Which witch did Dorothy crush: The Wicked Witch of the East and West Explained
For many Americans, the tale of Dorothy Gale and her journey down the Yellow Brick Road is a cherished classic. From the ruby slippers to the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion, the story is filled with iconic characters and memorable moments. One of the most pivotal events in the story is when Dorothy, albeit accidentally, crushes a wicked witch. But which witch did Dorothy crush, and what were the circumstances surrounding this fateful event?
The Wicked Witch of the East
The first witch Dorothy inadvertently "crushes" is the Wicked Witch of the East. This occurs right at the very beginning of Dorothy's adventure in the magical Land of Oz. Dorothy, her dog Toto, and her small farmhouse are swept away from their Kansas farm by a powerful cyclone.
When the cyclone finally subsides, the farmhouse lands with a tremendous crash in the Munchkin Country, the land of the small, diminutive people known as Munchkins. Unfortunately for the Wicked Witch of the East, she happened to be standing directly beneath the falling house.
Here's a breakdown of the events:
- A powerful cyclone picks up Dorothy's farmhouse.
- The farmhouse is transported from Kansas to the Land of Oz.
- The farmhouse lands in the Munchkin Country.
- The Wicked Witch of the East was in the path of the falling house.
- The house crushes the Wicked Witch of the East.
The Munchkins are overjoyed at the demise of the Wicked Witch of the East, who had terrorized them for a long time. They hail Dorothy as a hero. Her feet are now adorned with the Wicked Witch of the East's silver shoes, which later transform into the famous ruby slippers when Dorothy travels to the Emerald City.
The Wicked Witch of the West
While Dorothy accidentally kills the Wicked Witch of the East early in the story, the witch most prominently associated with Dorothy's quest for revenge and the main antagonist of the latter half of the story is the Wicked Witch of the West. This is the witch that Dorothy, along with her friends, directly confronts and ultimately defeats.
The Wicked Witch of the West is furious about the death of her sister, the Wicked Witch of the East. She learns that Dorothy possesses her sister's silver shoes and vows to get them back and punish Dorothy for her death.
This witch is a formidable foe. She commands various creatures, including the Winged Monkeys, and possesses significant magical powers. Throughout their journey, she attempts to thwart Dorothy and her companions at every turn, using her magic and her minions to try and capture Dorothy or prevent her from reaching the Wizard of Oz.
The Final Confrontation
The climax of the story, in terms of confronting the Wicked Witch of the West, occurs when she manages to capture Dorothy and Toto and take them to her castle.
In a fit of anger and desperation, after the Wicked Witch of the West tries to steal her ruby slippers (which are actually the Wicked Witch of the East's silver shoes, enchanted by the Wizard), Dorothy grabs a bucket of water that was conveniently left nearby.
"And, without thinking what she was doing, she caught hold of the bucket in her hand and dashed the water at the Witch. The Wicked Witch gave a piercing shriek, and then began to melt away."
This simple act of throwing water proves to be the undoing of the Wicked Witch of the West. She melts away into nothingness, leaving behind only her clothes and hat.
In Summary
To be precise:
- Dorothy Gale accidentally crushed the Wicked Witch of the East when her farmhouse landed on her.
- Dorothy Gale intentionally defeated the Wicked Witch of the West by throwing a bucket of water on her, causing her to melt.
Both witches were significant obstacles in Dorothy's journey, but the circumstances of their demise were quite different. The story highlights themes of courage, friendship, and the unexpected ways that power can be wielded, even by a young girl from Kansas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Dorothy crush the Wicked Witch of the East?
Dorothy crushed the Wicked Witch of the East by accident. Her farmhouse, caught in a cyclone, landed directly on top of the witch, killing her instantly.
Why did the Wicked Witch of the West want revenge on Dorothy?
The Wicked Witch of the West wanted revenge because Dorothy had accidentally killed her sister, the Wicked Witch of the East. She also coveted the powerful silver shoes (which later became ruby slippers) that Dorothy was now wearing.
Was the Wicked Witch of the West the one Dorothy intentionally defeated?
Yes, the Wicked Witch of the West was the one Dorothy, with the help of her friends, actively sought to defeat. Dorothy ultimately defeated her by melting her with water.
What happened to the Wicked Witch of the East's shoes?
The Wicked Witch of the East's silver shoes were on her feet when Dorothy's house landed on her. Dorothy's feet then became adorned with these shoes, which were later transformed into the iconic ruby slippers.
