What is a wicked witch?

Answer 1

The Wicked Witch of the East is killed by Dorothy's house falling on top of her. So readers of the book, and viewers of the 1939 film version of The Wizard of Oz, don't get to know her. But her former subjects in the Blue Munchkin Country of the East are delighted to be free from what they describe generally, without specifying supportive evidence, as her cruel, wicked rule. So perhaps the best way to start is by looking first at the Wizard, in the original book by author and Oz series originator Lyman Frank Baum [May 15, 1856-May 5, 1919]. For he is both good, and not so good. As Dorothy Gale says, he's a humbug. The Wizard's good side shares the successes of his country with his people. For Dorothy finds Emerald City residents happy, prosperous, and supportive of their Supreme Ruler. But his bad side doesn't share the decisionmaking with his people. He decides what the problems are to be solved, and doesn't what to hear what his people see as personal and communal problems. For he discourages them from having audiences, by making them wait, not letting them see what he looks like, not mingling, staying in his Palace all the time, and subjecting petitioners to intimidating sound and light shows in his Throne Room. He puts a price tag on his services. And if what he demands of Dorothy and her four friends is any indication, that price is distastefully high. For he tells them to kill the Wicked Witch of the West. He's inconsiderate and untrustworthy. Mission accomplished, and with the Witch's broom stick as proof in the 1939 film version, the Wizard says to come back the next day. Undoubtedly, with as many audiences as possible, that's the beginning of a whole series of next days until petitioners give up and leave. And he excuses what he does. He pretends to give to the Tin Woodman, the Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion what they already have. Once the three friends leave, he justifies his fraud by saying how can he be other than a humbug when people ask of him what can't be done? Readers of the book, and viewers of the 1939 film, don't get much of a chance to know the Wicked Witch of the West. But clearly she speaksthreateningly and rudely, and allows no comment, contradiction or defense. In contrast, Glinda the Good Witch speaks kindly, listens to what others have to say, and gives explanations and reasons. In the book, the Witch enslaves bees, crows, subject Winkies, and wolves to do her distasteful bidding. As holder of the Golden Cap, she has the Winged Monkeys attack and separate the five friends. The monkeys carry out her orders more or less, but are happy to leave once her three wish limit is reached. For the Witch doesn't share and is inhospitable. She considers sightseers [albeit with the ulterior motives of Dorothy and her four friends] as trespassers, and gives them no chance at self-defense. In the book, she imprisons the Cowardly Lion in a narrow confinement surrounded by a high fence, and without protection from the elements. She sentences Dorothy to hard work, trips her, and grabs one of her Slippers. And so, based on the original book and film, wicked witches appear to be hardhearted, inhospitable, and self-gratifying in actions; and rude and self-centered in speech. They appear to be cliquey, greedy, and lacking in communication and listening skills. In sum, they're not team members. But this is based on how they appear in The Wizard of Oz. A different interpretation is possible by looking at the reasons behind the actions and motivations of the Wicked Witch of the West, as Elphaba Thropp, particularly in the play version of Wicked.