The Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz is often portrayed as a dark and brooding character, but beneath her intimidating exterior lies a deep sadness. Throughout the story, it becomes evident that the Wicked Witch's actions are driven by an underlying sense of loneliness and rejection. From her first encounter with Dorothy and her friends, it is clear that the Witch feels excluded from society. She is constantly reminded of her differences, mainly the color of her skin, which sets her apart from others. This ostracization fuels her bitterness and resentment towards those who seem to fit in effortlessly. Furthermore, it is revealed that the Witch's primary motivation is to retrieve the ruby slippers worn by Dorothy.
The campus of the House of the Seven Gables also comprises five other historic properties, including the Retire Beckett House and the Hooper-Hathaway House, both of which were first constructed shortly before the Witch Trials took place and provide a portal into that moment in history. And, if you haven’t yet had your fill of wandering historic properties, Salem’s Corwin House (now known more commonly as the Witch House), is one more must-visit on a Salem witch tour. Purchased by Jonathan Corwin in 1675, the property captures what life in early colonial America was like – especially when things took a turn for the worse. Corwin later served as a judge in the trials, and ultimately oversaw the executions of many of the accused witches. After touring the house of Judge Corwin, it’s time to pay tribute to the victims of the witch-hunt. The Salem Witch Trials Memorial in Danvers, MA – adjacent to Salem and known as Salem Village in the late 17th century – honours all of those who were imprisoned, hanged, or – in one especially grisly case – crushed to death. Constructed of carved granite, the memorial was first unveiled during the 300th anniversary of the events. An additional memorial in the centre of Salem, located next to the Charter Street Cemetery, also includes an individual marker for each person involved in the trials.
Looking to really bring the Salem Witch Trials to life? The Massachusetts town also hosts a number of interactive experiences that stage the historic events in the present day. Sponsored by History Alive!, Cry Innocent is an immersive theatrical performance that invites visitors to weigh in on the trial of Bridget Bishop, the first person convicted and executed for witchcraft in 1692. Only 45-minutes in length, the show is appropriate for younger participants as well and invites you to take on the role of a Puritan jury member as the prosecutors and defendants each make their case. Will the verdict be innocent or guilty? It’s up to you to decide. To round out the immersive experience, a visit to Salem’s Pioneer Village is also in order. Created to capture what life was like for early American settlers around the year 1630, the site also counts as the very first “living history” museum in the country. From a blacksmith shop to historic timber cottages and other colonial architecture, the Pioneer Village provides a veritable trip back in time. From accused witches to contemporary ghosts, historic sights to immersive theatre, spooky Salem has much to offer. Written by Claire Bullen Image credits: Salem Witch Museum building © Salem Witch Museum House of the Seven Gables © CVB
And, if you haven t yet had your fill of wandering historic properties, Salem s Corwin House now known more commonly as the Witch House , is one more must-visit on a Salem witch tour. There wasn t just one reason or one cause for why this happened, said Matelski, who is currently working on a project about Robin Mingo, an enslaved man and the namesake of Endicott s Mingo Beach.
Furthermore, it is revealed that the Witch's primary motivation is to retrieve the ruby slippers worn by Dorothy. These slippers represent power and control, something the Witch desperately craves. It seems that she believes obtaining these slippers will bring her the recognition and acceptance she has always desired but never received.
The Salem Witch Hunt
This VR experience would offer the player the chance to engage with the historical events of the Salem Witch Trials. The player would be given the choice to play the role of either “accuser” or “accused”, allowing them to experience the events from both sides. Taking place in a small village, if the player takes on the role of “accuser”, they will explore the area, searching for ‘evidence’ to prove the guilt of the accused witch, the evidence will be fittingly nonsensical (pawprints about the house, herbs hung up in the kitchen, spoiled butter in the fridge etc) and a lot of it would be based around hearsay from other NPC villagers. To create a sense of paranoia and hysteria in the player to match that of the time, unsettling audio and shadowy visuals just in the corner of the player’s eyes, or in the distance, could be utilized. On the other hand, if the player chooses to play as the “accused”, there would be an atmosphere of isolation and shame as they await the trial, the NPC villagers will avoid them and whispers can be heard offscreen while they try to find evidence of their innocence, running around discarding any potential proof of witchcraft that could be used against them before the time runs out. To build on the suspense, as time reduces, crowds become rowdier as they gather in the village square, ready for the trial. Once it gets to the trial, depending on which role you take, you will engage in a debate-style game, with optional choices of what to say either as prosecution or defense and the result of the trial is in your hands.
Intro from Torrington Library Salem Witch Trial Virtual Mystery
REASONS FOR VR
Despite being almost 400 years in the past, the ‘Salem Witch Trials’ is a historical event that is still relevant today and our understanding of mass hysteria and misogyny. However, it can be difficult to imagine the reality of the situation and the terror that the women would have felt once they had been accused. Because of the insanity and distance of the event, it’s easy to feel as if though was something fictional, rather than a horrific case of injustice. By using VR and immersing the player in the role of the villagers, it could help to build empathy and understanding as to how something like that ever happened. A study using VR to learn about WW2 soldiers found “that a linear narrative in the VR condition increases feelings of empathy for the soldiers, over the 360° video desktop application” (Calvert, Abadia, Tauseef, 2019). Furthermore, another study found “the immersive VR environment, however, imparted a level of empathic response to the lived experiences of people in ancient Greece; in that sense it allowed learning with the heart” VR also has the benefits of full visual and audio immersion, something that can be used to mimic and induce feelings of paranoia through sensory misperceptions, creating a chilling atmosphere that would both engage the player and educate them on the ways in which fear can be weaponised and create a mob-mentality.
REFERENCES
Calvert, J., Abadia, R. and Tauseef, S.M. (2019). Design and Testing of a Virtual Reality Enabled Experience that Enhances Engagement and Simulates Empathy for Historical Events and Characters. [online] IEEE Xplore. Available at: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/8797864 [Accessed 13 Feb. 2021].
Richards, D. et al. (2021) “Learning with the heart or with the mind: Using virtual reality to bring historical experiences to life and arouse empathy,” Behaviour & Information Technology, 42(1), pp. 1–24. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929x.2021.2009571.
Salem Witch Trails Virtual Mystery (no date) Torrington Library. Available at: https://www.torringtonlibrary.org/salem-witch-trails-virtual-mystery.html (Accessed: March 30, 2023).
The Witch (no date) Raw Pixel. Available at: https://www.rawpixel.com/image/7667084/the-witch-no-lithograph.
Written by Sanam Blakesley
Edited by Ellen Williams
But after the local doctor evaluated the girls, he decreed that they’d been “bewitched under an evil hand,” she said.
As the story progresses, we learn about the Witch's tragic backstory. Born into a life of hardship and rejection, she is known as Elphaba, and her birth is met with considerable disappointment from her family. This constant lack of acceptance and approval from her loved ones ultimately shapes her identity as the Wicked Witch of the West. In a world where she feels misunderstood and unwanted, Elphaba's transformation into the Wicked Witch serves as a coping mechanism. By embracing her role as the villain, she gains a sense of power and control that compensates for her deep-seated sadness. The wickedness becomes a shield to protect herself from the pain of rejection and heartache. Overall, the portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz carries a profound message about the consequence of isolation and the toll it takes on an individual's emotional well-being. Behind her menacing facade lies a character burdened by sadness and longing for acceptance. This complexity adds depth to the story and allows us to empathize with the supposed villain..
Reviews for "The Wicked Witch's Role in Dorothy's Quest for Home in The Wizard of Oz"
- Jane - 1/5 stars - This movie was a huge disappointment for me. I was expecting to see a thrilling adventure with a wicked witch, but instead, I found myself bored and disconnected from the story. The plot was weak and the characters lacked depth. The visual effects were also subpar, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the fantasy world. Overall, I wouldn't recommend "Wizard of oz wicked witch is dsad" to anyone looking for an engaging and exciting film.
- Mark - 2/5 stars - While I appreciate the attempt to bring a fresh take on the classic tale, "Wizard of oz wicked witch is dsad" fell short for me. The acting felt forced and some of the dialogue was cringe-worthy. The storyline had potential, but it failed to deliver the emotional impact I was hoping for. The lack of character development made it hard for me to care about their journey. Overall, this movie had its moments, but it didn't live up to my expectations.
- Sarah - 2.5/5 stars - I had mixed feelings about "Wizard of oz wicked witch is dsad". On one hand, I appreciated the creative twist on the original story, but on the other hand, the execution felt lacking. The pacing was off, making certain scenes drag on for too long. Additionally, the costume design and makeup of the wicked witch were lackluster, failing to capture the menacing presence I was anticipating. While the concept had potential, the overall execution left much to be desired.