Good morning, Modern Philosophers! I am awake too early this morning because I had to do something sweet for the person most important to me in this world, and now I can’t get back to sleep.
So, I thought I’d grab the laptop and see if I could jump start my brain by doing a little writing. If you need a similar brain boost, keep reading.
Maybe it was all of last night’s rain, or maybe it’s the sound of The Flying Monkeys in the sky above The House on the Hill, but for whatever reason, my thoughts this morning have drifted to The Wicked Witch of the West.
More specifically, I’ve been obsessing over how the most powerful Witch in Oz was defeated by a bucket of water. Why would water kill a Witch? Did that mean that every time it rained in Oz, the Wicked Witch of the West had to hide inside her castle?
How come the Good Witches or the other residents of Oz didn’t see to it that it rained perpetually to keep themselves safe from her? Why didn’t they all carry water pistols, hoses, or buckets of water to keep her away?
If she was such a powerful Witch, why didn’t she use Magic to protect her from water? Couldn’t she have come up with an anti-water spell, or used Magic to turn water to ice before it hit her?
Does this mean that she never bathed, took a shower, or went swimming?
I will admit that I did some research on all these questions this morning. According to Wikipedia, Baum’s books didn’t really explain the issue, either.
I want answers, Modern Philosophers! Who’s got theories on these pressing matters? I tried asking The Flying Monkeys, but they just kept circling overhead and refused to come down to talk to me. Punks!
At least my brain is running at full speed after all these Deep Thoughts on The Wicked Witch of the West. How is yours doing?
The Return of the Modern Philosopher 
Oh my, Austin…I saw your post and thought you were up way to early after the Friday Night Think Tank! Too bad this didn’t occur to you while you were vacationing on Coven Island. I’d recommend asking your witch friends. I have to admit, it never occurred to me! I assumed water was to her what kryptonite is to Super Man.
But I’ve asked my Witch friends and they don’t understand it, either. They all live in Maine where they are out in rain and snow all the time, and no melting occurs. They think it might’ve been a genetic condition…
Your Witch friends would know far better than I. Perhaps it was not ordinary water. Maybe it had some special qualities… Or it may have been her particular shade of green pigment in her skin.
We might have to run tests on the water in Oz. It could be killing all the residents, but perhaps the others die from drinking it…
Too true! There is a disproportionate number of munchkins there as well…maybe it’s the water! Perhaps it stunts the growth of those it doesn’t kill…
I am calling the EPA now…
I asked similar questions when I was in elementary school, though I was not able to see it in color until I was 17, when color televisions were cheap enough for my parents to afford one. At that time, the special effects were considered so off-the-charts amazing that the answer was, “Who cares?”
But I wanted answers.
You know…I think this answer is much too long for a reply section. Thanks Austin! You’ve once again jump started my brain and helped me to create another blog entry!
I’m always happy to read your comments about being inspired to write a blog entry. Glad I could help.
Wikipedia did say that one of Baum’s books mentioned another Witch’s skin being dry and brittle, so maybe that was why water had such an effect. Not good enough of an answer for me, though!
Pingback: Why was the Witch of the West wicked? | Two on a Rant
It’s a dream.
Hmmmm…something to consider. 🙂
Wow!! Those are some deep questions. I have been known as a “wicked witch”. I’ve been rained on and among other things s&$@ on, but I haven’t melted yet. I do unleash the flying monkeys from time to time. But I’m from the south, so I’m a wicked witch with a little southern charm and I bet because of that mix of good and bad……..that makes southern witches safe from all that melting crap. I sure feel for the witches of the west, not being able to shower or bathe and all. Oh, my!! 🙂
Thanks for the comments even if they don’t answer my questions. I’m on a quest. I will find answers! 🙂
Let us know what you find out. Should be interesting. I also think it could have something do with that hideous color of hers. I would have had that checked out if I had been her 🙂
My research informs me that in the book, she is not green and that she had only one eye with telescopic powers. Plus, the Flying Monkeys weren’t her minions…she could only use them 3 times and had to use magic to do so. Interesting…
And the plot thickens. Good luck in your investigation and keep us posted. Damn glad I’m not from the west, don’t think I’d make a good one-eyed witch; you know, vanity and all. LOL
It’s making me want to read the book for sure…
interesting question – where you are acting the realist in asking it, i have always accepted it as fantasy, but i have a feeling there is an answer.
The Modern Philosopher must always blur the line between reality and fantasy because who is to say what’s truly real or imagined???
LOL- one way of looking at it is that water is symbolic off all things good; life, purity, etc. 😀
That makes sense. I like the way you think. Stick around and read some more. I just wrote about Flying Monkeys, if you’re a fan of Oz…