Elphaba Thropp Hero's Journey

Throughout all history, the stories we use to shape and critique society have included one common thread; A hero. Whether you are reading biblical records of Moses, watching Shakespearian sonnets unfold, or bunkering down to binge read the latest best seller, you are taking the first step of a hero’s journey. Elphaba Thropp, the lead of the Tony Award-Winning musical Wicked, by Stephen Schwartz and Gregory Maguire, goes through an unconventional, but still overall relatable, version of the hero’s journey, in which she is changed for good and maybe for the better. Elphaba’s main goal and her critical confrontation of her worst fear, or encounter with the Abyss, lead her to the revelation of her true powers. Throughout Wicked, Elphaba’s primary goal is to make Oz a better and more accepting place. However, the way she goes about …show more content…
In Act I, Elphaba expresses her desires to work with the Wizard, whom she assumes will not treat her as an outcast due to the green color of her skin. She sings the song “The Wizard and I” in which she says, “Do you think the Wizard is dumb, or like Munchkins so small-minded? No!” Shortly after this, she reassures her Goat Professor, Dr. Dillamond, that the Wizard can take care of the terrible treatment of the animals in Oz, because, “That’s why we have a Wizard!” These two things combined show that Elphaba believes that by working with the Wizard she can change the social beliefs of the Ozians, and make them more accepting people. Elphaba puts much conviction into the Wizard, and views him as the key to having peace and equality in Oz. However, Elphaba’s hopeful view of the Wizard comes to an abrupt halt at the end of Act I. The Wizard tricks Elphaba into