Wicked is a progressive narrative that treats witchcraft and the notion of witches with an irony not seen in previous accounts of this tale. For Maguire, "witch" is a label that is constructed by society. It is a label that provides an explanation for activities or events which are otherwise unexplained.

Thus, for Glinda, her title as Witch of the North is silly, if not an insulting term for someone of her "social standing": Well, you know how Munchkinlanders bow and scrape no matter what their democratic inclinations. No sooner had I arrived than they deferred to me, introducing me as a witch.I tried to correct them, a sorceress is really much more apt, but never mind. It was no doubt the outfit, it cowed them. I was on a salmon-pink fantasy that day, and really it suited me.

Similarly, for Elphaba, her label of witch is...