What do you think is Gregory Maguire's message in Wicked??

Question

just curious as to what you think his main message is and why

Answer 1

Its a very deep work. VERY deep. But I see one main point. Wickedness is merely an aspect of our nature. Everyone has the capacity for both good and evil. No one is inherently evil or good. Only human.

Answer 2

I don't think I can pick out one main message because the book is so amazingly complex and goes so deep into certain things.  So I'll give you a few:

Obviously Maguire writes a lot about outcasts and acceptance into society (Elphaba being green, Fiyero being black and a "Winkie", Boq being short).  Clearly first impressions do not tell the truth and most people who are outcasts usually are just normal people.

A major theme throughout the novel is good versus evil.  In the beginning of the book, Frex tries to find out what the origin of evil is.  Some in Oz believe some are born evil, others (like Samira) believe that people are born good and learn evil.

Another theme may be the oppression of those who don't deserve it.  I'm talking about Animals, who were basically having their rights stripped away from them.  This can be compared to Jews during WWII or minorities before the civil rights movement.

There are many other messages (like ones about religion, politics, power...), but as I haven't read the book in a couple years, I don't feel I have the expertise to elaborate on those anymore.  I think I'm going to reread the book when I get the chance.

Answer 3

First impressions are not always correct?