Prologue

Throughout the prologue of the book, the Wicked Witch of the West, is hovering above the four main characters of the Wizard of Oz. As she descends on her broom, and is within earshot of them she begins to listen. As soon as the dialogue begins, there is a sense that this novel is intended for an older audience rather than family friendly such as the film. Dialogue including the references to hermaphrodites and referring her to a married man, (Maguire) the novel starts off as a pre-warning to readers that this novel will deal with similar subject matter. The prologue ends with the line; “No matter that the companions had hurried away. The Witch could wait. They would meet again.” (Maguire)

Here is a list of words that were used in this chapter. Knowing the definition of these words may help in the understanding of the section.

Impertinent: intrusive or presumptuous, as persons or their actions; insolently rude; uncivil: a brash, impertinent youth.

Insinuating: tending to instill doubts, distrust, etc.; suggestive: an insinuating letter.

Desiccated: dehydrated or powdered: desiccated coconut.

Works Cited:

"Desiccated." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 01 Oct. 2011. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Desiccated>.

"impertinent." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 01 Oct. 2011. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/impertinent>.

"Insinuating." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 01 Oct. 2011. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Insinuating>.

Maguire, Gregory. Wicked . New York City: HarperCollins Publishers, 1995. 406. Print. <http://books.google.com/books/feeds/volumes?q=wicked>.