Wicked The Life Times of the Wicked Witch

Wicked: The Life & Times of the Wicked Witch of the West By: Gregory Maguire

Table of Contents • • • The author The book Characters Themes The play “For the Witch, the sky was a huge boulder pressing down on her. For Glinda it was much the same. But Glinda wheeled about, and cried out, ‘Oh, Elphie!’ The Witch did not turn. They never saw each other again. ”

Gregory Maguire • Children’s books • Leaping Beauty: And Other Animal Fairy Tales • The Hamlet Chronicles • Adult novels • Many of his adult novels are retellings of classic children's stories • Wicked • Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister • Mirror, Mirror Home

The book • An unusual take on popular children’s literature and cinematic history. • An insight into the making of a hate-figure. • Introduces the parents of emerald-skinned Elphaba • Describes her unconventional early family life. • Tells of Elphaba’s college years at Shiz University and her political activism in the Emerald City. • Explains her part in disputes between the Wizard and the varied peoples of Oz. Home

Characters • • Elphaba Glenda (Galinda) Boq Fiyero The Wizard Madame Morrible Nessarose Nanny Home

Themes • • Good vs. Evil Difference Animal Rights Wickedness Home

Good vs. Evil • Maguire’s re-writing of the Witch’s history makes many comments about the writing of histories and fictional narratives. • How is it that the ‘good guys’ always seem to win and the ‘bad guys’ meet their downfalls? • Do those who struggle against power win only when that power is destroyed? • Should history be as black and white as good struggling against bad? Home

Difference Home

Animal Rights

Wickedness • Are people born wicked? Home

The Play Home