Wicked Witch Of The East

Robert Peston

2 min read

·

18-12-2024

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The Wicked Witch of the East. The name conjures immediate images: a cackling hag, a pointed hat, perhaps a green complexion. She's a fleeting, yet iconic, character in L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, instantly recognizable even to those unfamiliar with the entire story. But who was she, really? Beyond the dramatic demise under Dorothy's house, what can we glean about this pivotal, yet enigmatic figure?

A Villain Defined by Absence

The irony of the Wicked Witch of the East is that her wickedness is largely defined by what we don't see. We don't witness her cruelty firsthand. Her malevolence is conveyed through narrative implication, hearsay, and the immediate consequence of her death: the liberation of the Munchkins. Baum subtly builds her villainy through the reactions of others; the Munchkins' jubilant celebration underscores the weight of her oppression.

The Power of Suggestion

Baum masterfully employs the power of suggestion. The description of her possessing a "wicked heart" relies on the reader's pre-conceived notions of witchcraft and evil. The imagery itself contributes to the unsettling effect. The description is brief, leaving room for the reader’s imagination to fill in the blanks. This vagueness allows for a more powerful, albeit somewhat ambiguous, depiction of evil.

A Symbolic Interpretation

The Wicked Witch of the East, while undeniably a villain, can also be viewed through a symbolic lens. Her swift and unceremonious death – crushed beneath Dorothy's house – could represent the effortless overthrow of oppression, highlighting the unexpected power of seemingly ordinary individuals. Her demise signals the beginning of Dorothy's journey and sets the stage for the greater conflict with the Wicked Witch of the West.

A Catalyst for Change

Instead of a fully-fleshed antagonist with complex motivations, the Wicked Witch of the East serves as a critical catalyst. Her death is not merely a plot device; it’s a crucial moment that propels the narrative forward, demonstrating the fragility of tyranny and the potential for unexpected liberation. She is a symbol of oppression, quickly removed to make way for the more elaborate conflict to come.

The Enduring Legacy

Despite her limited screen time (both in the book and its numerous adaptations), the Wicked Witch of the East remains a memorable and powerful character. Her very name, whispered with a sense of dread, encapsulates the fear and oppression she represents. She serves as a stark reminder that even fleeting characters can hold significant weight within a narrative, shaping the course of events and leaving a lasting impact on the reader's imagination. The Witch of the East, though absent, profoundly shapes the world of Oz.