted as a powerful and benevolent character. She possesses magical abilities and is respected by the other inhabitants of Oz.

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?

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Follow asked Apr 29, 2016 at 4:35 Zack Zack 329 4 4 silver badges 12 12 bronze badges
Wizard of oz witch of the north

She explains to Dorothy about the various regions of the land and advises her to seek the assistance of the Wizard in Emerald City. Despite not having a major role throughout the novel, the Witch of the North leaves a lasting impact on Dorothy. She gives Dorothy the silver shoes, which eventually become a crucial element in helping Dorothy return home. The Witch also advises Dorothy to follow the Yellow Brick Road, as it will lead her to the Emerald City. The Witch of the North serves as a guide and mentor to Dorothy, offering her wisdom and support. She is portrayed as a kind and compassionate character, willing to help those in need. Though her appearance is brief, her presence sets Dorothy on her path to meet the Wizard and ultimately find her way back home. Overall, the Witch of the North plays a significant role in the early stages of "The Wizard of Oz." She embodies the concept of guidance and assistance, providing Dorothy with the knowledge and tools she needs to navigate the land of Oz..

Reviews for "When the Witch of the North Met Dorothy: Examining their Interaction in the Wizard of Oz"

1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Wizard of Oz: Witch of the North". The storyline felt disjointed and lacked depth. The characters were poorly developed, and their motivations were unclear. The production quality was also subpar, with awkward and amateurish performances. Overall, I did not enjoy this production and would not recommend it.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I found "Wizard of Oz: Witch of the North" to be incredibly dull and unengaging. The pacing was slow, and the dialogue was uninspiring. The set design and costumes were underwhelming, failing to transport me into the magical world of Oz. The acting was mediocre at best, and I struggled to stay interested in the story. This play did not live up to my expectations and left me feeling bored and unimpressed.
3. Ryan - 2 stars - "Wizard of Oz: Witch of the North" failed to capture the charm and magic of the original story. The changes made to the plot felt unnecessary and detracted from the overall narrative. The performances were lackluster, and the chemistry between the actors was lacking. The special effects were also poorly executed, further diminishing the experience. I was underwhelmed by this adaptation and would not recommend it to fans of the original story.
4. Emily - 3 stars - While "Wizard of Oz: Witch of the North" had some redeeming qualities, overall, I found it to be a lackluster production. The pacing was uneven, with some scenes dragging on while others felt rushed. The acting was inconsistent, with some actors delivering strong performances while others fell flat. The set design was creative, but the execution was not fully realized. The play had its moments, but it failed to fully captivate me and left me wanting more.
5. Michael - 2 stars - "Wizard of Oz: Witch of the North" fell short of my expectations. The script felt disjointed, with many plot holes and inconsistencies. The acting was subpar, and the performances lacked depth and emotion. The music and choreography were also forgettable, failing to add any excitement or energy to the production. Overall, I was disappointed by this adaptation and would not recommend it to others.

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