Glinda, the Witch of the North, is a character from L. Frank Baum's famous novel, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." As one of the central figures in the story, Glinda plays a vital role in helping Dorothy navigate the magical land of Oz and eventually find her way back home. Glinda, also known as the Good Witch of the North, is portrayed as a wise and powerful sorceress. She is described as being beautiful and majestic, with a kind and gentle demeanor. Glinda is often depicted wearing a flowing white gown and a crown adorned with sparkling jewels, emphasizing her regal presence.
Text copyright © 2003 by Jonathan Stroud
When Nathaniel is embarrassed in front of other magicians by Simon Lovelace, the boy sets to work, secretly studying his master s magic texts and planning his comeuppance. But when a devious hot-shot wizard named Simon Lovelace ruthlessly humiliates Nathaniel in front of his elders, Nathaniel decides to kick up his education a few notches and show Lovelace who s boss.
Glinda is often depicted wearing a flowing white gown and a crown adorned with sparkling jewels, emphasizing her regal presence. In the story, Glinda first appears to Dorothy after her house is swept away by a tornado and lands in Munchkin Country. Glinda informs Dorothy about the slippers she is wearing, which hold great power and can help her return home.
The Amulet of Samarkand (The Bartimaeus Trilogy, Book 1)
Harry Potter fans, rejoice. Here's the first of The Bartimaeus Trilogy, a crackling and original English fantasy that takes place in an alternate London. The viewpoint alternates between the overblown, self-possessed, wisecracking and sometimes put-upon narrative of a 5,000-year-old djinni, Bartimaeus, and an omniscient narrator who follows Nathaniel, a twelve-year-old boy-magician-in-training. In the very first chapter, Bartimaeus is less than pleased to be summoned into the middle of a pentacle by a scrawny kid, shaking like a leaf, who pipes, "By the constraints of the circle, the points on the pentacle, and the chain of runes, I am your master! You will obey my will!" Nathaniel commands him to bring back the Amulet of Samarkand, an ancient artifact now reposing in the house of Simon Lovelace, a powerful and vengeful magician politician, and the djinni has no choice but to bow to the boy's foolish command.
Nathaniel, who was sold by his parents to the government when he was five, has been apprenticed since then to Mr. Underwood, a peevish and unpleasant low-level bureaucrat of a magician who works for the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The only bright spot in his life is Mrs. Underwood, a motherly woman who is his sole source of tenderness or kindness. When Nathaniel is embarrassed in front of other magicians by Simon Lovelace, the boy sets to work, secretly studying his master's magic texts and planning his comeuppance. Once Bartimaeus succeeds in stealing the magical amulet for Nathaniel, the whole of London is drawn into a political intrigue of power-hungry magicians, corruption, and even murder that could topple the entire magician-run government. This is a hefty but fast-paced, thrilling, and often very funny novel that will keep readers up at night, and lead them to the other books in the trilogy: The Golem's Eye and Ptolemy's Gate. Also check out The Ring of Solomon, published after the trilogy, which recounts one of Bartimaeus's previous adventures, the time he was forced to work in the court of the Biblical King Solomon.
Reviewed by : JF.
Themes : ENGLAND. FANTASY. MAGIC & MAGICIANS.
I rubbed my beak doubtfully against a knot of wood. As expected, there was a good deal of powerful magic at work here. I’d heard of Lovelace. He was considered a formidable magician and a hard taskmaster. I was lucky I had never been called up in his service, and I did not much want his enmity or that of his servants.
She advises Dorothy to follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald City, where she can seek assistance from the powerful Wizard of Oz. Throughout the story, Glinda appears at key moments to aid Dorothy and her friends. She provides them with guidance and protection, using her magical abilities to overcome obstacles and defeat the wicked witches they encounter along their journey. Glinda also reveals important information that helps Dorothy realize that the power to return home was within her all along. Glinda's character represents goodness, kindness, and leadership. She exemplifies the notion that true power lies not in magic or illusions but in the strength of one's character. As the Witch of the North, Glinda embodies hope and represents the positive and optimistic aspects of the magical world of Oz. In the various adaptations of "The Wizard of Oz," Glinda's character has been portrayed with different nuances, but her essential qualities of benevolence and wisdom remain unchanged. Whether in the classic 1939 film adaptation or the more recent stage productions, Glinda's role as a guiding and nurturing figure is always essential to the storyline. Overall, Glinda, the Witch of the North, is a beloved and iconic character in "The Wizard of Oz." Her presence in the story not only serves as a mentor and protector for Dorothy but also showcases the importance of inner strength and the triumph of goodness over evil..
Reviews for "Glinda's Role in Dorothy's Journey: Protector, Guide, and Mentor"
- Sarah - 2 out of 5 - I was really disappointed with "Glinda Witch of the North". The pacing was all over the place, and the characters were not well developed. I found it difficult to connect with any of them. The plot was also quite confusing, and it felt like the author was trying to jam too many ideas into one story. Overall, it was a very underwhelming read for me.
- John - 1 out of 5 - "Glinda Witch of the North" was a complete letdown. The writing was juvenile, and the dialogue was cringe-worthy. I couldn't get past the clichéd characters and predictable plot. It felt like a cheap knockoff of better fantasy novels. I would not recommend wasting your time on this book.
- Emily - 2 out of 5 - I had high hopes for "Glinda Witch of the North", but it quickly fell flat. The world-building was lacking and left me confused about the setting. The story lacked depth and the plot twists felt forced. The main character, Glinda, was portrayed as shallow and one-dimensional, making it difficult to root for her. Overall, it was a forgettable read that did not live up to its potential.
- David - 2 out of 5 - I found "Glinda Witch of the North" to be a mediocre read. The writing style was uninspiring, and the prose felt dull. The plot was predictable and lacked any real surprises. The characters were forgettable and lacked depth. It was a disappointing book that did not captivate my interest.