The magic of 'Wicked' isn't just in its songs; it’s in the incredible journey of its two heroines. For writers, the parallel arcs of Elphaba and Glinda offer a masterclass in creating complex, emotionally resonant character relationships.
Start With Contrasting Worldviews
The story introduces
Elphaba and Glinda (then Galinda) as polar opposites. Elphaba is an outsider, born with green skin, whose primary motivation is justice and caring for her sister. She is principled and defiant. Glinda is the bubbly, popular blonde who craves social acceptance and status above all else. Their very first interactions, defined by the song 'What Is This Feeling?', establish this deep contrast. For writers, this is lesson one: create characters who are foils. Their opposing values—idealism versus pragmatism, integrity versus popularity—don't just create conflict; they establish the distinct paths each will travel. By starting at opposite poles, their eventual convergence becomes far more powerful.
Force a Shared Goal, Then a Moral Schism
Initially, both Elphaba and Glinda share a goal: to meet the Wizard of Oz, whom they believe can solve their problems. This shared ambition forces them together, turning their rivalry into a genuine, if unlikely, friendship. The pivotal moment, however, comes when they discover the Wizard is a fraud who is oppressing the Animals of Oz. Here, their paths violently diverge. Elphaba chooses to defy the Wizard, sacrificing her reputation for her principles. Glinda, fearing the loss of her newfound status, chooses to become the public face of the Wizard's regime. This critical choice, a true moral schism, is the engine of the entire story. Writers can use this by creating a central event that forces parallel characters to make a choice that reveals their deepest nature.
Mirror Their Trajectories with Inverted Outcomes
After their split, Elphaba and Glinda move on mirrored, but inverted, trajectories. As Elphaba is branded the 'Wicked Witch of the West' and becomes a public enemy, she finds her true self and purpose in fighting injustice. She gains integrity even as she loses her name. Meanwhile, as 'Glinda the Good', she gains immense public adoration but becomes trapped in a gilded cage of lies and political compromise. She loses her authenticity as she gains her status. This inversion is a sophisticated storytelling technique. It shows how two people, shaped by the same events, can end up in opposite places. One character's public fall is her private salvation, while the other's public rise is her private damnation.
Use Moments of Convergence to Show Mutual Impact
Even after their paths diverge, great parallel arcs require moments where the characters reconnect. In 'Wicked', these reunions are freighted with the weight of their choices. Glinda's attempts to help Elphaba are often clumsy and self-serving, yet reveal her underlying affection. Elphaba, in turn, sees the burden Glinda carries. The climax of their relationship comes in the song 'For Good', where they finally acknowledge how they have changed each other. Glinda learns about true goodness from Elphaba, while Elphaba learns about friendship from Glinda. For writers, these touchpoints are crucial. They prevent the characters from becoming static symbols of their choices and instead show them as evolving humans, forever shaped by their shared history.
End With Transformed, Interdependent Legacies
The story's conclusion, which will be fully realized in the upcoming film 'Wicked: For Good', solidifies their intertwined destinies. Elphaba fakes her own death to find freedom, leaving Glinda to rule Oz. However, Glinda can only rule effectively by using the lessons she learned from Elphaba—to govern with kindness and work to undo the Wizard's corruption. Elphaba's rebellion gives Glinda the purpose she always lacked, and Glinda's public role gives Elphaba the freedom she always craved. Their arcs don't just run parallel; they are codependent. One cannot succeed without the other's journey. This creates a deeply satisfying conclusion where their separate endings are, in fact, a shared legacy. It's a powerful reminder that the most compelling characters don't just change themselves—they change each other.
