Wicked Witches vs. The Patriarchy

By Ariel King

        If 'Wicked' has taught us one thing, it is that in order to be a feminist, you must be a witch.

        Witches have always played a significant part in feminist history. Dating back to the Salem Witch Trials, Witches became the backbone of the feminist movement due to their empowerment and resistance against all odds. The Salem witch trials were less of a punishment for practicing witchcraft and more of a punishment for women who believed in their autonomy and justice. Women were molded through the effects of the patriarchy into conducting and expressing themselves as dainty and elegant. If they were to present as anything else, such as tomboyish, ambitious, outspoken, or were to fall short of the beauty standards of the 17th century, men would strip their femininity and womanhood away from them. They were no longer viewed as women; they were viewed as witches, no matter if they practiced witchcraft or not.

        The majority of women who were accused of being witches during the Salem witch trials were not witch practitioners. Instead, they were just victims of harsh and misogynistic gender roles. However, many of the accused remained strong and determined during their sentencing and inevitable death. They refused to conform to the expectations coerced upon them, which has since motivated many feminists throughout the years to remain true to themselves whilst advocating for their freedom. The victims of the Salem witch trials' resistance have not just influenced feminism but influenced the rendering of a witch. A witch wasn't necessarily a spell caster or someone who worshipped the moon. Instead, a witch is a person who is determined to fight for justice and not conform to expectations despite repercussions.

        The musical 'Wicked' captures many interpretations of what a witch truly is. Elphaba, the story’s main character, highlights the characteristics of a stereotypical witch in films. She's unconventionally attractive, flies on a broomstick, and practices sorcery of all kinds. As a witch, she stands out from her peers at Shiz University in a more pronounced manner due to her green skin and advanced powers, but it's not just her stereotypical witch traits that define her as a person; it's her strong sense of justice and ambition that sticks out compared to her peers. Elphaba is honest and not afraid to stand up for what she believes is right, even if it gets her in trouble. When she mistakes students for making fun of her sister Nessarose, she immediately uses her telekinesis to warn the bullies not to mess with her. When Dr. Dillamond is forced to quit teaching at Shiz University because he’s an animal, Elphaba releases sleeping poppies into the classroom, which causes the students not to notice her seeking revenge as the poppies lure them to sleep. Yet, while Elphaba's powers assist her in her fight for justice, her heart is what truly brings her goals of dissembling bigotry to fruition.

        The law of attraction is a philosophical belief that you receive energy based on whatever energy you put into the world. Both Glinda and Elphaba showcase this theory through contrasting approaches. Glinda, who spends the majority of the musical personifying traits of pretentiousness and resentment mostly towards Elphaba, often receives misfortune from the world. She is frequently belittled for her poor witchcraft skills, her boyfriend catches feelings for Elphaba, and when she is granted the chance to improve her witchcraft skills by receiving a practice wand, she isn’t able to achieve the results she desires. Despite Elphaba’s share of misfortune, she rises above her unsuccess and later achieves her goals through her benevolent nature. Because of her panic when students mistreated her sister, no one dared to continue to tease her. When she is outraged by Dr Dillamonds’ firing, she gains the attention of the university's discrimination towards animals to many, including Glinda and her boyfriend Fiyero, who go out of their way to assist in her quest to stop animal cruelty. Due to Elphaba practicing her witchery through good intentions such as activism, she is granted a visit to the wizard’s castle, where she possesses the ability to attack systematic oppression head-on. Her passion, telekinesis, and ability to force people to sleep don’t make her a witch. Still, her resistance to oppression and ambition to advocate for the rights of others releases positive energy in the world, which in return supplies her with positive energy that helps her manifestations turn into reality. With Elphaba’s passion for justice leading to her dreams and goals of fighting oppression coming true, Wicked’s plot validates the theory that good things happen to those who do good things, which bleeds into our reality.


        Despite society's repetitive act of fear-mongering and negativity towards the pursuit, everyone in some way participates in witchcraft. We all follow the law of attraction by releasing certain energies out in the world depending on our mood and wants and receiving that energy in return, but not everyone is aware of how to use the law of attraction for their advantage. In order to receive the advantage, you must follow your heart and remain authentic to your desires. If you want the patriarchy to be dissolved, you must not comply with any of the barriers of the patriarchy as it means you aren’t being true to yourself. You have to rise against societal expectations through confidence and determination. Be yourself and believe in yourself whilst fighting for social justice through various means of advocacy such as protests, politics, and spreading awareness. Feminists who advocate for change harness the magical spirit of the earth through their determination and positivity, which contributes to their advocacy gaining recognition and even a call for action as a gift for their energy.

        Watching Wicked has truly helped me be in touch with my inner self. The film's dissection of a witch's autonomy through Elphaba’s (and Glindas!) character and storylines not only highlights the spirit of what witchcraft truly is, but identifies the importance of being true to yourself. Witches do not necessarily need tools such as wands, tarot cards, or crystals to harness power. The power the tools provide is merely present in assisting with directing their energy. Instead, witches need the energy and passion from their hearts alone to hone the power of the universe and make their manifestations fulfilled. As seen through Elphaba, embracing quirks is the heart behind the craft. Sometimes I question my own femininity because of how emotional, weird, and standoffish I may appear, so I’d compensate by conforming to the expectations society has built around me. Yet, as a feminist, fighting for women’s rights contrasts with me concealing my unconventional sense of femininity. It’s difficult to advocate for women’s autonomy and freedom to express themselves without following my own morals myself. So honing in on my quirks and expressing my personality through feminism not makes my advocacy true to who I am, but influences me to fight against the patriarchy even more. When I am true to myself, my passion and determination to succeed increases.

        As seen in a historical example: the women who were murdered during the Salem witch trials stayed true to their hearts and didn’t conform to the stereotypes of the time, which manifested in many women over the years fighting against the patriarchy through their influence. (See: the infamous feminist slogan “We are the daughters of the witches you couldn’t burn”). Feminists who take upon the courage and will of the women of the Salem witch trials are the true witches. They may not be physically casting spells through supernatural forces, but they are mentally casting spells through their determination to dissemble the patriarchy. ■