Social Oppression In Maguire's Wicked

Gregory Maguire’s novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, is a rework of the classic novel, The Wizard of Oz, written by L. Frank Baum. The novel aims to reveal the other side of Oz; the true side that the first novel masked. Munchkinland is no longer the peaceful place that we are accustomed to, but rather it is now full of political upheaval. The Wizard in Wicked has managed to usurp the throne and instill his own totalitarian regime. One important political issue that arises is the idea of social oppression. “Social oppression is a concept that describes a relationship of dominance and subordination between categories of people in which one benefits from the systematic abuse, exploitation, and injustice directed …show more content…
Racial discrimination occurs in Wicked through the comparison of Animals with humans. Animals are animals who have been given consciences which allows them to attain the same rights as humans; however, Animals are often discriminated against and viewed as an inferior species compared to humans. Animals in Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West are often discriminated against even though they may be fundamentally the same as humans (Maguire 67). These Animals are used as an allusion to the discrimination and social injustice that plagues minorities. Maguire uses this brand of prejudice to draw attention to the issues of discrimination that is still prevalent in today’s society. In American society many different forms of discrimination still occurs, but the most common type of discrimination is racial profiling. Since the terrorists attacks on the United States on September 11, not only has security concerns increased, but also racial profiling. Following the terrorist attacks some Americans have even attacked, and killed, members of the Sikh community because they resembled a stereotypical type of Muslims. Even now various