Who is Glinda in the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz?

Glinda is the Good Witch of the South. She rules the Quadlings from a ruby throne in her castle and is not the same character as the Good Witch of the North.

Why didn’t Glinda tell Dorothy about the silver shoes sooner?

Dorothy had not met her until the end of the story. When she finally did, Glinda explained that the shoes could carry her home right away.

What does Glinda ask Dorothy for in return?

She asks for the Golden Cap, which controls the Winged Monkeys. Dorothy happily gives it to her because she no longer needs it.

From The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Glinda the Good Witch

Sorceress of the South • Wise and kind

The lovely, wise sorceress of the South who shows Dorothy the secret to going home.

Who is Glinda the Good Witch?

Glinda is the Good Witch of the South, a wise and gentle sorceress with red curls who lives in a pink marble palace full of roses. When Dorothy and her friends travel far to find her, Glinda listens kindly and makes sure each friend gets a happy place to belong. She also shares a wonderful secret about Dorothy’s silver shoes.

Glinda the Good Witch is a character in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the 1900 novel by L. Frank Baum, retold for ages 6–9 by Sean Lee.

What is Glinda the Good Witch like?

wise
gentle
generous

Glinda the Good Witch’s story

In the book Glinda is not the first witch Dorothy meets. The Good Witch of the North greets her in Munchkin Country, and Glinda lives far away in the Land of the South, home of the red-clad Quadlings. A soldier tells Dorothy that Glinda is beautiful, kind to everyone and knows how to stay young.

After the Wizard sails away without Dorothy, the friends travel south to find her. After a long and dangerous journey they reach her castle, where Glinda sits on a throne of rubies. Dorothy tells her story. Glinda asks for the Golden Cap in return for help, because it lets her command the Winged Monkeys three times.

Glinda explains that the silver shoes can take Dorothy anywhere in three steps. She then uses the Monkeys to take Dorothy’s friends to their new homes: the Scarecrow to the Emerald City, the Tin Woodman to the land of the Winkies and the Lion to the forest. Her last command frees the Monkeys forever.

“I am sure I can tell you of a way to get back to Kansas.”

Glinda, after kissing Dorothy. From the original 1900 novel by L. Frank Baum.

A moment to remember

Glinda smiles and tells Dorothy that the way home has been right at her feet the whole time.

Dorothy Gale: helps her return home
Scarecrow: carries him back to the Emerald City
Tin Woodman: sends him to rule the Winkies
Cowardly Lion: sends him home to the forest

Talk about it

Glinda cared about Dorothy’s friends, not just Dorothy. Why does it feel nice when someone thinks about everyone in the group?

Questions about Glinda the Good Witch

Who is Glinda in the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz?: Glinda is the Good Witch of the South. She rules the Quadlings from a ruby throne in her castle and is not the same character as the Good Witch of the North.
Why didn’t Glinda tell Dorothy about the silver shoes sooner?: Dorothy had not met her until the end of the story. When she finally did, Glinda explained that the shoes could carry her home right away.
What does Glinda ask Dorothy for in return?: She asks for the Golden Cap, which controls the Winged Monkeys. Dorothy happily gives it to her because she no longer needs it.