Themes

As with most novels, the more prominent themes in Wicked are entangled within and among important concerns for society; indeed, as Elphaba notes: "you can't divorce your particulars from politics". Therefore, issues of religion, Animal rights, and political unrest are entangled with issue of otherness, sexuality, body image, revenge, and perspective within the novel. Elphaba embodies the very notion of "otherness" because she is conceived half of Oz and "other world" and is a green woman. Moreover, Maguire includes several characters who both perceive and are perceived differently: Fiyero has "blue diamond skin"; Glinda is incapable of "seeing" or "considering" past her social standing in life; Boq is a Munchkinlander who will always be smaller than everyone else; Nessarose has no arms; and Dr. Dillamond is a Goat who can never fulfill his purpose in a human world. Moreover, the theme of otherness bleeds into issues of sexuality...