To truly understand Wicked, you need to start with The Wizard of Oz. While The Wizard of Oz introduces us to the magical world of Oz, Wicked dives deeper into the characters and their motives, particularly the Wicked Witch of the West. But why is she considered “wicked”? The answer lies in how society views her, and that’s where the lessons on education and personal growth come in.
The Backstory: The Wizard of Oz vs. Wicked
The Wizard of Oz tells the story of Dorothy, a girl who ends up in the magical land of Oz. She meets Glinda, the Good Witch, and after an accident, she kills the Wicked Witch of the East. This sets her on a path to face the Wicked Witch of the West, the story’s main antagonist.
But the big question is: Why is the Wicked Witch of the West so evil? In Wicked, we get a new perspective on this question. The show focuses on the motivations behind her actions, and we begin to see that “wicked” might not be so clear-cut after all.
The Power of Music in Wicked
In musicals, songs do more than just entertain; they push the story forward. This is a great tool to use from an educational perspective. In Wicked, the music highlights important themes. A key moment occurs when the children of Oz sing about the Wicked Witch’s death. The lyrics, “The wicked cry alone,” show how society isolates those who are seen as evil.
This moment teaches an important lesson: we learn not just from positive examples, but from negative ones too. The children don’t know exactly why the witch is considered wicked, but they know they should avoid her fate. It’s a reminder that we learn from what works and what doesn’t.
Two Ways We Learn: Study and Experience
In Wicked, education happens in two ways. First, through study — the things we read, listen to, and watch. Then, through life experiences, especially the mistakes we make. The show illustrates this perfectly. Elphaba, the Wicked Witch, learns from both her own choices and from observing others.
One famous quote by Thomas Edison says, “I didn’t fail; I just found a thousand ways not to do something.” This perfectly sums up how Wicked shows us that mistakes are a valuable part of learning. Elphaba may make mistakes, but each one teaches her something important.
“I didn’t fail; I just found a thousand ways not to do something.” – Thomas Edison
Shiz University: Where Magic Meets Knowledge
Shiz University plays a central role in Wicked. It’s a place where magic and knowledge come together. Here, Elphaba learns not just magic, but about herself. Shiz represents how we often discover who we are by challenging societal expectations. It’s a place where creativity and problem-solving come to life, and where Elphaba starts to find her own path.
Redefining Good vs. Wicked
One of the most powerful themes in Wicked is how we define good and evil. Elphaba is labeled as wicked, but as the show unfolds, we begin to question whether she deserves that label. Society’s judgment is often based on misunderstandings, and Wicked invites us to reconsider these labels.
The show forces us to look deeper into why people act the way they do. Wicked helps us realize that we are all more complicated than simple labels.
Ariana Grande’s Powerful Performance
Ariana Grande’s portrayal of Glinda the Good Witch is a standout. In certain scenes, even though everyone around her is celebrating, you can see the sadness in her eyes. She’s going through the motions, but you can tell that she’s struggling with her own emotions. This depth adds complexity to Glinda and shows that even those seen as “good” have their own internal battles.
Conclusion: Wicked and the Lessons We Learn
Ultimately, Wicked teaches us that education is about more than just what we learn in school. It’s about learning from life itself. We don’t just learn from success; we also learn from failure and from those who society labels as “wicked.”Whether you’re a fan of The Wizard of Oz or Wicked, both stories offer valuable lessons. They remind us that there’s more to people than meets the eye, and that every experience — good or bad — offers a chance to grow.