Book Club Questions: Wicked

Gregory Maguire’s Alternative History of The Wizard of Oz's Witches

Sep 8, 2008

This series offers inspiration for book groups, with points and questions to get discussions started. This week, Maguire's bestselling novel, later a hit musical, Wicked.

Gregory Maguire’s Wicked provides an unusual take on a cornerstone of popular children’s literature and cinematic history. The Wicked Witch of the West in L Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz is an archetypal female villain, with accompanying cackle, broomstick and flying monkeys, but how did she come to be ‘wicked’? Did she deserve to be branded ‘evil’? Maguire’s sparkling novel offers an insight into the making of a hate-figure and asks many interesting questions along the way.

Maguire’s story introduces the parents of emerald-skinned Elphaba (named from L.F.B., the initials of her first creator), and describes her unconventional early family life. We then jump to Elphaba’s college years at Shiz University, her political activism in the Emerald City and her part in the brewing disputes between the Wizard and the varied peoples of Oz.

Writing and re-writing history

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 ‘baddies’ meet their downfalls? Or that those who struggle against power are proven to be righteous only when that power is destroyed? Is it enough to see history in such black and white terms, as good struggling against bad?

Elphaba’s story makes her human and vulnerable, giving her hopes and fears, a heart and a conscience. What do you now understand about the name ‘The Wicked Witch of the West’? How might reading Wicked change the way you perceive history and ideas of good and bad?

For example, how ‘good’ is Galinda, later the Good Witch of the North? Her ‘goodness’ is laced with ulterior motives and her own dreams and doubts. How does the story leave you feeling about Galinda? Think about Galinda’s upbringing and situation in life; to what extent does her own past explain her part in Elphaba’s story?

Think about other famous villains, both in stories and real life; can you think of some alternative interpretations for them too?

Understanding the past

Maguire goes to great trouble to describe Elphaba’s early family life. Yet from birth she was already strikingly ‘different’. Is Elphaba’s character a result of ‘nature’ or ‘nurture’? Meanwhile, why does Elphaba feel so attached to the sparkling slippers? What do the shoes symbolise to her, and why does she resent Dorothy so much for wearing them?

As a group, plot out a timeline of the key events leading up to her being perceived as utterly ‘wicked’. Why does Oz respond so well to her being a villain?

Stage show versus the book

The international hit musical production of Wicked, originally starring Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, has been a phenomenal success, from Broadway to London’s West End. But anybody who has both seen the musical and read the book will know that the stage production has a very different ending to the book. How do the different endings change the impact of the preceding story? Which do you prefer? If you had written Wicked, how might you have finished the story?

Themes and political issues

Maguire’s Oz is full of political unrest. Think about the themes of animal rights, the right to independent rule, freedom from fear, difference, dignity and any others that the group may suggest. Can you see any patterns or links between these themes? Do you think that Maguire is trying to impart a message here? Does Maguire’s Oz remind you of other political and historical situations from the past, and if so, why?

Another particular theme of the novel is the idea of a soul. Elphaba worries, and later claims, that she has no soul. Do you think she is right? Is Elphaba soulless, or soulful?

Language and style

Maguire has a distinctive narrative style. Perhaps group members could pick out passages that they are drawn to and read for each other. What do you like and dislike about Maguire’s style of writing, and how does that influence your experience of the book? Think about choice of words, or perhaps sound, rhythm, or pace.

And finally…

What’s the group’s verdict on this? Does anyone feel inspired to go on and read Maguire’s sequel, Son of a Witch?

The copyright of the article Book Club Questions: Wicked in American Fiction is owned by Lisa Sutlieff. Permission to republish Book Club Questions: Wicked in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.