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Wicked Witch of the East | |
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Oz character | |
![]() The Wicked Witch of the East as pictured in The Tin Woodman of Oz—illustration by John R. Neill (1918) | |
First appearance | The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) |
Created by | L. Frank Baum |
Portrayed by | |
In-universe information | |
Alias |
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Species | Human (witch) |
Title | The Wicked Witch of the East |
Occupation | Ruler of the Munchkin Country (at time of death) |
Nationality | Ozian of Munchkin descent |
The Wicked Witch of the East is a fictional character created by American author L. Frank Baum. She is a crucial character but appears only briefly in Baum's classic children's series of Oz novels, most notably The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900).[1]
The Wicked Witch was a middle-aged, malevolent woman who conquered and tyrannized the Munchkin Country in Oz's eastern quadrant, forcing the native Munchkins to slave for her night and day. Her charmed Silver Shoes (changed to ruby slippers in the 1939 film musical) held many mysterious powers and were her precious possession. The Witch is killed when Dorothy Gale's farmhouse lands on her at the start of the first book. Her body turns to dust, leaving behind the magical shoes to be passed to Dorothy.