Exploring Psychology Themes in "Wicked"
The whole world seems to be gripped by Wicked fever this holiday season as fans flock to theaters to see the backstory of the Wicked Witch of the West come to life. The movie Wicked (Chu, 2024) is an adaptation of the Broadway musical (Schwartz & Holzman, 2003), which is itself based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. The story serves as a reimagined prequel to The Wizard of Oz (Baum, 1900), offering a nuanced perspective on the origins of Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda (the Good Witch of the North). Along with catchy songs, stunning visuals, and A-list star power, Wicked also presents an amazing opportunity to explore common psychological themes of identity, prejudice, power, and morality (just to name a few).
Oppression is a central theme in Wicked, depicted through societal hierarchies, systemic prejudice, and the marginalization of individuals and groups. Take Elphaba herself, whose green skin makes her a target of ridicule and exclusion, symbolizing societal prejudice against those who are different (particularly regarding the color of their skin). Her brilliance and strong sense of justice are increasingly overshadowed by discrimination throughout the story, providing a stark illustration of the ways in which society often silences or marginalizes individuals based on appearance or identity. In fact, Elphaba is labeled "wicked" not because of her actions, but because she challenges authority and fights for justice. This reflects how oppressive societies demonize those who resist or threaten the status quo.
In the magical land of Oz, many of the Animals are sentient. As the story progresses, we begin to see these Animals becoming stripped of their rights and forced into silence. Dr. Dillamond, a Goat and professor, loses his position and is subjected to systemic discrimination, reflecting themes of dehumanization and the loss of autonomy for minority groups. While clearly fictional, this narrative is one which we have seen many times over throughout human history.
Oppression requires an oppressor: in this case, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz himself. The Wizard's regime exemplifies oppressive governance. He manipulates propaganda to maintain control and vilify Elphaba as "wicked" when she resists his tyranny. This showcases how those in power suppress dissent to protect their dominance. And while we love to love the beautiful Glinda, we find her guilty of complicity in this regime (at least at first!). Initially, Glinda benefits from and reinforces the oppressive systems, striving to maintain her status and popularity. Her journey highlights the conflict between complicity in oppression and the moral imperative to challenge injustice (which, don’t worry, she eventually does).
Ultimately, Wicked is much more than just a blockbuster film. The story challenges the simplistic dichotomy of good versus evil, revealing the complexities of character and the subjective nature of morality. Can’t get enough? Check out my Psi Chi article to learn more about psychology themes in Wicked!
References
Baum, L. F. (1900). The wonderful wizard of Oz. George M. Hill Company.
Chu, J. M. (Director). (2024). Wicked [Film]. Universal Pictures.
Maguire, G. (1995). Wicked: The life and times of the Wicked Witch of the West. HarperCollins.
Schwartz, S. (Composer & Lyricist), & Holzman, W. (Writer). (2003). Wicked [Musical]. Directed by J. Mantello. Gershwin Theatre, New York, NY.
