Symbolism

The Grimmerie

The Grimmerie is portrayed as a book of power, destruction, and mystery. Since the Wizard brought the book from his native land, its existence in the Other World questions the magic existing in our world. Does Oz make the Grimmerie magical, proving that witchcraft existed in the Other World? Is it dangerous, or are the people using it the ones who are dangerous? The Grimmerie symbolically portrays the Wizard and represents the theme of power and corruption. Irony is used in the novel Wicked when Elphaba uses the Grimmerie to perform experiments on genetic material. Her experiment uses the book of spells to play god which is similar to the Wizards desires. She uses the Grimmerie to construct wings on the monkey’s she has rescued which distorts god’s creation. Her experimentation proves to us that the Grimmerie can cause danger and potential corruption to its user. Originally, Elphaba only wanted to prove the substantial difference between an Animal and an animal by testing their speech therapy, but eventually begins to perform experiments that reveal no good motive.

The Mirror

When Elphaba was a child, Turtle Heart makes a surprising appearance and makes her a mirror. This mirror (also called the looking-glass) represents the theme of sight and witnessing to help see things as they are. Elphaba is enchanted by the mirror at an early age and is the only one in her home (besides Turtle Heart) to see things in it. Another interesting point aspect is the level of understanding she has when looking into the mirror. While Turtle Heart explains his experiences in Quadling Country under the Wizards rule, Elphaba is prompted to say one of her favourite words while looking into the mirror; “horrors”.“She held it in two hands, and stared at it with one eye closed. She peered, she squinted; her open eye was distant and hollow. Reflection from the starlight off the water, thought Frex, hoped Frex, but he knew the bright vacant eye was not lit by starlight” (Maguire 25). Elphaba later misplaces her mirror as an adult and loses the ability to fully see (physically and metaphorically) as a child. She starts to become practical with age and denies the existence of souls, other worlds, god and sometimes magic. She becomes blind of her surroundings because she loses her lack of imagination. When she retrieves the mirror from the dwarf she can only see the present. The mirror also helped Elphaba see herself as a human being and self reflect on her life. "She thought: the Witch with her mirror. Who do we ever see but ourselves, and that's the curse" (5.11.21). The mirror has the ability to provide a better understanding of the world and an individual’s place in it.

The Familiars

The familiars are a bunch of animals that accompany Elphaba during her political crusade. There are a swarm of killer bees; a talking monkey; crows; and a dog named Killjoy. Since Elphaba is a witch, the familiars were extremely eccentric to suit her appearance. The familiars spread the message that appearances can be deceiving (which is a common theme in Wicked). The familiars prove to be loyal, helpful and loving around Elphaba which contrasts with the first impression of the creatures.