Miss Gulch’s wealth
How does Miss Gulch “own half the county”? Did she inherit a big business from her father or a dead husband?
shareWell...if she was "Miss" Gulch, then it's unlikely that she was married. I always imagined that she inherited a lot of land and maybe a business from her family. And she was shrewd and knew how to turn profit. Probably put a lot of tenants out on their ear when they couldn't pay their mortgage. (think Mr. Potter in "It's a Wonderful Life") Women can be just as cold and heartless when it comes to $ and making profit.
shareIt might be interesting to speculate, but ultimately does it really matter? She is rich and powerful and can get public officials to do what she wants and doesn't hesitate to terrorize people not as well off as she was.
share Nope, it doesn't really matter because she was rich and powerful. I was just speculating about her wealth because the OP asked. Interestingly though, there is no Miss Gulch in the novel. Dorothy isn't running away because Miss Gulch wants to have her dog put down.
Miss Gulch is just a figment of the screenwriter's imgination.
That's right.
As I said, it can be fun to speculate, it just doesn't mean anything. That is not to say you shouldn't do it. I'm not one of those people who think everything one does have to mean something or be productive. Some things are just fun to do.