Shannon L. Gaughf
May 12, 2011
Final Research Paper
Professor Rebecca Engle
Western, Wicked Women
“I’ll get you my pretty. And your little dog too!” This famous line is used in the MGM Entertainment Group’s adaptation of Frank L. Baum’s The Wizard of Oz, which carefully constructs a relationship between two witches to show that one is clearly evil and the other inherently good. The audience does not have the opportunity to evaluate or judge the Wicked Witch of the West or Glinda the Good in an objective way; they merely resort to conforming to the stereotypes of good versus evil. These two witches live in the land of Oz where Glinda the Good makes all evil, namely the Wicked Witch of the West, simply melt into nothingness. But what if the evil wasn’t rooted in Glinda at all? If the perspective is reversed, Glinda holds the power to control evil and Elphaba has the power to obstruct it. This role reversal is established in Winnie Holzman’s script of the musical “Wicked”, which reexamines the relationship between the two witches and forces the audience to view them through a different lens.
“Bess Johnson, will you be my friend”? (Abundance, I.1) This endearing comment made by Macon Hill in “Abundance” by Beth Henley gives the illusion that she will be a careful, enthusiastic, and equal partner in her new friendship. Macon Hill is introduced as a gracious woman, eager to provide for others. She is seen as an almost Christ-like figure as she saves her friends from financial and emotion derailment on multiple occasions. But rooted in that façade of good intentions is the desire to control and manipulate Bess to fit under her perfect image. Bess does not perceive Macon’s helpfulness as anything but pure. However she slowly comes to realize that Macon’s overeager behavior to provide for her is overcompensating for Bess’ failings as both as housewife and that Macon seeks full control over Bess’s life as a way of proving who own worth as a woman. Are Macon’s intensions rooted in immoral grounds?
“Wicked” reinvents the classic story of Glinda the Good and The Wicked Witch of the West from Frank L. Baum’s story The Wizard of Oz. The novel was written at the beginning of the twentieth century and adapted into a popular film in 1939. The Wizard of Oz, “tells of the thrill of adventure, the comfort of home, and the journey of self-discovery” (Berger 5). This fairy tale-like story follows young Dorothy Gale as she is swept away by tornado to the magical Land of Oz and encounters some very good friends and one very evil witch. The two witches represent the traditional images of good and evil with Glinda the Good showing Dorothy the importance of trust, kindness, and family while The Wicked Witch of the West tries to steal this away from her. This story fascinated many including author Gregory Maguire who was more concerned with the depiction of the two witches than the ingénue. In 1995, Maguire wrote Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West which, “[built] upon Baum’s classic tale and extending it backward in time…[telling] the story from [the wicked witch of the west’s] perspective” (Britannica: Maguire). His story reveals that Elphaba, the given name of the Wicked Witch, was “lonely and misunderstood, not evil” (Britannica: Maguire). In 2003 this book was adapted into a hit musical of the same name. This time a woman named Winnie Holzman took it upon her to write the text of these iconic witches. Based on the original words of Maguire, Holzman reinvents the witches once more. She strove to show the human element to the Wicked Witch and also dissuade the traditional view of Glinda being a character of purely good conscience.
“Abundance” is the seventh written work by Beth Henley. Written in 1990, Henley spent five years researching nineteenth century pioneer life in order to have enough material to write this play (Plunka 26). In its original production at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa, California, it was declared a “thoughtful and accomplished piece of writing” though it received little critical attention (Plunka 26). Abundance was not received well in its Off-Broadway run as critics claimed that it sent conflicting messages about female bonding and mythology surrounding the American Dream. “Abundance” was staged multiple times over the next five years and received better reviews with each new cast reinventing the characters.
The female relationships in “Wicked” and “Abundance” rely on a topdog and underdog to thrive. Glinda and Macon are both seen as the successful and powerful characters with the ability to save their counterparts from a desolate life but in truth they cause more destruction than production. Glinda’s sickeningly sweet persona is coated with a hidden layer of selfish intentions while Macon’s gracious image hides her desire for perfection and control. Glinda and Macon appear to be offering kindness and generosity to their friendships but in reality, their selfish objectives cause Elphaba and Bess to employ destructive habits in order to make their voices heard.
By the time she reaches Shiz University, Elphaba has given into the idea that her life will never be polished, pretty, or pink. Upon establishing a friendship with Glinda, she begins to believe that there is hope for a brighter future but her dreams are quickly crushed as the truth is revealed. Glinda is a popular beauty queen and as a result, she is accustomed to getting her way. She believes that she is capable of everything and even tries to lure Elphaba to join in this image. Glinda’s life resembles a flawless bubble which encompasses every aspect she finds worthy such as popularity, getting her way, and being fashionable. Elphaba has never believed she could be on the same level as her new friend. She tells Glinda she could never be popular but Glinda replies with, “Oh Elphie, you mustn't think that way anymore! Your whole life is going to change... and all because of me” (Wicked, I.9). Glinda feels she has the power to redefine Elphaba’s persona and exemplify her best traits including her magical powers. When Elphaba finds out that her talents could allow her to meet the Wizard of Oz, the glimmer of hope that she has desperately try to quench begins to bubble to the surface. That hope allows her, “tempted by the external. Wanting to be free of her defining difference, she begins to fantasize about how her efforts might be rewarded by the Wizard” (Women, Leadership, Kruse). But by placing her faith in Glinda, the disappointment is even greater when she faces the disturbing reality that the wizard encourages rather than prevents injustice. Although she grew up believing that she must make her own path in life without the help of others, Glinda’s self assurance and ability to see a perfect future clouds her better judgement for that moment. The anger towards injustice lies dormant while she is determined to believe that the Wizard truly could help her but it unleashes itself with greater passion than before. She feels betrayed by what she considers to be her one true friend and “lost all that is dear to her… her deviance costs her not only those she loves, but also her capacity to create the type of change she so desperately believes is necessary” (Women, Leadership, Kruse). Her rational thinking of the past is gone; she transforms into a manic witch. Although she does not have the image or respect of her peers before meeting Glinda, she still felt comfortable speaking out and was able to connect with those she was trying to save. Now she is literally an outcast, banned from entering the Land of Oz and unable to assist anyone without risking her own life and putting her cause at harm.
Macon believes she understands how best to live life and imposes her knowledge on Bess. Although she had little experience or knowledge of living as a wife in the Midwest, she takes it upon herself to show Bess the best way to live. When a desperate Bess approaches Macon and asks for help in leaving her husband, Macon encourages her to stay with him, as she feels Bess needs to adapt to the housewife ideal. She knows that Bess cannot leave without her and as a result, Bess becomes a prisoner of her own life. Macon is secure in her life as she is experiencing entrepreneurship but Bess is slowly losing the sense of who she is. She fails at being both a mother and a wife and cannot come to terms with her predicament. She takes the blame of a failed life upon herself. While, “[Macon] gains a stronger sense of herself [Bess] loses her sense of herself” (5 years, Andreach). Bess sees Macon’s quick success and cannot understand why her own life does not match her friend’s. She believes that Macon holds the answers and when she fails, she slowly begins to lose grip of reality. This is emphasized even stronger when Bess returns from her capture. Bess has learned a new lifestyle, one where she lived out her dream of being a wife and a mother, but Macon does not acknowledge her friend’s success. Bess is still seen as the same simple minded and easily manipulated young woman that she was previously. Macon “admonishes Bess to drop her attachment to her Native husband” though for the first time in her life, Bess finally feels a sense of purpose in the world (Fesmire 97). Macon does not understand what is best for her friend anymore and cannot understand why Bess does not automatically accept the domesticated lifestyle. Bess develops her self confidence and her role in the world but Macon continues to hold her back, eager to bring Bess back under her control. Macon goes as far as to “chain [Bess] to a stake to prevent her from running away to wean her from her savage ways" as though she still knows what is best for her friend (5 years, Andreach). But this effort pushes Bess to realize the power she could achieve over her friend and instead of accepting the help she resents it.
Glinda’s image as a peppy, perfect, and polished young woman immediately establishes her as a popular character with the ability to help those less fortunate. Her blessings extend to her looks, her charm, and her ability to influence others easily. Glinda, “quickly becomes a leader…in large part due to her feminine beauty and ability to connect with others”. (Women, Leadership, Kruse). Her image directly contrasts that of Elphaba whose outward appearance discredits any merit. But what Glinda does not recognize is that Elphaba has strengths of her own. Glinda’s declaration of her goodness and her image of being perfect overshadows Elphaba’s altruistic and selfless habits. Elphaba is more giving and willing to serve those less fortunate because she identifies with their struggle and wishes to free them, something she hopes for herself as well. Next to Galinda who eagerly announces herself as a savior, calling attention to the fact that she is willing to room with someone as outspoken and disfigured as Elphaba and calling Elphaba her “new project” (Wicked, I.9). She encourages the students of Shiz University to view her as altruistic and genuine when in reality, Elphaba notices the true flaws in the system and desires to seek justice. When the ladies both discover the corruption the Wizard of Oz tolerates, Elphaba immediately springs to action while Glinda focuses on the social aspect. She is concerned that this will reflect badly both on her and on Oz as a whole; she does not particularly care that allowing the injustice to continue to ruin many lives. By complying with the Wizard’s plan, Glinda is “socially constructed as “good” by the Wizard,… rewarded for not challenging the Wizard’s power” and sets the Ozians against Elphaba (Berger 87). She is seen as a brave young woman to have braved the evil Elphaba and is too focused on her enhanced image to bother revealing the truth. Elphaba is now an outcast, both due to her skewed image enforced by Glinda and by her already established disconcerting appearance.
Macon is viewed as a savior when in reality, her image is nothing more than an catalyst for vengeful thoughts. By encouraging the idea that Bess is incapable of providing for herself, Bess loses the sense of who she is. She truly has, “lost her identity to Macon” as Macon now strives to perfect her life as a housewife (5 years, Andreach). She does nothing to help Bess regain what she has lost yet she easily steals from Bess’s original ideals. Macon discovers that, “she has a practical and a sexual nature [while] Bess came to the West to experience love” (5 years, Andreach). Macon has the love of two men, a fruitful lifestyle, and Bess is forced to cling to her while standing back and watching her fantasy life unfold at the hands of another. Macon loses her sense of adventure but she takes from Bess the importance of being a strong provider for the family. She is seen as the pretty, capable, and successful wife while Bess is forgotten. Bess is not even viewed as a capable human being by her husband as he frequently says, “you’re so weak…you’re useless” (Abundance, I.7). Jack has no confidence in his wife and Macon easily complies with this mentality. But Macon’s attempts to keep Bess down backfire. Those long years of waiting for her moment to shine pays off when Bess is discovered by Elmore Crome. Suddenly her words are important and only her voice can be heard. Elmore is not interested in hearing about Bess’s relationship with Macon; he wants to hear how she survived on her own in the wild. Bess could have credited Macon as a source of willpower while she was gone but her anger and resentment has been harbored for two long. Bess takes pleasure in the fact that Macon was not her savior while she was in captivity and recalls nothing of her former life. Any moment before her capture was locked in unconscious memory, never to be drudged up again. Bess takes pleasure in recalling her adventures and instead of feeling guilt for ignoring the services Macon provided for her, she has a gleeful grin on her face. Bess is now in charge of her life with her own selfish desires and the wish to control the minds of those around her.
Glinda causes more harm than good to Elphaba’s already dysfunctional world. She believes that she is helping her become a more socially acceptable person when in reality, she is taking away the best aspects of Elphaba’s personality. In her attempts to bring Elphaba to a socially equal level, she achieves the exact opposite. It is said that, “social relationships are necessarily asymmentrical and are defined by an unequal distribution of material or social goods and resources” which is shown in her friendship with Elphaba as she remains on the higher plain despite efforts to bring Elphaba out of her isolated state (Women, Leadership, Kruse). She believes that she alone knows what is best and what will make Elphaba a better, happier person. The two women share a moment in their dorm room when, in an attempt to bond with her roommate, Glinda suggests they share secrets. But when Elphaba shares a personal fact about her life, Glinda discredits it. She does not think it is a worthy secret. Instead of showing her intimacy and compassion, Glinda reinforces that the world is a cruel place that lacks sincere understanding of psychologically impairing events. In addition, Glinda paints her a picture of a flawless, opaque world with no disturbance from the outside corrupted world. But through these efforts, Elphaba begins to lose sight of her reality. Glinda’s world is not affected by evil thoughts or evil acts—she believes and accepts that through a good outward appearance, anything is possible. The only harm comes from acting like evil exists. Elphaba wants to pretend everything will be perfect but when the reality of her situation sets in again, it forces her the other direction.
Macon’s attempts to help Bess’s quality of life backfire and Bess develop a cynical approach to their relationship. Originally Bess’s true goal in life was to be a good wife and mother but in Macon’s attempt to help Bess develop this, she adopted the image that Bess desired. Even as Macon realizes that Bess is unhappy and envies her success, she tries to manipulate Bess into thinking that her life actually is fine. Bess wants to leave; she knows that, “no matter how hard she tries, she cannot please Jack… she is ready to press further into the West, but Macon, who earlier promised to go…stalls” (5 years, Andreach). Macon discovers that she has the skills to be a successful housewife and businesswoman; she does not want to leave this behind. She thinks Bess simply needs someone to run her life for her and that running away will do no good. She is also not willing to leave and needs some way to keep Bess with her. Bess cannot please her husband, has no money, and fails at a housewife. She begs Macon to leave with her but Macon firmly says that, “she has household obligations to fulfill” (Plunka, 128). This strikes a cord in Bess as that should be her in that womanly position. Macon thinks that keeping them together will benefit her the most but Bess sees Macon’s success as a continual reminder of her own failures. Bess’s inadequacies as a wife are emphasized as Macon develops a relationship with Jack. While she claims to be the only person to help Bess in this world, she betrays her by engaging in a sexual relationship with Bess’s husband. Macon believes she is clever in hiding the affair, hoping that by continuing to help Bess she will cover up the fact that she is engaging in an act of betrayal. But even this plan backfires. Upon Bess’ return, she, “reminds Macon that on the night the two couples celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary, her friend removed the combs from her hair before dancing but asked Jack and not her husband to hold them for her” (5 years, Andreach). Bess knew that Macon had a secret plan for her generosity. Her need for control over Bess’ life and her uncontrollable sexual desire for Jack fueled her need to give Bess attention and assistance. Without Macon’s knowing, Bess discovers the affair and begins to resent her friend. On the night of their fourth anniversary, Bess chooses to run outside because she cannot face the betrayal occurring inside. Her outburst caused her capture. Bess never would have been captured by the Oglala’s if Macon had engaged in the affair with Jack. Every seemingly selfless act by Macon had the undertone of self serving potential.
It can be argued, however, that Glinda and Macon have truly good intentions and circumstances led to the demise of their relationships. Glinda recognizes Elphaba’s struggle to adapt to the social world and offers her guidance to a more beneficial life. Elphaba is, “emboldened by her friendship with the popular Glinda, [and] begins to participate in a world previously inaccessible to her” (Women, Leadership, Kruse). Glinda offers to give her a makeover and invites her to the dance at which all of the popular students will be in attendance. Elphaba herself is resistant and says she, “has to go” as soon as Glinda makes an attempt to beautify her (Wicked, I.9). Glinda even accompanies Elphaba to visit the Wizard as she knows how important this is to her friend. When they discover the Wizard’s corruption, Glinda is trying to ease Elphaba’s pain by asking her to “stay calm” and leave with her (Wicked, I.17). She knows Elphaba will be ostracized permanently if she rebels against the Wizard and does what she can to keep Elphaba integrated into normal society. Similarly, Macon recognizes Bess’s natural deficiencies and naturally feels a desire to aid her. Both women want a prosperous life and Macon has the ability to help Bess reach her goal. Even in their first meeting Macon is introduced as an, “open, giving woman, shares her food with the hungry Bess” when she realizes the desperate situation (5 years, Andreach). She gives her money and food when she has none and provides emotional support in areas Jack cannot fulfill. In a way she becomes more of a partner to Bess than her own husband simply because she cares more for Bess’s well being than Jack. Bess’s disappearance frightens her as she exclaims loudly, “Bess. Bess!” when she discovers Bess is gone which fuels her determination to integrate back into normal society upon her return (Abundance, I.11). She knows that Bess is even less capable of handling her finances and emotions after spending years in captivity and wants to give her a chance of a normal life once again. Nevertheless, the intentions of these two women are tainted with the ability to upset Elphaba and Bess’s lives in ways that cause permanent damage.
Glinda encourages the evil to continue in the land of Oz even though she is aware of the truth. She has forced her best friend into exhile because she is not strong enough to stand up against authority or ruin her flawless image. She enjoys the influence she has over others and by turning her back on Elphaba, her popularity increased. She fears ostracism and “when faced with the chance and choice to resist, she backs down, unwilling to embrace the unknown and fearing the personal cost of difference” (Women, Leadership, Kruse). She encourages the classification of Elphaba as a witch. Although she knows Elphaba would only use her powers for good, she allows a negative connotation of the word to develop among the Ozians. She fails to acknowledge the reality, that “witches are creative, magical people who have power to change the world around them” (Women, Leadership, Kruse). As a public figure in Oz, she paints the picture that Elphaba is harmful and dangerous with magical powers to match her determination to cause evil and unrest in Oz. Glinda does not allow the truth to unfold even though she is the only person who can bring forth real change. Her power and prominence in the community could change the lives of those underprivileged and mistreated members but instead, she stands back while Elphaba is declared a menace to society. Elphaba is “demonized”, unable to escape this image due to alinda’s betrayal (Women, Leadership, Kruse). By pretending everything in the Land of Oz is perfect, she makes the later reality even more disturbing and unsettling for the people of Oz. They cannot accept that their perfect, popular savior was associated with anyone evil and continue to view Elphaba as a threat to society. Elphaba is, “subsequently demonised and in the end recognises her inability to lead in the future”, knowing that the citizens of Oz will always believe her to be a Wicked Witch (Women, Leadership, Kruse). Glinda’s recognizes her power to change the land of Oz for good much too late and Elphaba is forced to fake her own death so that the Ozians will continue to believe in a happy perfect world. Glinda is seen as a hero but in reality, Elphaba is the true hero and martyr in this situation. She had the courage to stand up for justice even at the risk of losing the precious little human connection she had in her life.
Macon is the source of unrest in Bess’ life. The constant pressure for Bess to conform to Macon’s ideals finally leads to Bess’s demise. Bess is no longer the submissive, patient, dutiful wife that she strove to be in the beginning of her marriage. Rather she is vengeful, bitter, and selfish in her view of life. Instead of seeing herself as a person who needs to be controlled and domesticated, she see Macon as a, “civilized savage…attempting to have love and power simultaneously” (Plunka 131). Macon pushed Bess to destroy her fantasy world and live in reality. But that reality came with a price. Once she realizes Macon’s control over her life is the source of her happiness, revenge is the only object of Bess’s affection. In Macon’s desperate state, she refuses aid her though she knows Macon came to her aid countless times before. She believes Macon is a traitor, undeserving of financial or emotional support. Macon stole her identity and she will steals hers right back. She speaks of wild adventures and of her bravery, quoting Macon directly as to make her even angrier .Their friendship is so damaged that Bess cannot even recognize the relationship they once had. In a fit of passion Bess declares to Macon, “take this knife, take this ink. Cut open your face. I’ll let you be me” knowing that she has finally succeeded in conquering her friendship (Abundance, II.6). Their relationship has come full circle; Bess recognizes that Macon finally envies her instead of the opposite. But Bess is now alone in the world. Macon’s betrayal and lack of understanding causes their friendship to be irreparably damaged. Bess has grown beyond the true meaning of friendship. She does not know how to help those in need anymore; rather she turns to her own selfish needs first.
Without even realizing it, Glinda and Macon are conquered by their relationships. They desperately sought control over their friends and as a result they destroyed the pure nature of the relationships. Elphaba and Bess are forever changed by these kinships. Their kind spirits took a backseat to the greater need of full control over their lives. No longer do these women have clear consciences. They will forever be controlled by impure motives and thoughts, tainted by the repression imposed on them by the outside world. Their original good intentions will hide behind layers of revenge, resentment, and reality.
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