In the classic children's novel "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," written by L. Frank Baum, the protagonist Dorothy encounters various obstacles on her journey to find her way back home. One of the most memorable and significant challenges she faces is her encounter with a malevolent witch. The malevolent witch, known as the Wicked Witch of the West, becomes one of the main antagonists in Dorothy's adventure. She is depicted as a cruel and powerful entity who seeks to harm and destroy Dorothy in order to obtain her magical ruby slippers. Throughout the story, the Wicked Witch of the West appears as a constant threat to Dorothy and her companions, the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion.
Green witch Mother Mae-Eye fattens up the Teen Titans by force feeding them pie.
Perhaps the most prominent legacy of Margaret Hamilton s dye job is the perspective-swapped musical Wicked, where Elphaba s green coloring serves as grounds for fantastical racism. The Wizard of Oz s filmmakers made revisions to the world of the Baum s book to flex their Technicolor on everyone, which came to color both ensuing Oz adaptations and wider fairy tale portrayals as well.
Throughout the story, the Wicked Witch of the West appears as a constant threat to Dorothy and her companions, the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion. She sends her minions, such as flying monkeys and Winkie guards, to capture them and bring them to her castle. The malevolent witch's evil nature is further emphasized by her actions and dialogue.
Book Review: “Dorothy Must Die” by Danielle Paige
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Dorothy Must Die is the first book in a trilogy centered around the malevolent Dorothy, who after finding herself back in Oz again, took control of the magical land by teaming with the secretly wicked Glinda, and bewitching Oz’s true ruler Ozma. Although time passes differently between worlds, it’s been over 100 years in our time, when Amy Gumm, another poor Kansas girl, gets swept up in a tornado that crash lands her in Oz. Amy doesn’t know who brought her to Oz, but the one thing that is clear is that Oz is in serious trouble. Dorothy is sucking the magic out of Oz to feed her own needs and the last people standing against her are the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked. The Order is convinced that Amy is the key to destroying Dorothy once and for all.
It was fun comparing and contrasting Dorothy and Amy because they were similar in a lot of ways. They both come from a poor and unconventional family unit. Sick of the lives they live, Amy, like Dorothy, constantly wishes for something more. Their stories match-up quite a bit and yet, also diverge. Dorothy was raised with love and became evil. Amy, however, basically raised herself and is fighting for what’s right. I won’t call it what’s good because the line between good and wicked is constantly blurred in this book.
Dorothy and Glinda are good but punish “sassers” by beating and chaining them outside. The witch Mombi is wicked, yet she’s working with a resistance to save Oz from losing all its’ magic. I liked that you couldn’t pinpoint who was good or bad. Everyone has their own agenda and they aren’t afraid to knock people down or make the occasional sacrifice to reach their goal. This is a version of Oz that would be absolutely horrifying on TV. It was like the American Horror Story version complete with bodily experiments and mutilation.
I finished this book fairly quickly but not so much because I was enraptured, but rather because I kept waiting. For what I was waiting for, I’m not sure. It just felt like something was missing. Some characters like Amy were meaty and interesting, others like Nox just sort of deflated. I think a good chunk of secondary characters could have been fleshed a bit and then I would have actually cared about them more.
The biggest problem I had with Dorothy Must Die was the spoilerific marketing. The “big plan” on how to defeat Dorothy for good was kept from Amy and the readers until the last page or so, but it didn’t matter, because I already knew thanks to the book’s back cover. The whole recipe was right on the back – what a complete letdown.
I’m interested in finding out what happens next but I wouldn’t consider myself incredibly eager. If you like darker books with new twists on old stories you could enjoy Dorothy Must Die. But be warned: don’t read the back of the book.
This book was okay. Depending on the themes, you may or may not like this book. Give it a try…but only after reading Potter again.
Last month, New Line Cinema announced an adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz directed by Nicole Kassel. Kassel stated that while “the 1939 musical is part of my DNA, I am exhilarated and humbled by the responsibility of re-imagining such a legendary tale.”
There have been many film, stage, and television adaptations of the Wizard of Oz both before and after the 1939 film starring Judy Garland. L. Frank himself Baum brought several black-and-white adaptations of his Oz books to the screen and even founded a short lived studio called the Oz Production Company. But Judy’s Garland’s film was the first to color the story and for that reason will probably always remain the most iconic for its revolutionary introduction of Technicolor. Audiences in 1939 had seen the occasional color scene in movies before, yes, but it was still beautifully startling to watch Dorothy step out of her sepia farm house into a world of color. Visually, it communicates to an audience, “You’re in a world of wonder now.”
She is also known for her controlling and manipulative tendencies, as she tries to convince Dorothy to give up the ruby slippers voluntarily. This highlights the witch's desire for power and her willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve it. However, Dorothy remains determined and resourceful in her efforts to defeat the malevolent witch. With the help of her companions and Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, Dorothy eventually manages to outsmart the wicked witch and effectively neutralize her powers. This encounter with the malevolent witch serves as a pivotal moment in Dorothy's journey, as it tests her courage and resilience. It also allows her to discover her own inner strength and the importance of friendship and loyalty. Overall, the malevolent witch in "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" symbolizes the challenges and obstacles that individuals may face on their own journeys. Dorothy's triumph over the witch serves as a reminder that, with determination and the support of loved ones, one can overcome even the most malevolent forces..
Reviews for "Dorothy's Escape: Outsmarting the Malevolent Witch"
1. Amy | Rating: 1/5
I found "Dorothy and the Malevolent Witch" to be incredibly boring and unoriginal. The plot was predictable and lacked any sort of depth or complexity. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any likable qualities, making it difficult to connect with them on any level. The writing style was also disappointing, with simple and unimaginative descriptions that failed to create a compelling world. Overall, I was highly disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
2. John | Rating: 2/5
"Dorothy and the Malevolent Witch" had potential, but it fell short in many aspects for me. The pacing was slow, and the story dragged on unnecessarily, making it difficult to stay engaged. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to believe in the interactions between the characters. The world-building was also lacking, with a lack of explanation or detail about the magical elements in the story. While there were some interesting ideas, they didn't come together cohesively, leaving me unsatisfied with the overall reading experience.
3. Sarah | Rating: 2.5/5
I found "Dorothy and the Malevolent Witch" to be a decent enough read, but it didn't live up to the hype for me. The plot had potential, but it felt underdeveloped and rushed in places. The characters were forgettable and lacked depth, making it difficult to truly care about their journey. The writing was also mediocre, with cliched phrases and excessive exposition. Overall, while there were some enjoyable moments, the book didn't leave a lasting impression and I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it.