The Wicked Witch of the West is a character from the novel "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" written by L. Frank Baum. She is portrayed as the main antagonist of the story and is known for her cruelty and wickedness. The Wicked Witch of the West is described as an old, ugly witch with green skin. She is the sister of the Wicked Witch of the East, who is killed when Dorothy's house accidentally lands on her. The Wicked Witch of the West seeks revenge on Dorothy for her sister's death and becomes obsessed with obtaining the silver slippers that Dorothy wears.
While watching The Wizard of Oz, Frank O'Brien claimed that the Wicked Witch ("green bitch") was out to get him before his death.
She finds Dean and Charlie Bradbury and gets the key from them and kills Charlie who sacrifices herself for Dean who retaliates by shooting the Wicked Witch with a poppy bullet, forcing her to retreat to the vents to recover. Haggerty works for the rest of his career on finding a way to defeat the Witch and comes up with the idea that poppy seed extract can stun the Witch from the Oz books.
The Wicked Witch of the West seeks revenge on Dorothy for her sister's death and becomes obsessed with obtaining the silver slippers that Dorothy wears. Throughout the story, the Wicked Witch of the West tries to stop Dorothy and her friends from reaching the Emerald City and meeting the Wizard of Oz. She sends her minions, the flying monkeys, to capture Dorothy and her friends multiple times.
The Wicked Witch of the West Character Analysis
The Wicked Witch of the West is the closest character the novel has to an antagonist, though she only appears in person in one chapter. Despite her limited appearances, the Wicked Witch makes a strong impression on Dorothy and company with her utter cruelty and malice. More than any other character in Oz, the Wicked Witch of the West represents pure evil of the sort usually only found in fairy tales. She serves as an intimidating obstacle for Dorothy and her friends, as the Wizard of Oz refuses to grant their requests until the Witch is dead. Just like when Dorothy killed the Wicked Witch of the East by happening to land on her upon arriving in Oz, Dorothy kills the Wicked Witch of the West by mistake by pouring water over her, which dissolves the Witch. This highlights Dorothy’s childlike innocence, especially when contrasted with the Witch’s pure, brutal evil.
She also tries to use her magical powers to hinder their progress, such as creating a field of poppies that puts them to sleep. Despite her efforts, the Wicked Witch of the West is ultimately defeated by Dorothy. With the help of her friends, Dorothy melts the witch by throwing a bucket of water on her. Water is the witch's weakness, and it causes her to melt away completely. The character of the Wicked Witch of the West has become iconic in popular culture, often portrayed as a haggard, green-skinned witch wearing a black pointy hat and riding a broomstick. The famous line "I'm melting! I'm melting!" is often associated with her demise. In recent years, the character has been further popularized by adaptations such as the Broadway musical "Wicked," which explores the backstory and motivations of the witch. This adaptation presents a more sympathetic portrayal of the character, showcasing her complicated relationship with the protagonist, Elphaba, who eventually becomes the Wicked Witch of the West. Overall, the Wicked Witch of the West remains a memorable and influential character in literature and pop culture, representing the embodiment of evil and serving as the primary antagonist in the magical world of Oz..
Reviews for "The Wicked Witch of the West: Breaking Down the Stereotype of Female Villains"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Wicked Witch of the West Oz". The story felt disjointed and lacked depth. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked development. It felt like the writer was trying to emulate the original "Wizard of Oz" storyline, but failed to create anything new or exciting. Overall, I found the play boring and unoriginal.
2. Sarah - 1 star - "Wicked Witch of the West Oz" was a complete waste of time and money. The acting was subpar, and the dialogue was cringe-worthy. The sets and costumes were lackluster and failed to capture the magic of Oz. Additionally, the plot was confusing and hard to follow. I would not recommend this play to anyone looking for a quality theater experience.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Wicked Witch of the West Oz", but unfortunately, it fell flat. The pacing was inconsistent, with some scenes dragging on while others felt rushed. The musical numbers lacked memorable tunes and failed to leave an impression. The overall production felt amateurish and lacked the polish of a professional play. I was left feeling unsatisfied and disappointed.