Are Evanora and Theodora Sisters in The Wizard of Oz?

The tale of the Wicked Witches of Oz has captivated readers and viewers for decades. However, the characterizations of these witches vary greatly between L. Frank Baum's original books and the Oz: The Great and Powerful film adaptation. This article explores whether Evanora and Theodora are sisters in the original story and clarifies the differences between the book and the movie's versions.

Original Characters from L. Frank Baum's Books

The original story of The Wizard of Oz features four witches in Oz: two good witches and two wicked witches. In L. Frank Baum's The Marvelous Land of Oz, one of theGood Witches is named Glinda, and she is the Good Witch of the South. The other Good Witch is unnamed and is often referred to as the Good Witch of the North. These two Good Witches do not interact much with each other in the original book's narrative.

The Wicked Witches

Regarding the Wicked Witches, the original story does not name them either. The Wicked Witch of the West is a well-known character, but her counterpart, the Wicked Witch of the East, does not receive as much attention. The conflict between the Wicked Witches of the North and West is more prominent in the original books. There is no specific mention of them being sisters in these narratives. However, in L. Frank Baum's stage play, which is adapted from his original book, the Wicked Witch of the North is named Locasta. This character also appears in later Oz books and plays a significant role.

The Inception of Evanora and Theodora

The characters of Evanora and Theodora stem from the 2013 film Oz: The Great and Powerful. This movie presents these witches as sisters, giving the Wicked Witch of the West more motivation for wanting the Ruby Slippers. However, in the original book, the witches are unnamed and not identified as sisters. The addition of these names and the character development is an invention specific to the film adaptation.

Oz: The Great and Powerful and Its Adaptations

Oz: The Great and Powerful is a prequel to the Oz books and introduces several new elements to the story. This includes the concept of Evanora and Theodora as sisters and the Wicked Witch of the East as the antagonist. The film presents a continuity that extends beyond the original books, but it remains a separate interpretation and is not considered canonical to Baum's original narratives.

Why Evanora and Theodora Are Not Canonical

The creation of Evanora and Theodora, and their characterization as sisters in Oz: The Great and Powerful, is not a part of the original story. These characters and their relationships are inventions that serve the narrative and thematic purposes of the film. While it's a fascinating interpretation, it does not reflect the original book's storyline.

Conclusion

In summary, Evanora and Theodora are not explicitly mentioned or confirmed as sisters in L. Frank Baum's original story. While the concept of these witches being sisters is a fascinating addition in Oz: The Great and Powerful, it is not a part of the canon of the Oz books. The original witches, while unnamed, are distinct characters with their own motivations and storylines that do not include the idea of sisterhood.

Whether you enjoy the original books or the film adaptation, it is essential to understand the differences and appreciate the creativity with which characters are expanded and altered to fit new narratives.