#The Wizard and I

[nathvods]

Broadway Elphie 💚

[awhitewomansinstagram]

My favorite part of wicked is watching people realize that the theater kids were onto something this whole time AND watching people who haven’t seen it develop “fan theories” that are literally just the plot of act 2 and/or the nuances of the musical like “Wait I bet no one mourns the wicked is actually about Glinda realizing she was the wicked one and has to live alone now” like yessss I figured this out when I was 8 but you go girl on tiktok

I’m literally so glad people get to experience this musical now after 21 years

[lavupland]

Elphaba just wants to be loved: analysis

I keep getting snagged on this lyric from "The Wizard and I" and what it means for Elphaba/Galinda/Gelphie and Elphaba's personal development into act two.

And all of Oz has to love you When, by the Wizard, you're acclaimed

This offers such big insight into Elphie; how she thinks, and what she wants.

The rest of the song talks about people being "small-minded", about them being "fixated on her verdigris", her father not being proud, her sister being ashamed. The focus is on others being wrong about her because she's green. This is the story Elphaba tells herself, it's her surface motivation, the one we see on the screen/stage: everybody is wrong about her, and she'll prove it.

But the line "all of Oz has to love you" shows us a deeper motivation. Elphaba, more than anything, wants to be loved (and I'll lay out why I think this is her real motivation, and what truly drives her in act one, in a minute).

Despite acknowledging that those who dismiss her due to her looks are narrow-minded, she still wants their love and respect. I think this is something she has trouble admitting to herself. She wants a celebration throughout Oz that's all to do with her - but she sees this in a vision, it's coming from outside, not something she's conjured up herself (arguably). So there's a distance there. She finds it hard to admit to herself that she wants people to see past her appearance into the real person she is inside. (He'll say to me, I see who you truly are [...] and that's how we'll begin, the wizard and I** / Shouldn't a girl who's so good inside have a matching exterior? - again, the wizard is "saying" this - it's kept at a distance, so she can deny it's her true desire).

Elphaba doesn't think she's worthy of love. That's the most heartbreaking thing about her in act one. She doesn't say "all of Oz will love" her, she says "all of Oz has to love" her. It's the only way she can foresee herself being loved; when it's mandatory, when the Wizard tells everybody it's acceptable.

And this is where Galinda starts to come in. Yes, when they meet, Galinda points out that she is green. But then Elphie quips back, embarrasses her in front of everybody, and makes a really astute observation about who Galinda is. "You couldn't care less - though I doubt that". They're on equal footing from that moment on.

**From the very beginning, Galinda sees Elphie for who she is inside (which is how she wanted things to begin with the wizard). Yes, Galinda doesn't like what she sees, and it's why she "loathes" her lmao, but she sees it. And Elphie knows that. The seed for love is planted.

Then at the Ozdust ball, Galinda begins to love Elphaba- or show it, anyway. And in accepting Elphie, she makes it okay for everybody else to accept her too. This is exactly what Elphie wanted from the Wizard!! All of Shiz has to love her, now that by Galinda, she's acclaimed.

This love really props Elphaba up, helps strengthen her resolve. It's why Galinda pisses Madame Morrible off so much. Elphie was isolated, the perfect victim to transform into the wizard's puppet, but Galinda fucked all that up.

But then it all evolves. In being loved by Galinda, Elphie has that root desire fulfilled. It stops being about being beloved by Oz, because Galinda loves her, Galinda accepts her, and that's enough.

And it's instrumental in her development, in the choices she later makes. It's a huge part of her defying the wizard. It's why she can stomach being seen as the Wicked Witch, being hated by everybody. She believes she is worthy of love now, and that's enough. (Disclaimer: a lot of credit for this also goes to her alone; it's also because she's strong and because used to it).

I don't think Galinda is purely a saviour figure - I think they saved each other, but that's a whole other essay. Do I think Elphaba would have still defied the wizard if Galinda never happened? Maybe yes maybe no. I err to the side of thinking she'd defy him eventually, because she has really strong convictions, but not right away. Not when he's the only thing tethering her to what she wants, which is love.

So Galinda gave Elphaba the love she always wanted, helped her believe she is worthy of it - and its from this foundation she can really stand up for what she believes in. Galinda doesn't have to love her. She just does.

[fitzsavorycracker]

One of the saddest things in wicked that no one talks about is the line “and all of Oz has to love you when by the wizard you’re acclaimed.” All of Oz HAS to love you. Not all of Oz loves you, because you’re talented and a wonderful person. No. Poor Elphaba, even in her greatest fantasies doesn't think that she is worthy of or can earn love on her own. She thinks that if someone as powerful as the wizard likes her, then people will have to love her whether they like her or not.

SOMEONE HELP THE POOR BABY

[much2leite]

"The Wizard and I" except it's Minthara's voice everytime there's "Wizard" in the lyrics

[moon-axolotl]

Girl, you were RIGHT. When you meet the Wizard your whole life WILL change. You were RIGHT. Someday there WILL be a celebration throughout Oz that’s all to do with YOU. You were RIGHT. When people see you they WILL scream. But…no no no it’s NOT the way you’re dreaming of... I’m so sorry, girl. I’m sorry. 😔

[arcadialedger]

“The Wizard and I” is obviously a masterclass in foreshadowing and dramatic irony, but what stands out to me most is that Elphaba is NOT a naive character. Anyone would have come to her same conclusion with her visions. It’s a matter of the world simply being that cruel sometimes and it absolutely guts me.

[asexual-juliet]

aaron tveit sang the wizard and i tonight btw. if u even care.

[notearsnora]

“A celebration throughout Oz, that’s all to do with me!”

[freckled-trees]

'The Wizard and I' is such an underrated song that more people are not talking about! Up until this point in the story Elphaba is seen as a self confident young woman until she reveals all of her insecurities in one banger of a song. AND THE FORESHADOWING!! This is one of my favorite songs in the entire musical!!

[cr0wqui11]

🎶The Whizzer and IIIIIII🎶

[whencartoonsruletheworld]

hey just saying. whoever did the lighting for that part of "the wizard and i" deserves 18 billion awards

[gaymercub1990]

I did rent Wicked last night and got the blu-ray preorder as a Christmas gift. I did cry in all the same spots. IYKYK.

[alittlechaotics-blog]

The wizard and I, No one mourns the wicked and dancing through life is going triple platinum in my household actually.

[delicate-night-mare]

If anyone has any song suggestions for edits, or any ideas, feel free to let me know!