“All societies create myths about those whom they consider deviant, abnormal, or simply different” (366).  Throughout life people are always outcast or treated differently because of they way they act or look.  They are considered deviant or the other. According to the glossary of Everyday Everywhere, “in societies in which the concept of the norm is operative, those whose characteristics deviate from the norm- for example those with disabilities” (705) is considered the other.  In the Broadway hit musical Wicked, which opened in 2003, is a perfect example of a deviant green skinned girl, Elphaba, who later becomes the well-known Wicked Witch of the West, a smart girl who is misunderstood but struggles to gain acceptance and love from the rest of the city and challenges the defined ideas of good and evil.

The musical Wicked is about the life and times of the Wicked Witch of the West and how she became wicked.  When Elphaba was born she came out with green skin.  Elphaba has green skin because of a drink her mom had purchased from a salesperson during her affair with her husband.  When Elphaba’s “father” sees his daughter upon her birth he discards her because of her green skin.  Later on in life she attends Shiz University where she meets Galinda, the good witch.  Everyone at the University hates Elphaba because of her skin and the fact that she has powers.  At the University Elphaba is in charge of taking care of her crippled sister Nessarose who is bound to a wheelchair.  Galinda, who is seen a carefree kind of person with high class, is only attending Shiz University to attend the legendary sorcery program.  When she doesn’t get accepted into the program and Elphaba does the feud between the two thickens. Elphaba becomes the teacher’s pet to Dr. Dillamond, a goat who has realized that things in Oz aren’t always what they seem to be.  To make things worse by some mix-up the two end up becoming roommates. After the dance at the Ozdust ballroom Galinda gains a new friendliness for Elphaba.  Galinda insists on the two of them sharing secrets. Elphaba goes on to share how her father hates her and blames her for her mother’s death and her sister’s disability even though it is not actually her fault.  Feeling bad for Elphaba, newly nicknamed “Elphie,” Galinda decides to make her popular.  Nessarose becomes the governor of Munckhkindland and has stripped the Munchkins of their rights. Nessarose is upset with Elphie for abandoning her and not casting a spell so that she can walk.  Elphie casts a spell on the slippers that turn them ruby red Nessarse is able to walk. Nessarose is jubilant and Elphie is delighted that she has finally done something good with her powers. The next day Dr. Dillamond is taken away and exclaims that they’re “not being told everything” (Wicked).  Elphaba is outraged and feels she must stop this from happening. She is then invited to the Emerald City to see the wizard. Elphie goes and meets with the Wizard only to discover that he is the one behind the harming of all the animals. She steals the Wizard’s book of magic and vows to fight the wizard with everything she’s got.

Work Cited

Cao, Guanlong.  “Chopsticks.”  Every Day, Everywhere: Global Perspectives on Popular Culture.  Eds. Stuart Hirschberg and Terry Hirschberg.  Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2005.  108-111.

Hirschberg, Stuart and Terry Hirschberg. “ Gender (Mis) Representation.” Every Day Everywhere: Global Perspectives on Popular Culture. Eds. Stuart Hirschberg and Terry Hirschberg.  Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2005.  221-225.

Hirschberg, Stuart and Terry Hirschberg. “ Glossary.” Every Day Everywhere: Global Perspectives on Popular Culture. Eds. Stuart Hirschberg and Terry Hirschberg.  Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2005.  701-707.

The Wizard of Oz. Dir. Berry Cook, Walt Disney. 1998

Pronger, Brian.  “Sexual Mythologies.”  Every Day, Everywhere: Global Perspectives on Popular Culture.  Eds. Stuart Hirschberg and Terry Hirschberg.  Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2005.  226-237.