I recently went to watch Wicked: For Good, the second part of the Wicked musical movies, based on the Broadway musical, which was based on a book. I have listened to the Broadway album, so I already had an understanding of the story, but I wanted to use this occasion to bring up the politics from this fictional world, as I find they are relevant to real historical and current politics. I will be discussing the events of Wicked and Wicked: For Good, so bookmark this if you are avoiding spoilers.
For context, I have been reflecting on nonviolent protests through history and their effect. I have been analyzing pieces like “Letter From a Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King Jr. and letters from other civil rights leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Ceaser Chavez in my AP Lang class, which is why nonviolent civil rights movements were on my mind.
Specifically, an excerpt from an article written by Chavez came to mind when watching Wicked: For Good because of the way Chavez described how those under oppression have violence – or wickedness in this case – projected onto them. It is beneficial for the oppressor if the minority they seek to oppress is viewed in a negative or violent light. In Wicked: For Good, the Wizard and Madame Morrible serve as the oppressive government, who have twisted Elphaba’s cause to save the animals as being wicked. The people of Oz fall for the Wizard’s propaganda that depicts Elphaba in a frightful, evil manner. Time and time again, Elphaba’s good intentions are manipulated into being hateful, until Elphaba feels she is left with no other choice to accept the role of the Wicked Witch. After Fiyero is taken away to be beaten for siding with Elphaba, she retreats to her castle, where she is seen reflecting how her actions have been twisted in the song “No Good Deed Goes Unpunished.”
People’s actions in the interest of civil justice have been twisted throughout history, which is why nonviolent movements are necessary for change. It is important to note that oppressed groups are ridiculed for displays of violence, when this violence is the product of targeted hate from oppressive powers. For this reason, I can understand why many civil rights movements become violent; however, it is not the method that will achieve the desired results.
Furthermore, Wicked: For Good displays the way in which a corrupt power remains in control: building a narrative through propaganda and lies. The Wizard plainly admits this to Elphaba in his song “Wonderful,” where he describes how he has created this web of lies that the people of Oz buy into simply because those narratives sounded better than the truth. This method of false information has been used to further corrupt agendas throughout history and continues to be prevalent in modern-day politics. It is important to me that political art continues to be made and viewed, especially in times when our government turns citizens against each other in order to garner support.
