# The Search for the Wicked Witch explained — The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

> Chapter companion for The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum.

## What happens

Dorothy and her companions are captured by the Winged Monkeys under the Wicked Witch's command. The Scarecrow and Tin Woodman are destroyed, the Lion is imprisoned, but Dorothy is spared due to the Good Witch's kiss. In the Witch's castle, Dorothy is forced into servitude, secretly feeding the Lion. The Witch tricks Dorothy out of one Silver Shoe, but Dorothy inadvertently melts her with a bucket of water, freeing herself and the Lion.

## Themes in this chapter

### Good Versus Evil

Dorothy's protection by the Good Witch's kiss and her inadvertent melting of the Wicked Witch highlight the triumph of good over evil.

### The Value of Ordinary Qualities

Dorothy's simple, unknowing goodness and her ordinary actions (like throwing water) prove more powerful than the Witch's cunning magic.

## Character check-ins

### Dorothy

Captured and enslaved by the Wicked Witch, she secretly feeds the Lion and ultimately melts the Witch with water.

### Wicked Witch of the West

Uses the Golden Cap to summon the Winged Monkeys, enslaves Dorothy, tricks her out of a Silver Shoe, and is melted by water.

### Cowardly Lion

Bound and imprisoned by the Winged Monkeys, he refuses to be harnessed and is secretly fed by Dorothy.

### Winged Monkeys

Summoned for the third and last time, they destroy the Scarecrow and Tin Woodman, imprison the Lion, but spare Dorothy due to the Good Witch's mark.

### Toto

Bitten by the Witch's umbrella, he bites her leg in return and stays faithfully by Dorothy's side.

### Scarecrow

Destroyed by the Winged Monkeys: his straw is pulled out and his clothes thrown into a tree.

## Key lines

> The little girl we dare not harm, nor the dog she carries in her arms. Your power over our band is now ended, and you will never see us again.

The Winged Monkeys refuse to harm Dorothy or Toto, declaring the Witch's authority over them is finished.

_The Monkeys acknowledge the protective power of Good and end their servitude._

> Instantly the wicked woman gave a loud cry of fear, and then, as Dorothy looked at her in wonder, the Witch began to shrink and fall away.

The Witch screamed in terror as she started to melt and collapse upon being splashed with water.

_Dorothy's accidental use of water destroys the Witch, revealing her vulnerability._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se/chapters/xii-the-search-for-the-wicked-witch
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_se/chapters