When reading The Wonderful Wizard of OZ, by L. Frank Baum, the characteristics of good and evil seem be very apparent in the characters. Just from the names of the characters in the novel a reader already has a preconceived notion of what characteristics that character will symbolize. The Wicked Witch of the East and The Wicked Witch of the West both have names that have the word “wicked” in them and they embody wicked characteristics as well, “I have been wicked in my day, but I never thought a girl like you would ever be able to melt me and end my wicked deeds”(Baum 154). On the other side of the spectrum, Glinda the
Good Witch also has a name in which the word “good” is included giving an idea to the reader of what characteristics she embodies. Glinda represents "good” through her actions in the novel as well, “She was both beautiful and young to their eyes. Her hair was a rich red in color and fell in flowing ringlets over her shoulders. Her dress was pure white; but her eyes were blue, and they looked kindly upon the little girl” (Baum 254). blogs.eastonbaseball.
Though reading The Wonderful Wizard of OZ preconceived notions are formed about how good and evil are represented. When reading Wicked, by Gregory Maguire, however, these preconceived notions are tested when the characters of Elphaba-the “Wicked Witch” and Galinda-“the good witch” are introduced. Although Elphaba has the outward appearance of traditional “evil” her actions to not reflect her appearance, “Elphaba looked up at Galinda and smiled. Elphaba the Delirious. I like it” (Maguire 77). The same applies to Galinda who’s outward “good” appearance does not reflect her actions and thoughts as well, “Galinda was still trying to extricate herself from the embarrassing company of Elphaba…” (Maguire 86). Maguire seems to be instilling the same sentiment in Elphaba and Galinda that Baum did in regards to the Wizard of OZ, that even the person that appears to be the most genuine and powerful could really just be a humbug on the inside.
Maguire, Gregory. Wicked. New York: HarperCollins, 2009. Print.
Baum, L. Frank, and W. W. Denslow. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, 2002. Print.
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