Wicked Study Guide
Wicked is a novel by Gregory Maguire that reimagines the backstory of the Wicked Witch of the West from L. Frank Baum's classic novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. It explores the complexities of good and evil, friendship, and the choices that shape our destinies.
Themes
- Good vs. Evil
- Friendship
- Identity
- Power and Corruption
- Tolerance and Acceptance
Characters
The main characters in Wicked include:
- Elphaba - The Wicked Witch of the West
- Glinda - The Good Witch of the North
- Fiyero - A prince and Elphaba's love interest
- Madame Morrible - The headmistress of Shiz University
- Doctor Dillamond - A goat who is also a professor at Shiz
Discussion Questions
- How does the novel challenge traditional notions of good and evil?
- What role does friendship play in the characters' lives and decisions?
- How does Elphaba's identity as the Wicked Witch of the West shape her choices and interactions with others?
- What commentary does Wicked offer on the nature of power and its potential for corruption?
- How does the theme of tolerance and acceptance manifest in the novel?
Essay Prompts
- Discuss the significance of the title "Wicked" in relation to the characters and their actions.
- Compare and contrast the characters of Elphaba and Glinda, and how their friendship evolves throughout the novel.
- Examine the role of prejudice and discrimination in the world of Oz, and how it reflects our own society.
- Analyze the theme of power and its impact on the characters' motivations and relationships.
- Explore the idea of redemption and forgiveness in the context of the novel's conclusion.
[Wicked] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:
.◂English Language Arts Worksheets and Study Guides Eighth Grade. Descriptive Text
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Worksheet/Answer keyWorksheet/Answer keyWorksheet/Answer keyThe resources above cover the following skills:
Writing Standards
Text Types and Purposes
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences. [W.8.3]
Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, and reflection, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters. [W.8.3b]
Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events. [W.8.3d]