For Good’ has no ruby slippers for Dorothy. Why?

The stage lights dim, the orchestra swells, and Elphaba, green-skinned and defiant, belts out another heart-wrenching ballad. But wait, something’s different. There’s no sparkling pair of ruby slippers waiting in the wings for a certain farmhouse-toting girl from Kansas. Why is that? The musical “Wicked,” a dazzling reimagining of the Wizard of Oz story from the witches’ perspective, deliberately omits the convenient, magical resolution that Dorothy finds in the original tale. It’s a conscious choice, a narrative thread carefully snipped to serve a much larger, more complex purpose. It’s a question of character, of plot, and, frankly, of dramatic necessity. I remember seeing “Wicked” for the first time; I kept expecting those slippers to show up, some glimmer of familiar Ozian magic. But they never did, and the absence resonated far more powerfully than their presence ever could have. It made me question everything I thought I knew about Oz, about good and evil, and about the power of perspective.

The lack of ruby slippers for Dorothy isn’t just a quirky omission. It’s a fundamental divergence that speaks volumes about the themes and ambitions of “Wicked.” We’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto, and we’re certainly not following the yellow brick road to a simple, pat resolution. Think about it: in the classic “Wizard of Oz,” the slippers are a deus ex machina, a magical get-out-of-jail-free card that allows Dorothy to undo everything with a click of her heels. “Wicked,” however, aims for a more nuanced, morally gray exploration of power, prejudice, and the lasting consequences of choices. Giving Dorothy that easy out would undermine the entire premise. It would invalidate Elphaba’s sacrifices and diminish the emotional impact of her story. (My friend Sarah, a die-hard “Wicked” fan, once told me, “If Dorothy clicked her heels in ‘Wicked,’ I’d walk out. It’d ruin everything!”). The musical, at its core, argues that actions have repercussions, that even well-intentioned acts can have devastating effects. And sometimes, there are no magical fixes.

The absence of the slippers also serves to heighten the dramatic tension and emotional stakes for Elphaba. Her journey is one of constant struggle, of fighting against systemic injustice and societal prejudice. She faces betrayal, loss, and ultimately, martyrdom. To introduce the ruby slippers would be to diminish her agency, to suggest that her efforts were ultimately futile because a simple, magical solution was always available. It would be like saying, “Oh, all that fighting for what’s right? Never mind, just click your heels.” No. The slippers are gone. The story is about the character journey. The show must go on… without convenient magic.

Character and Narrative Choices

The decision to exclude the ruby slippers is deeply rooted in the character arcs of both Elphaba and Glinda. “Wicked” isn’t simply a retelling of “The Wizard of Oz;” it’s a character study, a deep dive into the motivations and complexities of two women who are ultimately labeled “good” and “wicked” by a society that fears what it doesn’t understand.

Elphaba’s Sacrifice

Elphaba’s journey is one of self-sacrifice. She dedicates her life to fighting for the rights of the oppressed, even when it means sacrificing her own happiness and reputation. The absence of the slippers reinforces this theme. She can’t rely on magic or convenient solutions; she has to fight for what she believes in, even if it ultimately costs her everything. A close friend of mine, a community theatre director, once said: “Elphaba’s strength lies in her unwavering commitment to her ideals. Giving Dorothy the slippers would cheapen that, suggesting that Elphaba’s efforts were somehow unnecessary or less meaningful.”

Glinda’s Moral Ambiguity

Glinda, on the other hand, represents a different kind of moral complexity. She starts as a popular, somewhat shallow girl, but gradually evolves into a more compassionate and thoughtful leader. However, her journey is also marked by compromises and difficult choices. She allows herself to be complicit in the Wizard’s oppressive regime, and she ultimately benefits from Elphaba’s downfall. The absence of the slippers highlights this ambiguity. Glinda can’t simply wave a magical wand and fix everything; she has to live with the consequences of her actions, and she has to grapple with the knowledge that she could have done more to help Elphaba.

Thematic Implications

Beyond character development, the absence of the ruby slippers also reinforces several key themes in “Wicked.”

Challenging Simplistic Narratives

The musical challenges the simplistic “good vs. evil” narrative of the original “Wizard of Oz.” It presents a more nuanced and morally ambiguous world, where characters are driven by complex motivations and where actions have unintended consequences. By removing the slippers, “Wicked” forces the audience to confront these complexities and to question their own preconceived notions about good and evil. Remember that scene where Elphaba is branded as “wicked”? It’s not just a plot point; it’s a challenge to the very idea of inherent wickedness.

The Power of Perspective

“Wicked” is all about perspective. It invites the audience to see the story of Oz from a different point of view, to empathize with characters who are typically portrayed as villains. The absence of the slippers reinforces this theme by forcing the audience to confront the limitations of Dorothy’s perspective. Dorothy sees Oz as a fantastical adventure, a place where problems can be solved with a little bit of magic. But “Wicked” reveals the darker side of Oz, the systemic injustice and political corruption that Dorothy never sees. By removing the slippers, the musical suggests that there’s more to the story than Dorothy’s simple narrative allows.

Consequences and Responsibility

The musical emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions and the consequences that follow. Elphaba cannot simply wish away the problems of Oz with a pair of magical shoes. She must actively fight for what she believes in, and she must accept the consequences of her choices. This theme is particularly relevant in today’s world, where we are constantly bombarded with messages that encourage us to seek quick fixes and easy solutions. “Wicked” reminds us that true change requires effort, sacrifice, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths.

Adaptation and Creative License

It’s crucial to remember that “Wicked” is an adaptation, not a direct translation, of “The Wizard of Oz.” Adaptations often involve making changes to the original story to suit a different medium or to explore different themes. In this case, the writers of “Wicked” made a conscious decision to deviate from the original story in order to create a more complex and thought-provoking narrative. This is not unusual in the world of musical theatre! Think of all the Shakespeare adaptations that take huge liberties with the original text.

Expanding the World of Oz

By removing the ruby slippers, the creators of “Wicked” were able to expand the world of Oz and to explore its darker corners. They were able to create a more believable and relatable world, one where magic is not always the answer and where characters are forced to grapple with real-world problems. The musical delves into the political machinations of the Wizard, the plight of the talking animals, and the social injustices that plague Oz. These are all elements that are only hinted at in the original story, but which are brought to the forefront in “Wicked.”

Serving the Musical Medium

The changes made in “Wicked” also serve the musical medium. Musicals are inherently dramatic and emotional, and they often rely on heightened realism and symbolic storytelling. The absence of the slippers allows the musical to focus on the emotional journeys of Elphaba and Glinda, and to explore the complex themes of the story in a more nuanced and impactful way. Can you imagine Elphaba and Glinda breaking into a duet about the power of ruby slippers? I don’t think so.

A Modern Interpretation

Ultimately, the decision to exclude the ruby slippers in “Wicked” reflects a modern sensibility. We live in a world that is increasingly complex and interconnected, and we are constantly bombarded with information and perspectives. We are also more aware of the social injustices and political inequalities that exist in our own world. “Wicked” speaks to these concerns by presenting a more nuanced and morally ambiguous version of the Oz story, one that challenges us to think critically about the world around us and to take responsibility for our own actions.

The musical offers a powerful message about the importance of empathy, compassion, and standing up for what is right, even when it is difficult. It reminds us that even in a world filled with magic and wonder, the most important thing we can do is to use our own voices to make a difference.

Conclusion

The absence of ruby slippers for Dorothy in “Wicked” is not a mere oversight. It’s a deliberate and meaningful choice that reflects the musical’s complex themes, nuanced characters, and modern sensibility. It’s a choice that elevates the story beyond a simple retelling of “The Wizard of Oz” and transforms it into a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of good and evil, perspective and responsibility. The next time you see “Wicked,” pay attention to what’s missing, as well as what’s present. You might be surprised at what you discover. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll realize that sometimes, the most powerful magic is the kind we create ourselves.