Glinda (also known as Lady Glinda or Glinda the Good) is a fictional character invented by L. Frank Baum, the author and creator of the Oz legacy. She is the beautiful and independent Good Witch of the South, as well as the official Ruler of Quadling Country (Oz's southern quadrant), and made her first appearance in Chapter 23 ("Glinda the Good Grants Dorothy's Wish") of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900), which is Baum's very first Oz novel.
Compassionate, knowledgeable, and ethereally lovely, Glinda is the most educated and respected sorceress in the entire Land of Oz.
History[]
Many centuries ago, when Oz was ruled by a Wicked king, Glinda placed the Forbidden Fountain on the grounds where the Royal Palace of Oz stands long before the Emerald City had been built or King Pastoria had ruled.The Wicked King and all his subjects drank of it, and afterward grew wise together. (The Emerald City of Oz) Glinda became the Ruler of the Quadlings after vanquishing the Wicked Witch of the South.
Over a hundred years ago, Dorothy Gale visited Glinda on her first visit to Oz to ask for her help in returning to Kansas. The Good Witch told her of the charm of the Silver Shoes. Then she took the Golden Cap from Dorothy and commanded the Winged Monkeys to carry the Scarecrow back to the Emerald City, the Cowardly Lion back to the forest where he was made king, the Tin Woodman to the Winkie Country to rule as Emperor. She then gave the Cap to the Winged Monkeys, thereby freeing them forever. (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz)
When the Scarecrow was deposed as King of Oz by General Jinjur's Army of Revolt, Glinda politely declined to help him regain the royal throne in the Emerald City. And instead initiated a long grueling search across all the land of Oz, for the rightful ruler of royal blood. The only heir to the throne of Oz was the long lost Princess Ozma, the daughter of King Pastoria who once ruled in a kingdom before the Wizard arrived. Glinda eventually learned that Oscar the Wizard had kidnapped Ozma when she was just a mere infant and had secretly taken her to a mean old Witch named Mombi who lived in the country of the purple Gillikins who inhabited the north lands. The Wizard made a deal with the old Witch Mombi to take the baby princess and hide her away forever and not ever tell a soul where she was. Mombi agreed to the Wizards favor and she magically transformed the royal infant Ozma, to a kitchen boy named Tip to work hard labor as her slave. Despite this disguise Mombi had made for the child Glinda finally captured Mombi and forced her to restore the long missing Ozma to her rightful form. (The Marvelous Land of Oz)
When Dorothy visited the Land of Oz a second time, Glinda advised against her using the Magic Belt to return home, suggesting that it would be lost forever like the Silver Shoes she had used previously. (Ozma of Oz)
Following the Wizard's return to Oz, Glinda took it upon herself to instruct the former humbug in the magical arts, and turn him into a real wizard. (Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz)
After reading in her Great Book of Records about the Nome King's attempt to conquer Oz, Glinda placed a spell on the entire country to make it invisible to outsiders. (The Emerald City of Oz) Glinda read of Queen Ann Soforth's plan to conquer Oz in her Record Book, and redirected the queen and her army to the Nome Kingdom. (Tik-Tok of Oz)
She sent the Scarecrow to help Trot and Cap'n Bill when they arrived in Jinxland. (The Scarecrow of Oz)
When Princess Dorothy and Ozma went to the tribes of the Skeezers and the Flatheads and were trapped in the underwater island of the Skeezers, Glinda assembled a group of Ozma's counselors to help bring the underwater island back above water. (Glinda of Oz)
Physical Appearance[]
Glinda was described to be a tall, stately, and extremely beautiful woman with long, rich reddish-gold hair that was "finer than the finest silken strands" and fell in "flowing ringlets" over her shoulders, and sky-blue eyes that were always "frank and smiling".
Her cheeks were the "envy of peach-blows", and her mouth is "as enticing as a rosebud". She also dressed in accordance with her high authority - "splendid gowns that trailed behind her as she walked", but she wore no jewels, for "her beauty would shame them". Her attire was often pure white, for white is the traditional color of "good witches" in Oz, though other illustrations have also depicted her in either light pink, or dark pink, or dark red (the color of the Southern Quadlings).
Personality[]
Glinda's spirit is just as beautiful as her outside physical appearance. She remains calm and collected even in the most chaotic of situations. She is soft spoken and speaks with truth, dignity and concern for others. She is a very compassionate, graceful and unselfish ruler who is loved by all who know her. Glinda is the wisest of the wise and a figure who values her privacy. Glinda is patient and displays acts of selflessness and kindness while expecting little in return.
Baum's Glinda reads as a mastermind. She is highly intelligent and dedicated to Oz. Glinda rarely ever needs any help when it comes to defending herself. In the books she is much more assertive, hands-on and dominant compared to her movie counterpart. Glinda is frequently the one who is rescuing Oz, though only interferes when absolutely necessary.
She encourages female empowerment and independence, which was uncommon for the era in which the story was first told. Glinda is portrayed as a role model for girls to aspire to be like and is a force to be reckoned with.
Book Appearances[]
- The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (book) (first appearance)
- The Marvelous Land of Oz
- Ozma of Oz
- The Road to Oz
- The Emerald City of Oz
- Tik-Tok of Oz
- The Scarecrow of Oz
- Rinkitink in Oz
- The Lost Princess of Oz
- The Magic of Oz
- Glinda of Oz
- The Royal Book of Oz
- Kabumpo in Oz
- The Cowardly Lion of Oz
- The Lost King of Oz
- Jack Pumpkinhead of Oz
- The Wonder City of Oz
Billie Burke as Glinda
The Wizard of Oz 1939[]
Glinda the Good Witch of the North is a combined character from The Wizard of Oz (1939) of the first book's Glinda and the Good Witch of the North. She was played by Billie Burke.
At the end of the film, she is inferred to have been simply a dream figment although there was no counterpart shown in Kansas that Dorothy could have taken reference from unlike the rest who show up by her bedside with the exception of Miss Gulch. (Many believe Glinda's true counterpart was Dorothy's deceased mother.)
Later adaptions that draw upon this version confirm that she was real per their continuities which imply that the Ruby Slippers conveniently restored things as they were to appear as if Dorothy had been simply dreaming.
This version serves as the basis for later adaptions that are authorized remakes and sequels which include:
- The Wizard of Oz (TV series): Glinda (DIC)
- Tom and Jerry & the Wizard of Oz, Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz: Glinda (Tom and Jerry)
- Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz: Glinda (Boomerang)
Abilities and Items[]
Magical Abilities[]
"She is the most powerful of all the Witches..."
"She has wonderful magical powers..."
As one of the few in Oz who are privileged and always authorized to legally practice the magical arts, Glinda is easily the most powerful practitioner of magic in Oz, and has therefore frequently saved the entire land from impending serious threats. In fact, it was said that virtually nothing of any significant importance happens in Oz without her knowledge, and she is described officially as being the "Royal Sorceress of Oz". Examples of powers Glinda derived from her magic are:
- Decelerated Aging/Immortality: Even before Lurline enchanted Oz and stopped its inhabitants from aging, Glinda had the power to age at a slower-than-normal rate, for she knew "how to keep young in spite of the many years she had lived". Though it was never specifically stated or confirmed, it was also possible that she was immortal, having an infinite lifespan.
- Ecokinesis: Glinda had the power to manipulate the forces of nature and the elements connected to it. Examples of other abilities she derived from this province are:
- Atmokinesis: Glinda had the power to manipulate the weather, for she could command "the spirits of the air". Miss Cuttenclips also once commented that "Glinda keeps all the rain storms away; so I never worry about my dolls getting wet."
- Hydrokinesis: Glinda had the power to manipulate water - she created the fountain that held the Waters of Oblivion in the Emerald City. She also once participated with other practitioners of magic in manipulating the waters of a lake - "together they stretched their arms over the water's edge and in unison the five chanted a rhythmic incantation...the lake had begun to recede from the shore...gradually the water fell..."
- Chlorokinesis: Glinda had the power to manipulate plant-life - she once caused a tree to grow at a party, which instantly bore an abundant supply of delicious fruit for all the guests to enjoy.
- Spell Negation: Glinda had the power to negate spells, as demonstrated by her restoring the enchanted Prince Bobo back to his true shape after a series of transformations.
- Animation: Glinda had the power to animate inanimate objects - through her "magic recipe No. 1163", she made a boat move in accordance to her every command.
- Zookinesis (possibly): Though it was never specifically stated or confirmed, it was still possible that Glinda had the power to influence animal behavior - she once sent a message "by means of a strong-winged Eagle", and in another instance, she not only disabled a tiger and paralyzed a wolf, but also rendered them both mute. However, it remains unknown if she had influenced the animals directly, or had applied external forces to restrain them.
- Misdirection (possibly): Though it was never specifically stated or confirmed, it was also still possible that Glinda had the power to cause others to become lost - she once performed a magical ceremony that caused an invading army from Oogaboo to get lost in twists and turns ("The result was that...they were not in the Land of Oz at all, but in an adjoining territory that was quite distinct from Ozma's domain and separated from Oz by an invisible barrier."). However, it remains unknown if she had manipulated the army or the physical route itself.
Items[]
- Garment related:
- She "found a way to make threads from emeralds, by softening the stones and then spinning them into long, silken strands." A dress is then produced for Ozma. (The Magic of Oz)
- She can restrain her enemies using a golden thread. This thread is used to debilitate the wicked witch Mombi. "The old hag was absolutely helpless so long as the magical thread encircled her throat.” (The Marvelous Land of Oz)
- Upon capture, Glinda threatens to make Mombi drink of a "powerful draught which will cause you to forget all the magic you have ever learned."
- Potions:
- Glinda's laboratory at her palace contains "all her rare chemical compounds and her instruments of sorcery." She creates a match that can douse large fires.
- Records:
- Glinda keeps everything updated and neatly chronicled in her book of good spells. Most sacred is her Great Book of Records. Glinda keeps this treasured book in a chamber within her palace that is guarded by her trusted female attendants at all times.
- Other inventory:
- A golden casket containing a pearl affixed to a thin gold chain. She explains that "Only when the truth is spoken will my magic pearl remain a pure white in color." While wearing the necklace and upon hearing the wicked witch Mombi's lies, the pearl becomes black in color to signal deceit. (The Marvelous Land of Oz).
- A magic carpet capable of unrolling at great speeds and immune to the effects of the Deadly Desert. (Ozma of Oz).
- "Live paper" that she provides to Miss Cuttenclips. The forms she cuts from the paper become alive. (The Emerald City of Oz)
- On occasions Glinda sometimes carries a bejewled golden scepter or magic wand that helps her cast only good spells that help protect Oz.
Though she is an enchantress of all things magical and mysterious, there are limits to Glinda's power and knowledge. She explains "I have lived here many years...and I have not seen all the wonders of Oz yet." Although she is capable, she is not omniscient. She was ignorant of the Skeezers and Flatheads in the north, telling Ozma "those who never leave their own countries and never are visited by those from our favored part of Oz, naturally are unknown to me." She later is unable to discover much about the Skeezers, explaining their magic "prevents anyone outside of their domain knowing anything about them."