Why is Glinda important to the story?

Answer 1

Glinda the Good Witch of the South provides the resolution of the initial dilemma in The Wizard of Oz. Dorothy and Toto are in Oz, and they want to get back home. One opportunity is hot air ballooning it back to Kansas with the Wizard. But that doesn't work out. At the last minute, Toto jumps out. So Dorothy has to follow, to catch Toto and bring her back into the basket. But before that can happen the balloon takes off. So the Wizard's longtime wish to get back home is granted. Not so with Dorothy and Toto. At the very beginning of the story, the Good Witch of the North tells Dorothy that the Silver Slippers carry a secret. At the very end of the story, Glinda unlocks the secret to the slippers: clap their heels together three times, say your wish, and it'll come true. In the film version of The Wizard of Oz, the Wizard explains that the Tin Woodman, the Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion already have within them what they seek. In a way, the same may be said of Dorothy. All along, she has the means with which to get home, because she's wearing the Silver Slippers. As with her three friends, she needs to be told it.