The Wicked Witch of the North is a character from L. Frank Baum's iconic children's novel "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." In the story, she is known as the Ruler of the Munchkins and resides in the Munchkin Country in the Land of Oz. Unlike her more famous counterpart, the Wicked Witch of the West, the Wicked Witch of the North is not depicted as evil or malicious. In fact, she is described as a kind and benevolent ruler, acting as a motherly figure to Dorothy, the protagonist of the story. When Dorothy's house lands in the Land of Oz after a tornado, killing the Wicked Witch of the East in the process, it is the Wicked Witch of the North who greets Dorothy and advises her on her journey to meet the Wizard.
When Dorothy's house lands in the Land of Oz after a tornado, killing the Wicked Witch of the East in the process, it is the Wicked Witch of the North who greets Dorothy and advises her on her journey to meet the Wizard. Although her role in the story is relatively brief, the Wicked Witch of the North is instrumental in guiding Dorothy on her path towards reaching Emerald City and finding her way back home to Kansas. She bestows upon Dorothy the magical Silver Shoes, which have the power to transport her wherever she wishes to go.
The 12 Unspoken Rules of the Climbing Gym
Hey there climber! We know it can be intimidating to come into a new space, especially since it feels like there are always unwritten rules and etiquette that everyone but you seems to know. So, to help, we are writing those "rules" down for you!
Our intro classes are also a great way to learn etiquette and get a first look into the gym with the help of our staff!
Empty your pockets and take off your jewelry
Your pockets may seem fine on the ground but when you are at different angles, they may be suddenly less secure. Rings and other jewelry can also get tangled up so it is safer to climb without.
Take your climbing shoes off when you go into the bathroom
Because climbing shoes touch the walls where hands also go, it is good etiquette to not use the restroom when you are wearing them. Switch to your street shoes instead.
Watch the wall!
- If you are the one who can't move out of the way because you are belaying, let the person know!
- When you are near the bouldering area, stay off the mats or away from the wall when you are not actively climbing.
- Give people room! You never know where someone might land or swing to so better to stay away from the walls when possible. Try to not walk between a belayer and the wall.
- Make sure to watch your water bottles, phones, or other items in addition to yourself. Keeping items in cubbies or out of the way of where people might fall or walk can help everyone stay safer.
Watch for your kids!
Kids are great climbers and have so much fun but they also might not be paying as much attention to the above situations. Make sure you are watching out for them and helping them learn the above! After-school programs or private coaching are great ways of letting the gyms explore the gym with staff and instructors.
When is it your turn to get on the wall?
- When you are bouldering and you are trying not to crowd the walls, it can be hard to know whose turn it is. Look around and ask!
- If you are on ropes, ask the belayer if they are switching. Feel free to wait for a rope but make sure to let the belayer know you are "in line"; otherwise, if someone else asks first, it might go to them.
Who has the right of way?
The first person on the wall has right of way which means if your climbs overlap and you don't have right of way, you may have to stop your climb to let the other person work through their section. If they are resting on that section, ask to climb past before you do. Staggering starts can also help keep this to a minimum!
Be mindful of your time on a climb.
If the gym is busy, and you are on a problem or route, be mindful that other people might be waiting to try too. Also - there may be people waiting so make sure to look around.
Try not to distract belayers
A quick "are you switching" is fine but remember, belayers should be paying attention to their climber so they may not be able to have a long conversation.
Talking Beta
One of the things people like about climbing is the challenge of figuring out how to do the next move. Those moves are called beta. A lot of climbers talk beta, share beta, look for beta or have their own secret beta for a climb but the key to that is making sure it is wanted before sharing. Sometimes, you might be excited to share beta with someone who you see struggling but it is not always welcome. Make sure to ask before you share beta!
When in doubt, ask!
Most climbers are more than happy to offer advice to someone who is just starting. We've all been there!
Stand closer to the wall when you belay
- You can block other climbers/belayers from using parts of the wall
- You may block "pedestrians" trying to move around the gym, and may force them to walk under a climber which is something
Headphones?
You might see people wearing headphones while you climb - that is fine! BUT - if you are wearing headphones, make sure you can still hear! Communication is important in climbing, it is important you can hear people around you for safety.
This may seem like a lot but don't worry! At the end of the day - the best climber is the one who is having the most fun. We'll see you soon!
- When you are bouldering and you are trying not to crowd the walls, it can be hard to know whose turn it is. Look around and ask!
- If you are on ropes, ask the belayer if they are switching. Feel free to wait for a rope but make sure to let the belayer know you are "in line"; otherwise, if someone else asks first, it might go to them.
Additionally, she provides Dorothy with information about the various challenges and dangers she may encounter along the way. While the Wicked Witch of the North may not have the same level of infamy as the Wicked Witch of the West, her character serves an important purpose in the narrative of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." As the first magical being Dorothy encounters in her journey, she sets the stage for the fantastical and enchanting world that awaits the young girl from Kansas. Overall, the portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the North contrasts with the traditional image of witches as evil and malevolent. Instead, Baum presents her as a wise and kind ruler, highlighting the diversity of characters and perspectives within the Land of Oz. Her presence in the story helps to create a complex and multi-dimensional world, full of unexpected twists and turns..
Reviews for "Is She Really Wicked? A Deeper Look at the Wicked Witch of the North's Motivations"
1. John - 2/5
I was really disappointed with "Wicked Witch of North". The story felt disjointed and lacked depth. It seemed like the characters were constantly making irrational decisions and there was no clear development or resolution throughout the book. Additionally, the writing style was not engaging at all, making it difficult for me to stay interested in the story. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-crafted and captivating read.
2. Sarah - 2/5
I have to admit, "Wicked Witch of North" was not what I expected. The plot was confusing and hard to follow, with many loose ends left untied. I found it hard to connect with any of the characters as they lacked depth and didn't seem to have any clear motivations for their actions. The pacing was also uneven, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
3. Robert - 1/5
I absolutely hated "Wicked Witch of North". The writing was amateurish and full of cliches, making it hard for me to take the story seriously. The plot was predictable and lacked any originality or creativity. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real development. I couldn't find anything redeeming about this book and would strongly advise others to steer clear of it.