The "Well Meaning Witch of Oz" is a character from L. Frank Baum's famous novel "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." This witch, also known as Glinda the Good, is portrayed as a kind and benevolent figure in the story. Glinda is the ruler of the Quadling Country in the southern part of the land of Oz. She is introduced as a powerful sorceress who is highly respected and admired by the locals. Despite her formidable magical abilities, Glinda is also praised for her gentle nature and her desire to help others.
The Crown Prince Yuan Xiang not only has an affair with the Empress, but is also in love with Jiang Chan, the Imperial Doctor’s daughter, whose mother is in fact the Emperor’s ex-wife. Yuan Xiang, however, keeps this unknown.
On the day of Chongyang Festival, Jiang Chan and her mother are hunted by the Emperor s soldiers, and the Empress leads them to a room, where the Empress reveals the true identity of Jiang Chan s mother, namely the Emperor s ex-wife. Thousands of warriors led by Yuan Jie charge the palace, but the Emperor is prepared for Yuan Jie s rebellion, and has hidden a golden-armored army in the palace.
Despite her formidable magical abilities, Glinda is also praised for her gentle nature and her desire to help others. Throughout the story, Glinda serves as a guide and mentor to Dorothy, the main protagonist. She provides Dorothy with crucial information and advice to help her on her journey to reach the Emerald City and find her way back home.
Curse of the Golden Flower
The film is a 2006 Chinese epic directed by Zhang Yimou. The plot is based on a famous play, "Thunderstorm", written by Cao Yu, a celebrated Chinese dramatist, but is set in the imperial court in ancient China.
The Emperor, originally a small military officer, marries a new wife who holds a high position. He plots to have his ex-wife murdered, leaving him with their son, the Crown Prince Yuan Xiang. The Emperor and his new wife, the Empress, give birth to two more princes. His ex-wife escapes death, conceals her name, and marries the Imperial Doctor.
The Emperor discovers that the Empress and Yuan Xiang are having an illicit affair and secretly orders the Imperial Doctor to add tiny amounts of poisons into the Empress’ medicine. The Empress feels dizzy and is aware of the poison, but still eats the medicine in order to not raise the Emperor’s suspicion.
The Empress persuades Prince Yuan Jie to rebel during the Chongyang Festival, the day for appreciating golden chrysanthemum flowers, and kill the Emperor.
The Crown Prince Yuan Xiang not only has an affair with the Empress, but is also in love with Jiang Chan, the Imperial Doctor’s daughter, whose mother is in fact the Emperor’s ex-wife. Yuan Xiang, however, keeps this unknown.
On the day of Chongyang Festival, Jiang Chan and her mother are hunted by the Emperor’s soldiers, and the Empress leads them to a room, where the Empress reveals the true identity of Jiang Chan’s mother, namely the Emperor’s ex-wife. Knowing that she is Yuan Xiang’s half-sister, Jiang Chan gets crazy and runs out, with her mother running after her, and then the two both get killed.
Thousands of warriors led by Yuan Jie charge the palace, but the Emperor is prepared for Yuan Jie’s rebellion, and has hidden a golden-armored army in the palace. The prince manages to fight but eventually has to surrender.
After the battle, the yard is cleaned up swiftly as if nothing happened. The Emperor does not sentence Yuan Jie to death, instead punishing him by forcing him to feed poisoned medicine to the Empress everyday. Yuan Jie apologizes to his mother for his failure to kill the Emperor and commits suicide. His blood spills on the Empress’s medicine, and the Empress screams aloud, slapping the plate out of the servant’s hands with extreme grief.
Comments:
The film is a kind of feast in terms of its gorgeous costumes and spectacular scenes. Many praise the movie, while some think it is a poor reflection of director Zhang Yimou’s past acclaimed works.
After the battle, the yard is cleaned up swiftly as if nothing happened. The Emperor does not sentence Yuan Jie to death, instead punishing him by forcing him to feed poisoned medicine to the Empress everyday. Yuan Jie apologizes to his mother for his failure to kill the Emperor and commits suicide. His blood spills on the Empress’s medicine, and the Empress screams aloud, slapping the plate out of the servant’s hands with extreme grief.
Glinda also plays a pivotal role in resolving conflicts and ensuring justice in the land of Oz. One of Glinda's most significant actions is her revelation of the power of the silver shoes to Dorothy. She explains to Dorothy that with the magic shoes, she can easily return home to Kansas. Glinda's intention is to empower Dorothy and ensure her safety on her quest. Glinda's kind and compassionate nature shine through her interactions with other characters as well. For instance, she shows mercy and forgiveness towards the Wicked Witch of the West, who had previously caused chaos and harm in Oz. Rather than seeking revenge, Glinda helps Dorothy eliminate the wicked witch and liberate the people of the Emerald City from her tyranny. The character of the Well Meaning Witch of Oz represents the importance of empathy, kindness, and the willingness to help others. Glinda's actions reflect her genuine concern for the well-being of those around her. Her selflessness and wisdom make her an inspiring character that teaches valuable lessons about the power of goodness. In conclusion, the "Well Meaning Witch of Oz" or Glinda the Good is a central character in "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." Her kind nature, powerful magic, and dedication to helping others make her an essential figure in the story. Glinda's actions and guidance propel Dorothy towards her goal of returning home, and her commitment to justice and mercy is a lesson for all readers..
Reviews for "The Well Meaning Witch of Oz: A Symbol of Female Empowerment"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Well Meaning Witch of Oz" as a fan of the original story, but I was sorely disappointed. The plot was slow and predictable, lacking any exciting twists or turns. The characters felt flat and one-dimensional, making it difficult to emotionally invest in their journey. Overall, the book failed to capture the captivating magic and charm of the original "Wizard of Oz" and left me feeling underwhelmed.
2. Laura - 1/5 stars - As a huge fan of fantasy novels, "Well Meaning Witch of Oz" fell short of my expectations. The writing style was lackluster and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The world-building was minimal, leaving me with little sense of the fantastical world the author was trying to create. Additionally, the protagonist was unrelatable and didn't undergo any significant character development. I found myself struggling to finish the book and ultimately left unsatisfied.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "Well Meaning Witch of Oz" had all the ingredients to be a captivating read, but it fell flat in execution. The pacing was inconsistent, with some chapters dragging on while others felt rushed and abrupt. The author attempted to introduce new elements to the original Oz story, but they felt disjointed and poorly integrated. The lack of depth in the world-building and character development left me feeling disconnected from the story and unable to fully immerse myself in the narrative.
4. Mark - 2/5 stars - I was eager to experience a fresh take on the beloved world of Oz, but "Well Meaning Witch of Oz" failed to deliver. The writing was mediocre, with cliché descriptions and dialogue that lacked depth. The plot lacked substance and the conflicts within the story were resolved too quickly and conveniently. I found myself skimming through the pages, waiting for something that would capture my attention, but it never came. Overall, it was a disappointing read that didn't live up to its potential.