Re-Porter Blog: The Porter Report #19

 

Bad Happenings In Oz

The Dark Political Undertones of Wicked

By Brandon Porter

The Land of Oz is a bright and colorful utopia filled with a diverse array of humans, animals, munchkins, and other species living in harmony under the mysterious and benevolent Wizard of Oz. It’s a paradise brimming with hope, optimism, and progress. At least, that’s what it looks like on the surface. This past weekend saw the release of Wicked, a film that has instantly captivated pop culture and became one of the year’s must-see cinematic events. While the film has an assortment of chill-inducing musical sequences and emotionally heartfelt moments, there is so much more going on within the thematic context of the film. In this post, I want to peel back the layers of some of the political nuance within the film, how the characters fit into it, and how the events that happened in the film’s climax can set up some of the more intensely dramatic moments that are set up to transpire in Part 2 dropping next year. 

This post may contain spoilers for Wicked Part 1 and potentially Wicked Part 2. Be warned, and proceed with caution!!!

While everyone throughout the land seeks to learn from the best at Dear Old Shiz, Elphaba Thropp is more concerned with aiding her younger sister Nessarose as she transitions into a new setting. Despite not being enrolled, Elphaba earns a position on campus thanks to a magical display when trying to prevent her sister from being taken against her will. While this display of raw magical power earns Elphaba a potential opportunity to forge a new path that could change the trajectory of her life, there is an element that is easy to miss within the chaos that hints at the sinister underlying agenda in Oz. During the squabble, one of the benches launched into the air and impacted one of the stone murals destroying it and revealing another portrait beneath it featuring a collection of animal professors hinting that the faculty was once made up of more animals that could speak. This is the first of many instances of a dark plot to silence or even erase a group that has contributed so much to the growth and progress of Oz. Elphaba starts to see those threads more clearly when she connects with one of her professors. 

As one of Shiz University's most respected teachers, Dr. Dillamond exudes respect and wisdom despite him being a goat who can talk. He is however not afraid to speak his mind especially when it comes to situations that threaten individuals like himself. Not oblivious to the clear signs of anthropomorphic animal persecution in Oz, he and his colleagues are outspoken about the many inhumane treatments animals like himself are facing under the Ozian police force. Despite the dangerous risks, Dillamond is determined to speak the truth and not be silenced like so many others before him. Unfortunately, his boldness doesn't stop him from being forcefully removed from his teaching position and replaced with another teacher of non-animal origin. Elphaba and the students then see firsthand what Dillamond was warning everyone about. The new teacher showcases a young lion cub in a cage frightened and cut off from connecting with others like himself or anyone for that matter. Seeing through the bogus declaration that it's for the animal's own good, Elphaba is deeply troubled with the turn of events not understanding why anyone would treat animals like this let alone one so young. When she is personally invited to meet the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, she sees it as an opportunity to change the fate of so many people other than herself. Unfortunately, the truth behind her supposed hero is worse and far more menacing than she thought. 

Initially thought to be a sentimental man filled with wonder and great ideas, the Wizard of Oz turns out to be nothing more than a con man who weaseled his way into power through the manipulation of the people via smoke, mirrors, charm, and cheap tricks. What's more, he isn't just aware of the violent and cruel persecution of animals like Dr. Dillamond...he's the one authorizing the abuse. The Wizard saw animals who spoke, had jobs, owned homes, taught in schools, and acted as modern citizens as unnatural only because it was different from how his world was. Instead of learning from them and adjusting to his new settings, he decided to craft his new home in the image of his old one. One where animals didn't speak and have free will but were instead kept as pets, chained, caged, or even hunted. What's worse, Elphaba was so convinced that he was the solution to the problem when he was in actuality the source of it. Even going so far as to be tricked into violently giving the Wizard's monkey guards wings so they can be used as spies to hunt down other animals who act "too human" or speak out against his policies. Galinda, too oblivious to the injustices around her, pleads with Elphaba to look the other way and compromise. She defiantly refuses and rejects his offer to join her ranks. 

This third-act bombshell is the culmination of some strong political subtext that is pretty pointed and timely given recent real-world events. For decades, marginalized people have been persecuted for thinking, looking, or acting a certain way just because it doesn't line up with the worldview of others. Too many times people villainize and antagonize specific groups who are unwilling to compromise to fit in with what they believe is normal or acceptable to those in power. Those who refuse are either bullied, jailed, beaten, or even killed because they refuse to conform to the ideals of someone else. That type of antagonism may be present within the narrative of Wicked, but it is a narrative that tragically is all too common in the real world. People of color, members of the LGBTQ community, and individuals from other countries who practice alternative religious beliefs have all experienced a multitude of verbal and physical violence simply because their ways don't line up with those on top. The ones who compromise and turn a blind eye, like Galinda, do move up but could have their morality put into question. Others like Elphaba, who call out the filth for what is, maintain their integrity but can easily be labeled by the powers against them as difficult, crazy, angry, unstable, or simply an unhinged radical looking to stir more disarray. Sounding familiar yet? 

The encounter with the wizard leaves Oz in a state of chaos with lines drawn in the sand and many relationships either broken or changed. Elphaba and Galinda find themselves on opposite sides of this brewing conflict that will test them in ways they could be unprepared for heading into the next chapter. Elphaba is now a wanted fugitive falsely accused of causing pain and destruction while Galinda chooses to follow her ambition and align herself with corrupt individuals that could cost her more than she can begin to understand. Both women have chosen their side and will have to face the challenges and consequences of the lives they chose. The future could potentially see the powers that be resulting in dirty tactics to keep their sinister intentions and agenda hidden and the results could cause more pain, more suffering, and even death to those closest to both Galinda and Elphaba all to maintain the foot on the necks of those they wish to put into submission. 

As you can see, Wicked is both subtle and not subtle about the subtext they present on screen. While the film is an emotionally invigorating piece of cinema, there is so much more going on under all the awesome choreography and showstopping musical numbers. Deep within it is a story about standing up and doing what is right despite the world labeling you as the enemy. This message frankly makes this film's impact that much more substantial and needed heading into a real-life future that many deem as potentially devastating for those not on the side of the ones in charge. Who knew a cinematic musical prequel about what happened before Dorothy dropped in would end up being such a mirror for our current and future political landscape. But despite the direness of the situation, there is hope that the circumstances we face that were put in place to break us could, much like the witches of Oz, change us for the better.