Character Analysis of Elphaba in the Book, Wicked

Character Analysis Essay Gregory Maguire, the author of Wicked, wanted to create a twist of the Wizard of Oz, by focusing on the life of the Wicked Witch of the West, also known as Elphaba. In the book, the Wizard of Oz, she was seen as a wicked witch to the readers. In the book Wicked, Elphaba was misunderstood and treated poorly. She has changed throughout the book by the environment, her health, community and more. Many people may think of Elphaba as cruel, but she is a good person, because she can be helpful and caring. The following shows how Elphaba is helpful in her environment. Elphaba was born in Rush Margins, Wend Hardings (“‘You were born in Rush Margins in Wend Hardings, weren’t you!’ ”), but she was raised in Quadling Country (“Shell, Nessarose, and I lived…sloping around from Quadling settlement to settlement”). Some resources they have and used were glass and water. Frex made shoes with glass beads for Nessa and Elphaba became jealous (“she withdrew a shoe…with silver glass beads”…“ ‘They’re just gorgeous,’ said Elphaba thickly.”). Water was another important resource and it was also the reason she died (“she hurled the water at the witch. An instant sharp pain…the Wicked Witch of the West died”). One of her responsibilities was to help Dr. Dillamond with his work on Animals (“‘she’s working in the lab and library under our Doctor Dillamond’”…“She told him about Doctor Dillamond’s work…what the real differences were between animal and Animal tissue.). She was offering to help Doctor Dillamond and it shows that she is helpful. Health and social education were important, because Elphaba’s social health changed her in the end of the book. Elphaba understands problems, like the one with Animals, so she talks to the Wizard about it. She starts thinking about it (“‘He’s a man in power…When Doctor Dillamond has his proof, he’ll write to the Wizard and begin to lobby for change.’”) and then she makes her move by talking to the Wizard (“ ‘I have