SOSA WICKED TEST Spring Semester: MP 3
Wicked Review
Book 1 “Munchkinlanders”
Characters, Characteristics, and Development:
Melena- The mother of Elphaba, she despised Elphaba and wanted nothing to do with her. She struggled to adapt to maternal characteristics and provide Elphaba with genuine hospitality. Additionally, she craves attention (physical and mental) and feels isolated from Frex, ultimately building a relationship with Turtle Heart. Towards the end of Book 1, she develops love for Elphaba and cares about her like a mother should.
Frex- The “father” of Elphaba, he raises Elphaba but is not her biological father. He is a religious person and spreads the word of the Unnamed God. He also doesn’t want to accept Elphaba into the family. He struggles with maintaining a good impression as rumors spread about Elphaba. Most of the time, he has gone off trying to “find his mind” and gain the trust of his people.
The Clock of the Time Dragon- A traveling show that contains puppets acting out prophecies; It has a huge impact on Frex as he becomes traumatized after watching the show. The Clock of the Time Dragon is an example of foreshadowing.
Nanny- The nanny of Melena and Elphaba. Nanny is an old granny who has taken care of Melena and now guides her to motherhood. She is like a second mother to Elphaba and is the only sane person during Elphaba’s birth. She is an optimist and plays a pivotal role for Melena and Elphaba.
Elphaba- She is the daughter of Melena and Frex. She is the catalyst of the whole story and impacts the life of the Thropp family. She was supposed to be a boy and have normal skin. However, she is green and was born with shark teeth. Elphaba is an odd baby and causes conflicts with her family. She is smart and more developed than other normal babies. Her first word was “Horrors”.
Turtle Heart- An additional family member of the Thropp family. He is a Quadling glassblower and prophet who came to Munchkinland after the Wizard’s army evaded Quadling Country. He develops a relationship with Melena and ultimately has a baby with her. Turtle Heart sees a prophecy towards the end of Book 1 that causes him to faint and worry.
Examples of literary elements in Book 1:
Setting- The time and location in which the story takes place; It establishes context for the readers.
Example of Setting: “Then they pressed on with greater urgency until they came upon a foggy copse- the edge of the graveyard for unconsecrated corpses”(19).
Mood- The emotional response that the writer wishes to evoke in the reader; It engages the reader in the story.
Example of Mood: “
Characterization- The representation of traits and motives of a character; It develops their qualities and behaviors.
Example of Characterization: ”
Conflict- The central problem between characters; It drives the plot forward and develops the literary techniques.
Example of Conflict: ”At home, he had felt the scorn of the people of the whole claustrophobic valley of Illswater: they had connected the Time Dragon’s slanderous story of a corrupt minister with the arrival of a deformed child. They had drawn their own conclusions. They avoided his chapel services”(39).
Examples of literary techniques in Book 1:
Simile- A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things using the words "like" or "as".
Example of Simile: “It slept, looking like a heap of cabbage leaves washed and left to drain on the table”(22).
Metaphor- A figure of speech that describes an object or action as something other than what it is.
Example of Metaphor: “ ‘Frex’ -she headed him off- ‘when the volcano’s ready there’s no priest in the world can pray it quiet’ ”(6).
Hyperbole- A figure of speech that involves extravagant exaggeration used for emphasis, humor, or to gain attention.
Example of Hyperbole: “ ‘I have no self left. I'm only a host for the parasite’ ”(6).
Personification- A figure of speech that attributes human characteristics to non-human things.
Example of Personification: “The wind had picked up. It whistled over the treeless foreheads of the Cloth Hills”(19).
Repetition- Used to reinforce a concept, thought, or idea for a reader by repeating certain words or phrases.
Example of Repetition: “It was a she. It was a her... It was a female”(22).
Alliteration- A literary device that reflects repetition in two or more nearby words of initial consonant sounds.
Example of Alliteration: “
Sibilance- A literary device characterized by the repetition of "s" sounds, creating a hissing effect within a group of words.
Example of Sibliance: “
Contrast- Refers to the act of comparing two or more things to highlight their differences.
Example of Contrast: “
Symbolism- The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.
Example of Symbolism: “And the skin, oh yes, the skin was green as sin”(24).
Allusion- A reference to another work of literature or historical event.
Example of Allusion: “
Foreshadowing- Hints or clues about what will happen later in the story.
Example of Foreshadowing: “Letta was shunned. Her daughter seems to have vanished entirely. We suspect the worst” (13).
Paradox- A statement that is contradictory or opposed to common sense and is perhaps true.
Example of Paradox: “ ‘Nanny likes you.’ She was lying through her teeth,”(25)
Oxymoron- A figure of speech that pairs two words together that are opposing and/or contradictory.
Example of Oxymoron: “
Imagery- Descriptive language that appeals to the senses.
Example of Imagery: “
Diction- The choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing.
Example of Diction: “
Book 2 “Gillikin”
Characters, Characteristics, and Development:
Elphaba- She started college at Shiz, where she met Galina. Elphaba had no friends when she entered, but soon talked to Galinda. They slowly formed a friendship with each other and became good friends. During her summer, she helps Doctor Dillamond research the differences between Animals and humans so they can have equal rights. Though Elphaba has grown up, she is still somewhat insecure about herself and cares about other people. She is committed to fighting for Animal rights, after the death of Doctor Dillamond; she became wise and determined.
Galinda- Very spoiled and privileged; a beautiful Gillikinese girl of middle-range social position from the market town of Frottica in the Perth Hills of Gillikin, the northern province of Oz. She cares a lot about social class and wants to fit in with everyone else. She is very dependent on other people, like Ama Clutch. Galinda shifted from only thinking about being popular to being a bit more thoughtful and empathetic after meeting Elphaba and the death of Doctor Dillamond.
Boq- One of Elphaba’s friends that goes to Shiz and bumps into ELphaba; they become very good friends and end up falling for her roommate, Galinda. He is originally from Munchkinland and grew up as a commoner. He is very short and insecure about his height. His best friend is Avaric, whom he admires and compares himself to. He and Elphaba get very close, so they help each other out with all of their problems.
Examples of literary elements in Book 2:
Example of Setting: “Crage Hall was only twenty minutes from Railway Square. Behind its own bluestone walls, the complex was set with large watery-glass windows in lancet formation. A tessellation of quatrefoils and blind multifoils ran riot at the roofline”(67).
Example of Mood: “
Example of Characterization: ”She reasoned that because she was beautiful she was significant, though what she signified, and to whom, was not clear to her yet”(65).
Example of Conflict: ”he told them that the Wizard of Oz had proclaimed Banns on Animal Mobility, effective several weeks ago. This meant not only that Animals were restricted in their access to travel conveyances, lodgings, and public services...Any Animal coming of age was prohibited from working in the professions or the public sector”(88-89).
Examples of literary techniques in Book 2:
Example of Simile: “
Example of Metaphor: “
Example of Hyperbole: “
Example of Personification: “
Example of Repetition: “
Example of Alliteration: “
Example of Sibliance: “
Example of Contrast: “
Example of Symbolism: “
Example of Allusion: “
Example of Foreshadowing: “
Example of Paradox: “
Example of Oxymoron: “
Example of Imagery: “
Example of Diction: “
Aims from Class:
4/7/25: Why is Elphaba (the witch) villainized by the Tin Woodsman, the Lion, and the Scarecrow? (+ The citizens of Oz)
4/8/25: How does the circumstances of Elphaba’s birth foreshadow a (conflicting, difficult, unfair) future?
4/9/25: How does Elphaba’s infancy foreshadow (Frex, Melena, or Nanny’s) future?
4/10/25: How does Turtle Heart’s presence in Rush Margine immediately improve Melena, Elphaba, and Frex’s lives?
4/11/25: Why is Nanny the linchpin for the Thropp family?
4/23/25: How does Galinda exhibit pride, loneliness, and judgement ypon arriving at Shiz? (This Aim depends on what you choose!!!)
4/24/25: How do Galinda and Elphaba begin to develop a (friendship, relationship, acquaintanceship, or situationship)?
4/25/25: How does Madame Morrible attempt to manipulate the students of Shiz, especially Galinda?
4/28/25: How does Elphaba foster a relationship between Galinda and Boq?
4/30/25: How/Why does Boq assist Elphaba with her research on Animals’ genetics?