Fans of the beloved Broadway musical Wicked and followers of its new cinematic adaptation are rediscovering the intriguing world of Gregory Maguire’s creation, particularly the character Elphaba, the infamous Wicked Witch of the West.
What might seem like just an inventive name at first glance carries a deeper significance that ties directly to the roots of the Oz mythology.
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, Maguire’s 1995 novel that reimagines the land of Oz, takes a darker approach than the family-friendly Broadway version that swept stages in 2003.
The novel dives into mature themes such as misogyny, racism, and transphobia—intertwining these real-world issues with the fabric of Oz’s society, where systemic prejudice runs rampant.
The Quadling and Vinkus communities, alongside sentient animals and female characters, endure stark discrimination and are often portrayed through one-dimensional and negative stereotypes.
This portrayal has sparked significant discussion and criticism, especially regarding the handling of sensitive themes.
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For example, one reviewer from Storygraph highlights how female characters are often portrayed as unsympathetic and lacking depth compared to their male counterparts, which might challenge readers to consider how such narratives serve the story.
In contrast to the lighter theatrical adaptation, Maguire’s original text is laced with explicit content, including scenes set in the Clock of the Time Dragon that involve inappropriate performances and venues featuring BDSM and interspecies interactions, indicating the novel’s intent for an adult audience.
Amid these unsettling revelations, one interesting fact about Elphaba’s name stands out as a clever nod to the literary history of Oz. The name “Elphaba” is actually derived from the initials of L. Frank Baum, the original author of The Wizard of Oz.
Maguire shared that he played around with Baum’s initials to craft a name that felt right, eventually settling on Elphaba—a creative twist that links the character directly to the legacy of Oz’s creator.
“I invented the name by playing with the initials of the author, Lyman Frank Baum. I tried Lafaba, I tried Lafeyba. And then I tried Elphaba. As soon as I got Elphaba, I thought, oh, that’s it,” Maguire explained in an interview.