ACTIVE LEARNING

Teacher Introduction to Wicked:

synopsis, characters, themes
Contents:
Page 2 About Wicked

Page 3 Synopsis: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Page 4 Synopsis: Wicked

Page 8 Character profiles

Page 12 Themes and discussion points

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About Wicked
“Gregory Maguire’s shrewdly imagined and beautifully written novel not only revives
the Wicked Witch of the West but re-envisions and redeems her for our times.”
Newsday

Author Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’,
from which the musical Wicked was adapted by the writer Winnie Holzman, takes readers on an
extraordinary new journey through L. Frank Baum’s magical world of Oz, cunningly implying that
we’ve not previously been told the whole story.

Baum’s “classic of children’s literature” (BBC Bitesize), The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, was first
published in 1900 and continues to thrill and fascinate the public more than 120 years after its
publication. A publishing phenomenon, it was to be the first in an eventual series of 14 Oz-based
books and has provided the inspiration for innumerable subsequent books, plays, musicals, games
and films (most famously the 1939 musical film The Wizard of Oz, starring Judy Garland).

Wicked imagines a beguiling backstory and future possibilities to the lives of Baum’s beloved
characters, revealing the decisions and events that shape the destinies of two unlikely university friends
on their journey to becoming Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. Their ‘origin story’ poses
the question: was the Wicked Witch of the West really wicked or the innocent victim of a corrupt regime?

The themes of a political leader - in this case The Wizard - ruling through propaganda and ‘fake news’
remain highly relevant. Because Elphaba is perceptively different, the Citizens of Oz are quick to
believe the news that she’s apparently a “Wicked Witch”, providing a clever distraction from the
corruption at the core of the Wizard’s regime.

Wicked is frequently described as a ‘prequel’ or ‘back story’, although its story takes place variously
before, simultaneously and after the familiar Oz tale. The modern phenomenon of the ‘prequel’
(perhaps most notably the Star Wars franchise), strongly intrigues and engages learners.

Themes
Wicked explores themes of self-esteem, identity, prejudice, victimisation, propaganda and fake news,
peer pressure, ambition, and friendship.

L. Frank Baum’s ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ is now more frequently published as ‘The Wizard of Oz’.
‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’ by Gregory Maguire is recommended for readers aged 16+

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Synopsis: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Whisked away from Kansas by a swirling tornado, Dorothy’s house crushes the Wicked Witch of
the East when it lands in the dazzling world of Oz. Glinda The Good Witch gives Dorothy the dead
witch’s jewelled slippers and sends her off along the yellow brick road which leads to the Wizard’s
Kingdom. Along the way she is joined by a scarecrow with no brain, a tin man without a heart and
a lion that lacks courage, each of them believing that the Wizard can give them what they want
most in life.

When they reach the Emerald City, the Wizard explains they must kill the Wicked Witch of the West
before he will grant their wishes. They overcome many dangerous challenges and dispose of the
witch (although quite by accident), and return only to find that the Wizard has no real powers.
Disappointed, they set off again, this time to find the Good Witch who helps Dorothy return home,
thanks to something she had all along.

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Synopsis: Wicked
Act 1
The musical begins as the citizens of Oz celebrate the death of the Wicked Witch of the West.
Glinda The Good says that she knew the Witch herself, as they were at university together.

We snap back in time to see Elphaba, a powerful witch, and Glinda The Good meeting for the first
time at Shiz University. Elphaba has been sent to Shiz to take care of her younger sister, Nessarose,
was born prematurely. Her father presents Nessarose a going-away present - a pair of jewelled shoes.
Madame Morrible, Shiz’s headmistress, makes Elphaba and Gilnda roommates, despite their protests.

Glinda and Elphaba attend a class taught by Doctor Dillamond, Shiz’s only Animal professor. In the
middle of class, Dillamond discovers a message written on his blackboard: “Animals should be seen
and not heard.” Dismissing the class, he confides in Elphaba that there is a force in Oz causing the
Animals to lose their powers of speech.

Fiyero arrives at Shiz, and it’s clear from the beginning that he and Glinda are attracted to each other.
Glinda has another admirer – Boq – a munchkin. Glinda convinces Boq to take Nessarose to the
upcoming Ozdust Ball, prompting Elphaba to thank Glinda for her kindness. But Glinda decides to
play a trick on Elphaba and give her a pointed black hat to wear, convincing her it is fashionable.

At the Ozdust Ball, Glinda finds out that Elphaba has convinced Madame Morrible to let her join the
sorcery seminar, which is what she has really wanted. Glinda regrets her prank, and when Elphaba
arrives in the black hat and is immediately ridiculed, Glinda joins her, followed by Fiyero and then the
other students. The girls’ friendship begins.

The next day, Doctor Dillamond is arrested under new Animal laws and dragged away. His replacement
arrives with a terrified lion cub as the subject of an experiment, kept in a cage that causes Animals to
lose their power of speech. Outraged, Elphaba loses control of her powers, freezing the entire class
except for Fiyero. They rescue the cub and set him free. Elphaba realises she is developing feelings
for Fiyero despite his relationship with Glinda. Madame Morrible finds Elphaba, announcing that she
has been granted an audience with the Wizard in the Emerald City. Elphaba invites Glinda along with
her to see the Wizard.

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When they meet the Wizard, hidden behind a big mechanical head, he presents Elphaba with an
ancient spell-book, the Grimmerie. Elphaba understands the lost language in the book, and gives
Chistery, the Wizard’s monkey, wings. Elphaba tries to reverse the spell, but cannot, and the Wizard
reveals a whole cage full of winged monkeys, transformed by Elphaba. Elphaba realises with horror
that it was the Wizard who robbed the Animals of their speech and realising his plans for her, runs
away, clutching the ancient Grimmerie.

The Wizard sends Madame Morrible and his guards after Elphaba. Hiding in an attic of the palace,
Elphaba and Glinda hear that Elphaba is falsely proclaimed as a dangerous and wicked Witch.
Elphaba decides to use her powers to stand against the Wizard and do what she believes is right,
while Glinda chooses to stay in Oz. Elphaba uses the Grimmerie to place a levitation spell on a
broom and flies away from the palace guards. This public act of defiance convinces the Ozians that
she is truly wicked, and they flee from her in terror as she rises victoriously into the western sky.

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Act 2
Glinda has become Glinda The Good, and Fiyero is appointed Captain of the Guard in the
Wizard’s Palace.

Elphaba arrives at her old home, where Nessarose is now the Governor of Munchkinland. Elphaba
enchants Nessarose’s shoes, turning them into ruby slippers and enabling her to stand on her own.
Nessarose attempts to cast a spell from the Grimmerie to make Boq, now her servant, fall in love
with her. However, the spell backfires, causing Boq to literally lose his heart. Elphaba saves him,
but can only do so by turning his body into tin.

Elphaba returns to the Palace to try to free the monkeys but is captured by the Guards. However
Fiyero frees her, and leaves Glinda to follow her. Glinda, hurt and alone, suggests to the Wizard
that they can trick Elphaba into coming to them by spreading a rumour that Nessarose is in danger.
Madame Morrible decides to take this a step further, creating a tornado that brings Dorothy’s house
to Oz and crushes Nessarose to death.

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Elphaba senses that her sister is in danger. She flies to Nessarose, but is too late.

After giving Dorothy Nessarose’s shoes and directing her down the yellow brick road, Glinda takes a
private moment to grieve and is confronted by Elphaba. They are interrupted by the Wizard’s guards,
who capture Elphaba. Fiyero intervenes and takes Glinda hostage, allowing Elphaba to escape before
surrendering himself. At the castle, Elphaba tries to cast any spell she can to prevent Fiyero from
being killed.

Glinda has realised Madame Morrible is responsible for Nessarose’s death, but when she confronts her,
Madame Morrible tells her that there is blood on her hands as well, and advises her to smile and
wave. Glinda travels to Elphaba’s castle, where Elphaba has captured Dorothy to force her to return
Nessarose’s jewelled shoes. Elphaba and Glinda forgive each other for all grievances. To help her in her
future, Elphaba gives the Grimmerie to Glinda. Elphaba forces Glinda to hide, and she watches from
the shadows as Dorothy throws a bucket of water on Elphaba, who appears to melt away to nothing.

Fiyero comes to the spot where Elphaba was melted. Making sure that no one is watching, he knocks
on the floor and out from a trap door steps Elphaba – it was all a trick to ensure their safety. Before
leaving, Elphaba regrets that she’ll never see Glinda again. Simultaneously, Glinda reports to the
people of Oz that the Wicked Witch of the West has been killed and promises to properly earn her title
as Glinda The Good. As the people celebrate and Glinda mourns, Elphaba and Fiyero leave Oz behind.

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Character profiles
Elphaba
The first thing you notice about Elphaba is
her skin colour – an unconventional shade of
green. Somewhat stubborn, she is a strong
character of high moral standing and is not
afraid to stand up for what she believes is
right and rise above any taunts she may
receive. Elphaba is a naturally good judge
of character and has a caring nature
revealed through her love of animals
and the support she gives to her sister,
Nessarose. She is a brilliant student with a
rather exceptional gift for magic that
she tries to hide.

Glinda (aka Galinda)

Beautiful, popular and privileged. She’s a
bit of a snob and used to getting everything
she wants. Not always as sugary sweet as
her appearance would suggest - she leads
the class in making rude remarks about
Elphaba and is not afraid to use others to
her advantage. She ignores her conscience
and is swayed by temptation to join the
Wizard’s administration and elevate her
position in Oz. But as Glinda and Elphaba
become friends, Glinda learns from Elphaba
and becomes truly good.

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Fiyero
A handsome prince without a care in the
world, except for himself and having fun.
He’s had it easy in life, usually gets what
he wants and can get away with anything.
On the surface he’s very shallow but Elphaba
reveals a much deeper, thoughtful side,
allowing him to realise what he truly wants
in life.

The Wizard
Elevated with little qualification or
experience to the revered position of
‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’, the Wizard
craves admiration and glory. Calculating
and manipulative, his politics might be
more accurately described as ‘smoke
and mirrors’. He stirs up fear amongst
the citizens of Oz, who look to him for
security and hold him in higher regard
than he deserves.

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Madame Morrible
Eccentric Headmistress at Shiz University,
her sorcery skills include the ability to
manipulate the weather. She makes a
startling career move when she becomes
the Wizard’s Press Secretary. She amasses
great power, which she abuses mightily.
Part of Madame Morrible’s propaganda
includes labelling Elphaba ‘wicked’.

Nessarose
Elphaba’s younger sister was born prematurely.
Very beautiful, Nessa is the favourite daughter
of the Governor of Munchkinland. When she
arrivies at Shiz University, she receives a
parting gift from her father of jewelled shoes
which she wears every day. Unlucky in love,
Nessa becomes the cruel and reclusive
Governor of Munchkinland in later life.

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Dr Dillamond
A goat. A respected historian at Shiz
University and a passionate civil rights
defender, Dr Dillamond falls before the
repressive policies of the Wizard, who
has convinced the people of Oz that
allowing animals to talk and enjoy
social equality is a national danger.

Boq
A munchkin at Shiz Univeresity, he falls
in love with Glinda at first sight. Desperate
for her approval he agrees to take Nessarose
to the Ozdust Ball, where she in turn falls
in love with Boq. He is then forced to work
for Nessarose when she becomes Governor
of Munchkinland.

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Themes and discussion points

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
A useful starting point is to clarify pupil knowledge of the original story (either L. Frank Baum’s book
or the MGM film musical The Wizard of Oz) so that they can draw parallels and fully engage with the
moral context of the Wicked story as it explores the differences between right and wrong and how
there can be different sides to every story.

Prejudice
The musical looks at preconceptions and how someone can be very different from the way they are
perceived. We see this with Elphaba, whom we discover is not the Wicked Witch we think she is in
the Wizard of Oz. We also see this in the treatment of the animals in the story.

• What is prejudice? How would it make you feel if someone was prejudiced against you?

• In groups, think about examples of prejudice or preconceptions. These might be from books
or films, from the media or from the pupils’ own experiences. Discuss these. How and why
did people judge this person wrongly?

Friendship
Wicked is about a strong friendship between Glinda and Elphaba.

• What makes a good friend? Discuss in groups what qualities make a good friend and
share back your list of qualities with the class.

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Bullying
Elphaba is bullied when she first arrives at Shiz University, as people don’t understand why she is
green, and they don’t like her because she is different. In groups discuss the following questions:

• Why do people become bullies?

• How does it feel to be bullied?

• What would you do if you knew someone was being bullied?

Share back your responses with the class.

Ambition
Both our main characters, Elphaba and Glinda, have very strong ambitions.

• In groups, discuss what your ambitions are. What would you like to achieve when you are older?

• Now think about what might stop you from being able to achieve that ambition, and how you
might overcome those obstacles. Glinda and Elphaba both find that they have to make
sacrifices in order to realise their ambitions.

Fake News and propaganda

Elphaba falls victim to fake news being spread about her once she stands up to the Wizard and flees
Oz. Glinda attempts to defend her, but public opinion against Elphaba has already been established.

• How does fake news start and how can it spread so quickly?

• Can you control fake news?

• What is propaganda and what are some examples in recent history?

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Identity
Both Glinda and Elphaba’s personal identities are very strong, and very different. They have come
from different backgrounds and have very different views on life and other people around them.

• What makes us who we are? Is it physical characteristics, hobbies, etc?

• Do other people always see you as you see yourself?

• Have you tried to change any aspects of your identity? If so, what?

Self-esteem
Elphaba is bullied and constantly made aware that she is different because of her skin-colour.
Her self-esteem and confidence are very low but she doesn’t always show this.

• How do people act when they have low-confidence? Are there any ways that this shows?

• How can you help someone who has low self-esteem feel better about themselves?

• Is there one thing they could do each day to make them feel more positive?

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