Glinda the good witch of the north is a prominent character in L. Frank Baum's famous book, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." She first appears in Munchkinland after the house of Dorothy Gale lands in the magical land of Oz. Glinda is depicted as a beautiful and powerful sorceress, adorned in a white dress and crowned with a shimmering tiara. One of the most well-known witches in the Land of Oz, Glinda possesses a kind and compassionate nature and is widely regarded as the embodiment of goodness. Glinda plays a crucial role in assisting Dorothy on her journey to return home.
Glinda plays a crucial role in assisting Dorothy on her journey to return home. She reveals to Dorothy that she has had the power to go back to Kansas all along, simply by clicking her ruby slippers together three times and repeating the phrase "There's no place like home." Glinda also provides Dorothy with guidance and advice, encouraging her to seek the Wizard of Oz for help in finding her way back home.
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.
Beautiful, fair skin, wears a pink gown with a matching crown, carries a long magic wand with a star on it, and has auburn curly hair, blue eyes
Additionally, Glinda bestows different magical items to Dorothy's companions, helping them overcome their respective challenges. Throughout the story, Glinda exhibits her powerful magic and deep knowledge of Oz. She uses her abilities to protect the inhabitants of Oz, such as helping them resist the powers of the Wicked Witch of the West. Glinda ultimately reveals that she had orchestrated Dorothy's entire journey, wanting to use her arrival in Oz as an opportunity to rid the land of the Wicked Witch. With her wisdom and strength, Glinda aids Dorothy and her friends in their quest to defeat the Wicked Witch and bring peace to Oz. Glinda's character represents purity, kindness, and the ability to make wise decisions. She serves as a role model for both Dorothy and readers, embodying the ideals of goodness and selflessness. Glinda's presence in the story reassures readers with the notion that good will prevail over evil and that there is always hope even in the most challenging situations. In summary, Glinda the good witch of the north is a significant character in "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." She is a powerful sorceress, known for her kindness and wisdom. Glinda assists Dorothy on her journey back to Kansas and works to rid the land of the Wicked Witch of the West. With her magical prowess and unwavering goodness, Glinda represents hope and serves as a moral compass throughout the story..
Reviews for "Exploring the Relationship Between Glinda the Good Witch of the North and Dorothy"
1. John - 2 stars - "Glinda the good witch of the north was extremely disappointing. The storyline was weak and lacked depth. The characters were one-dimensional and didn't have any compelling development. Additionally, the pacing of the book was off, with certain scenes feeling rushed and others dragging on for too long. Overall, I found it to be an underwhelming read."
2. Sarah - 1 star - "I really did not enjoy Glinda the good witch of the north. The writing style was dull and uninspiring, making it hard for me to stay engaged with the story. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, with characters spewing out cheesy and cliche lines. I found myself struggling to connect with any of the characters, as they lacked relatability and depth. It's rare for me to say this, but I couldn't wait for the book to end."
3. Emily - 2 stars - "Glinda the good witch of the north fell short of my expectations. The plot felt predictable and lacked originality. I was hoping for a fresh take on the story of Glinda, but instead, it felt like a rehashed version of previous adaptations. The pacing was inconsistent, with certain parts dragging on and others feeling rushed. Overall, it was a forgettable read that didn't leave a lasting impression."
4. Michael - 1 star - "I regret picking up Glinda the good witch of the north. The writing was tedious and lacked any spark of creativity. The characters were flat and uninteresting, and their actions felt forced and unrealistic. The world-building was underdeveloped, leaving me with a lot of unanswered questions. It's safe to say that this book was a disappointment and I won't be recommending it to anyone."
5. Laura - 2 stars - "Glinda the good witch of the north was a letdown for me. The story felt disjointed and didn't flow smoothly. The writing style was overly descriptive in some parts, making it difficult to stay engaged. I also found the characterization to be weak, with the protagonists lacking depth and the villains lacking any real sense of menace. Overall, the book failed to captivate me and left me feeling unsatisfied."