Wicked: Decoding Gregory Maguire's Disturbing Novel
Summary:
This video explores the original "Wicked" novel by Gregory Maguire and its differences from the musical.
- The novel dives into complex themes and morally questionable content.
- The plot includes graphic content and mature themes that are not in the musical.
- The video summarizes characters and world-building.
- Differences between the religions: Lurlinism, Unionism, and Pleasure Faiths are summarized.
- The video explains the main events from Elphaba's birth to Dorothy's arrival.
Gregory Maguire's version of the map of Oz [ 00:07:30 ]
World-Building in Wicked [00:03:53]
- Animals can speak, divided into capital "A" Animals (same social class as humans) and lowercase "a" animals (like in our world).
- Magic is a learnable skill but controversial.
- 3 main religions:
- Lurlinism: Belief in the fairy queen Lurline as the creator of Oz, her descendants rule Oz (Osma).
- Unionism: Worship of the unnamed God, strict moral code against magic and pleasure, belief in the evil Conric Witch.
- Pleasure Faith: Focus on magic and overindulgence.
- Geography and political regions:
- Emerald City: Capital of Oz, everything is green, ruled by the wizard.
- Gillikin: Wealthiest, technologically advanced, has a railway, Shiz University.
- Munchkinland: Farmland, people are short, brightly colored houses, ruled by the Eminent Thropp.
- Quadling Country: Marshland, red-skinned quadlings are seen as the lowest in society.
- Vinkus: Also known as Winkie Country. Home to feral tribes in deserts and mountains.
Birth and Early Life of Elphaba [00:09:33]
- Setting: Rush Margins, Munchkinland.
- Frex (unionist minister) receives a letter warning him about the Clock of the Time Dragon.
- The Clock arrives and puts on a puppet show targeting Frex, causing the townspeople to turn on him.
- Frex's wife, Melena, gives birth to Elphaba during the chaos; Elphaba has green skin, sharp teeth, and is of questionable gender.
- Melena is a pin lble leaf user (drugs).
- Melena had a non-consensual encounter with a man who gave her a green drink, potentially explaining Elphaba's oddness.
- Elphaba's Nanny tries to find the reason for her green skin.
- Turtle Heart, a Quadling glass blower, connects with Melena and sees things in the glass with Elphaba.
- Turtle Heart warns of bloodshed in Quadling Country because the Osma regime wants to build the yellow brick road there.
- Molina gets pregnant. Nanny reveals yakle told her that her family has a part in writing history.
- Alaphaba wanders under a dock on the lake to the monster.
Elphaba and Galinda at Shiz University [00:18:30]
- Galinda (from Gillikin) is status-obsessed and attends Shiz University, worried about not having an Amma (chaperone).
- Galinda has an encounter with Doctor Dillamond.
- Madame Morrible, headmistress, is intimidating.
- The Ammas pair the students to benefit them socially; Galinda worries about rooming with a "dormitory class" girl, not Alaphaba.
- Galinda meets Fienne, ShenShen, and Millier.
- Melena likes using Alaphaba for social leverage.
- After living together for 3 months, Galinda and Alaphaba finally get to know one another.
- At a party, The Headmistress says "animals should be seen and not heard" and after dillamond protests.
- Madame Morrible tells Galinda to take sorcery but with her, there is more social benefit.
Bok's Story and the Growing Divide [00:25:57]
- Bok has a job at the library in Shiz, but watches Galinda from a roof.
- Alaphaba asks Bok to stop and helps Bok speak to Galinda.
- Galinda says no to Bok and then they continue to move forward.
- Bok is a creep.
- As part of his job, Bok has a run in with Crope and Tibbet and they help Alaphaba.
Increasing Tension and the Seeds of Rebellion [00:27:31]
- Dr. Dillamond talks about Animals being stripped away in rights and is killed.
- Alaphaba thinks it wasn't an accident.
- Alaphaba is in a lecture when something is released into the room and a wind brings Fiero in.
A Change of Heart [00:28:10]
- Galinda asks if she can change rooms, as they go the headmistress tries to get her to take sorcery with her.
- Avarik and Bok get together in a hall.
Allying with The Wizard [00:28:30]
- The death of Dilamond.
- Galinda takes a chance to change what is needed in the world after what is happening.
Years Later and Changing Alliances [00:30:20]
- A time jump shows that they are long out of school.
- They meet again but not as friendly
- Molly tells all but gets a prophecy of two sisters changing the world.
A New Family Is Growing? [00:30:40]
- A letter comes and Galinda gets to meet her.
- The boys stay away and meet each other later.
- There are conversations.
- No one gets to go to war but turtle heart sees the bad that is coming from it.
Allying with "The Beast" [00:30:45]
- After an argument and threats of outing the affair by nanny, Alaphaba joins child care.
- Nanny does a great job.
- Molina and Turtle Heart get closer.
- A red brick road is being planned.
The Truth About Her Father [00:34:21]
- He is now the bishop and Alaphaba has found him.
- Does she need to read about what the Wizard wants the most?
The Choice Is Hers [00:37:52]
- There is an offer from Madam Marabell, her life and her journey.
- Glenda joins and has a choice to make
- She leaves to her family where they do not know about her and have to find them, where she will decide what to do.
Years Later and What Next [00:37:52]
- Her sister comes to call her the red sister and everything goes down hill from there.