In the famous story "The Wizard of Oz", there is a character known as the Kind Witch. She is portrayed as a gentle and caring individual, with a warm heart and a helpful nature towards others. The Kind Witch is introduced when the protagonist, Dorothy, crash-lands in the Land of Oz and is desperately seeking a way to return home. The Kind Witch sympathizes with Dorothy's predicament and takes it upon herself to guide and support the young girl in her journey. Throughout the story, the Kind Witch consistently demonstrates her kindness and compassion towards Dorothy and her companions. She provides them with guidance, protective amulets, and valuable advice to help them overcome the numerous obstacles they face on their quest to reach the Wizard of Oz.
During this time, a version of the ‘satanic panic’ of the 1980s existed in many European Christian countries, though at that time it was Jewish people who were considered the culprits. Starting around the 12th century it was a common belief that Jewish people possessed magical powers gained from deals with the devil.
Before the more well-known yellow badge that denoted a person was Jewish in the Middle Ages, a type of cap called a judenhut or Jewish hat was often worn to signify someone was Jewish. The judenhut takes a lot of different forms, some with a skinny peak with a ball on top, but others look almost exactly like the witches hats we know today.
She provides them with guidance, protective amulets, and valuable advice to help them overcome the numerous obstacles they face on their quest to reach the Wizard of Oz. It is worth noting that the Kind Witch's actions aren't solely motivated by her desire to assist Dorothy. Rather, she genuinely cares about the well-being and happiness of those around her.
The Ale-Soaked Medieval Origins of the Witch's Hat
The tall pointed hats we associate with witches in pop culture were first worn by women hawking homemade beer.
October 31, 2018, 9:22pm Illustration via Getty Images/lezhepyoka; composite image by Munchies Staff.All this time, you thought witches were supposed to be brewing up potions in those big, bubbling cauldrons. But what if we told you that instead, those massive black pots were full of a more popular poison: beer?
As far as Halloween decorations and elementary school literature is concerned, witches are frequently portrayed as a craggy old woman with wispy gray hair, a big hooked nose, a pointed black hat, and maybe a broom. Those latter two accessories have historically also been tools of the once-female-dominated ale brewing trade, a connection that historians have been puzzling out for decades. Yep—historically speaking, those ladies in big pointy hats might have actually been brewing ale.
AdvertisementIllustration of a 17th century alewife by David Loggan, via Wikimedia Commons.
Women who brewed ale at home were known in medieval Europe as “alewives,” and they did so as part of their normal routine of domestic duties. While in contemporary America, beer brewing is often dominated by hyper-masculine stereotypes and entrepreneurship, ale brewing—much like butter churning or bread baking—was considered well within the domain of the woman’s sphere of work within the home. It was as much of a necessity of life as any of those other chores, given that fermented beverages were often safer to drink than water. And like butter, cheese, or any other homemade foodstuffs, if a household could produce enough beyond their own immediate needs, the women of the house often took their goods to market to make a little extra money.
In order to catch as many eyes as possible, and to signal from a distance what they were selling, these “brewsters” wore tall hats. As a cottage industry, there was very little oversight or regulation to the home-grown brewing businesses, according to Rod Phillips in the comprehensive text Alcohol: A History. But there were also large-scale commercial breweries, widely owned by men, which were leveraging new technologies and making larger quantities of product. As these operations grew and took on the appearance of a "real" profession, with guilds and trade associations, women were by and large excluded.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, small-scale ale producers, mostly brewsters, began to face accusations of a whole host of immoralities that caused irreparable damage to their reputations. According to Judith Bennett, the preeminent historian of women brewers in this period of England’s history, both the public and the male-dominated brewing industry accused brewsters of diluting or adulterating their ale with cheaper brews, and thus of cheating customers. Brewsters were also accused of selling tainted ales that could make drinkers sick, perhaps intentionally. And generally speaking, at this time, a woman having a working knowledge of herbal concoctions and medicines was highly suspect, and might face rumors that she was using her knowledge for nefarious ends. Thus, the sign of the humble alewife’s hat came to be associated with all the same evil maliciousness of a poison-peddling witch.
In order to catch as many eyes as possible, and to signal from a distance what they were selling, these “brewsters” wore tall hats. As a cottage industry, there was very little oversight or regulation to the home-grown brewing businesses, according to Rod Phillips in the comprehensive text Alcohol: A History. But there were also large-scale commercial breweries, widely owned by men, which were leveraging new technologies and making larger quantities of product. As these operations grew and took on the appearance of a "real" profession, with guilds and trade associations, women were by and large excluded.
This is evident in her interactions with other characters, where she shows empathy and understanding towards their individual struggles. The Kind Witch also stands out as a symbol of hope and goodness in the Land of Oz. In a world filled with deceit, greed, and danger, her presence offers a ray of light and optimism. She represents the possibility of finding kindness and compassion even in the most unexpected places. In conclusion, the Kind Witch from "The Wizard of Oz" is a character that embodies kindness and compassion. Her warm-hearted nature and willingness to help others make her an important and beloved figure in the story. Through her actions, she teaches us the value of empathy and generosity, reminding us that kindness can truly make a difference in someone's life..
Reviews for "The Inspirational Leadership Style of Glinda the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Kind witch from the wizard of oz". The storyline was weak and unoriginal, and the acting was subpar. I expected so much more from such a classic tale. The special effects were also lackluster and didn't enhance the overall experience. Overall, I found this adaptation to be a letdown.
2. Emily - 1 star - "Kind witch from the wizard of oz" was a complete waste of time. The production felt cheap and amateurish, with poorly constructed set designs and lack of attention to detail. The performances were wooden and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with any of the characters. I would not recommend this version to anyone looking to enjoy the magic of the original story.
3. Michael - 2 stars - As a fan of "The Wizard of Oz", I was excited to see "Kind witch from the wizard of oz". However, my expectations were quickly dashed. The dialogue was uninspiring, the pacing was off, and the overall execution felt rushed. It seemed like the creators were more focused on cashing in on the popularity of the original tale rather than delivering a quality production. I was left disappointed and longing for a real magical experience.
4. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Kind witch from the wizard of oz" but was ultimately let down. The performances were lackluster, with the lead actress lacking the charisma and charm necessary for the role. The costumes were also unimpressive, lacking the vibrant colors and whimsical designs that are often associated with "The Wizard of Oz". Overall, this adaptation failed to capture the magic and wonder of the original and left me feeling underwhelmed.