I have enjoyed reading the book Wicked. In the beginning, I was having trouble understanding some key points due to the fragmented style of writing but the novel became clearer as it further advanced. Elphaba’s character is one of the main reasons why I love reading this novel. Her independence, need for justice and sympathy towards the inferior creatures of Oz has inspired me. I do not like to think about her impending doom in the novel because I have started to sympathize with her character. I think this novel is extremely reflecting on society. After reading the back story of The Wicked Witch of the West, it makes the reader want to know the reasoning behind the actions of other individuals in history who were deemed evil. Was Hitler evil? What was his reasoning? Did the events in his life shape his actions? This novel makes the reader become more understanding and sceptical of other individuals. Also, I enjoy making small comparisons between our world and Oz. I have been unconsciously comparing different attributes of locations in Wicked. The Wizard of Oz has always been my favourite movie but this novel explores complex themes in which the original story never encountered. It seems as if the original story was the child perspective and Wicked by Gregory Maguire is the grown up version. While I was growing up, so did the story of Oz.
Sunday, 6 November 2011
Allusions
The Gulf War |
Martin Luther posting the 95 theses on the catholic church of Wittenberg |
Flag of Ireland |
L. Frank Baum |
Theodore Roosevelt |
Friday, 4 November 2011
Themes
Picture of water |
Nessarose's shoes |
A red ruby |
The Clock of the Time Dragon |
Conflicts
Birth of Elphaba:
Elphaba as a baby |
The birth of Elphaba had drastic future implications for the Thropp household. Before Elphaba’s birth, her mother (Melena) was known to have many affairs with men and one included a strange figure who gave her a potion named “Miracle Elixir” from a green bottle. Elphaba was born with distinct green skin and frighteningly sharp teeth. Due to her physical abnormalities, The Thropp family decided to live in seclusion after the birth of their children in Quadling country. Melena begins having trouble developing a motherly relationship with Elphaba so she calls her childhood nanny for help while Frexspar begins to believe that Elphaba is punishment from god for failing to protect his church assembly he leaves home to spread the word of god. Elphaba’s birth destroys the structure of Melena and Frexspar’s marriage and the two begin losing their relationship as man and wife. Since Frexspar is away from home for long periods of time, Melena begins to initiate an affair with Turtle Heart, the glassblower from Quadling Country. This relationship likely developed due to the slow deterioration of Melena’s marriage. Another flaw that develops during the novel is Melena’s dependence on the Nanny. Melena is incapable to care for Elphaba because she is unable to properly gain the knowledge and experience of being a mother. Before Nanny took Elphaba to Rush Margins to socialise with the other children, Melena believed it was wise to keep Elphaba away from the public as a child to avoid mockery. Placing Elphaba in a social environment strongly aided her development for the future. If she was to be kept in hiding her whole life, Elphaba would not be the strong and independent character we know her to be.
The issue of the discrimination of animals in the Land of Oz seems to be a continuing trend in Wicked. The appearance of this topic is first established when Elphaba attends Shiz University. Her Biology professor is a Goat named Dr. Dillamond who entangles her in the topic of the difference between sentient (has a conscious and human characteristics) and non sentient animals. The animals do not have the same civil rights as the humans in Oz and are being discriminated and forced to return to the rural life. Dr. Dillamond begins to feel that the problem is worsening so he looks on the assistance of Elphaba who is more than willing to help. On the verge of a scientific discovery linking the genetic similarities between humans and animals, Dr, Dillamond is murdered. This tragic incident has a profound impact in Elphaba’s life and she begins her studies in sorcery in his memory. The Headmistress of Cage Hall (Madame Morrible) in Shiz University is revealed to be the main accomplice to Dr. Dillamond’s murder to stop his ground breaking research on animals. After this information is revealed, Glinda, Elphaba and Nessarose spread out to different quadrants around The Land of Oz. The injustice of Dr. Dillamond’s murder left a hole in Elphaba’s heart and while the people around her were losing enthusiasm for helping th cause, Elphaba begins to work alone. The significance of the discrimination of animals can reflect her fture actions in the novel. I believe that the murder of Dr. Dillamond began a deep anger inside of Elphaba’s heart that could not be lit out with a splash of water from a bucket. Elphaba began to see the injustice in the world and therefore begins to rebel against society while dropping her morals along the way to fight for the bigger picture. Elphaba’s path to villainy became clearly illustrated and her perception of life was dramatically changed forever.
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Book Notes: Characters
-main protagonist
-green skin, sharp teeth (physical abnormalities)
-animal rights activist
-grew up in Quadling Country
-befriends Galinda
-develops a hatred toward Madame Morrible and The Wizard of Oz
-jealous of her sister Nessarose (believes Nessa is her father’s favourite)
Galinda
- part of the high society in Gillikin
-behaves in a snobby and mean fashion but also very intelligent
-hates Elphaba at first, but later become close friends
-studies sorcery after the death of Doctor Dillamond
Nessarose Thropp
-Elphaba's younger sister
-claimed to be the favourite of Frexspar
-born with pink skin and no arms
-silver shoes
-Unionist (like Frexspar)
-she could be the daughter of Turtle Heart (not Frexspar)
Madame Morrible
-headmistress of Shiz University Crage Hall (Elphaba and Galinda attend)
-suspect her to be responsible for the death of Doctor Dillamond
Doctor Dillamond
-talking goat
-professor at Crage Hall in Shiz
-performs research (with Elphaba) on the difference between animals and conscious animals who display human characteristics (like Doctor Dillamond)
- suspiciously dies from a slit throat (Madame Morrible may be responsible)
Nanny
-member of the Thropp family (though whether by blood or employment is not clear)
-raised Elphaba and Nessarose
-wanted Elphaba to be raised regularly (with other individuals besides her family)
-speaks her mind
“Since when did you even know your place or keep it either Nanny?”
“When Nanny leaves her place, believe me you’ll know!”
-holds pagan beliefs
Frexspar
- Elphaba and Nessarose father (at least in the emotional and physical sense; whether he shares a genetic link with some of the children is questionable)
-unionest preist
-Nessarose was his favourite child (gave her the ruby slippers)
-goes on long trips searching for the unnamed god
Melena Thropp
-Elphaba and Nessarose mother
-comes from a high class family
-pagan traditions (contradicts frexspar’s beliefs)
-very loose morals (multiple affairs and dreams of her days as a pampered girl)
-affair with Turtle Heart (strongly hinted that Nessarose is Turtle Heart’s biological daughter)
Turtle Heart
- wandering glassblower
-from Quadling Country
-very handsome and fit
-comes upon Melena's home while Frex is out preaching (they have a long affair)
- strongly suggested that he is the father of Nessarose
-leaves Quadling Country because of the “horrors” ( The Wizard of Oz is ruining their land and murdering citizens for the rubies situated below)
Boq
-He is a Munchkin
-knew Elphaba as a child and reunites with her at Shiz University
-in the beginning, he is interested in the friendship of Elphaba for Galinda (his crush)
-later become close friends and help Dr.Dillamond with his research
Fiyero
- the prince of the Arjiki tribe in the Vinkus
- meets Elphaba at Shiz Univeristy
Book Notes: Setting
Map of Oz |
Munchkin Country:
Munchkinland in "The Wizard of Oz" |
Quadling Country:
My illustration of Quadling Country |
Gillikin Country is home to Shiz University is a industry developed and prosperous region in the Land of Oz. Glinda (the Good Witch of the North) is a native Gillikinese. The citizens are distinguished by their large foreheads, gapped front teeth and curly blond hair. Shiz University is a cluster of several distinct collages and is illustrated by looking like a cluster of various types of architecture. Elphaba and Glinda become roommates in Crage Hall (an only female college due to the apparent gender segregation). This was the start of a complicated relationship amongst the duo and its significance plays a major role in the development of Elphaba’s independent character.
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