Witch. A word commonly used derogatorily. Over time, witches have been portrayed in many different ways. From Hollywood movies to stories and legends, witches' images have been changed frequently. During the Salem Witch Trials, witches were being hung because of their alleged association with the devil. Because of events like this, witches have received a bad reputation. Through legends and stories, this reputation has seemed to be established.
In The Wizard of Oz, the Wicked Witch of the West was an evil and disturbing character. She was highly feared, very mean, and allergic to water. She did everything she could, from setting the scarecrow on fire, to sending her monkeys to try to keep Dorothy from getting home.
Not all witches are evil. In the blockbuster hit "Practical Magic", Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman play the roles of good witches, but are looked down upon because of ignorance in their community.
"Petition for bail from accused witches"
The Wicked Witch of the West from The Wonderful Wi...
English: The Wicked Witch of The West, melting aft...In the end, the townspeople got past the stereotype of witches being bad, and instead of fearing the unknown, they celebrated the understood.
No matter how witches are portrayed, there will always be some controversy as to what their intentions may be. If we keep an open mind and strive to understand them better, maybe someday we can abolish their bad reputation.