Vanquishing a narcissists enablers may lie in their ‘Wizard of Oz’ origin story. Learn how Dorothy Gale saw the flying monkey destroyed.
The Wicked Witch of the West
The Wicked Witch of the West, is an adversarial figure in L.Frank Baum’s children’s book “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” She presents a stark counterpoint to the innocence and unrealized potential of Dorothy Gale.
In Baum’s narrative, the Witch is presented as a powerful and malevolent figure, driven by a desire for dominion. She envies Dorothy for received the coveted ruby slippers from Glinda, the Good Witch of the South. The Wicked Witch of the West feels entitled to them as they belonged to her late sister Nessarose, the Wicked Witch of the East.
The Wicked Witch of the West character primarily symbolizes the embodiment of unchecked power and the threat it poses to the innocent. She is a direct obstacle to Dorothy’s journey, representing the forces that seek to impede one’s path home. She represents the ‘Shadow’ archetype, the repressed aspects of the self that, when left unacknowledged, can lead to destructive behavior. Her pursuit of the ruby slippers reflects a straightforward desire for power and control.
The Wicked Witch of the West possesses a keen understanding of the mechanics of power, a trait often absent in the more naive protagonists. Her demise is a necessary step in Dorothy’s journey, a resolution that restores balance to the land of Oz.