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The Wicked Witch of the West, aka Elphaba, is one of the most iconic figures in modern literature and theater. Known for her green skin, sharp wit, and misunderstood nature, Elphaba’s story has captivated audiences through Gregory Maguire's novel Wicked and its Broadway adaptation.
Yet, one question persists: Is water truly her kryptonite, or is it a cleverly constructed myth designed to fit her narrative?
In the original Wizard of Oz story, Dorothy’s act of throwing a bucket of water on the Wicked Witch results in her death, seemingly proving water's lethal effect.
Disclaimer: This article contains the author's opinion.
Can Elphaba of Wicked be killed with water?
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In the Broadway musical Wicked, Elphaba’s alleged death is revealed to be a ruse. The pivotal moment comes during a confrontation with Dorothy, who throws water on her, replicating the scene from The Wizard of Oz.
To the onlookers, it appears that Elphaba has melted, leaving behind only her signature hat and a vial of green elixir. However, the truth is far more complex: Elphaba uses a trapdoor to escape and survive.
This twist subverts the narrative we’ve been told for decades, casting doubt on the idea that water is fatal to Elphaba. Instead of succumbing to the water, she uses the moment to fake her death and escape Oz with her lover, Fiyero, who has been transformed into the Scarecrow. This revelation reframes her weakness not as a biological fact but as a construct meant to further the myths surrounding her character.
The question of whether water can truly kill Elphaba ties into broader themes in Wicked: perception versus reality, societal judgment, and the manipulation of truth. By the end of the musical, Elphaba’s survival reaffirms that her weakness was likely a tool to control her image and uphold the fearsome persona assigned to her by Oz’s power structures.
What is the origin of Wicked's Elphaba and her weakness for water?
The idea of water being deadly to witches predates The Wizard of Oz and is rooted in folklore. Historically, water has often symbolized purity, cleansing, and renewal. According to History Channel, in the context of witch trials, drowning or immersion tests were used to determine if someone was a witch— a horrific irony considering they would die regardless of the outcome. This association may have influenced L. Frank Baum when he penned The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
In Baum’s book, the Wicked Witch’s aversion to water is less symbolic and more of a plot device to highlight her villainy and Dorothy’s innocence. By turning her death into a theatrical moment of literal dissolution, Baum cemented water as a weapon of purity against evil. The simplicity of this idea made it a memorable detail for readers and viewers, but it also reduced the Wicked Witch to a one-dimensional villain with an easily exploitable weakness.
Gregory Maguire’s novel and the subsequent musical delve deeper into Elphaba’s character, rejecting the simplistic good versus evil dichotomy. In doing so, they question whether the water myth is more than just a convenient story to vilify her. The Wicked Witch is no longer a monstrous caricature but a misunderstood figure battling systemic oppression and propaganda. The idea that water could kill her feels almost absurd when viewed through this lens.
What could water represent more?
Water takes on a more symbolic meaning, representing both cleansing and rebirth. Elphaba’s supposed melting is, in fact, her rebirth as she escapes Oz to start a new life. The use of water as the mechanism for her survival rather than her death reinforces the idea that she is not inherently wicked but misunderstood and scapegoated.
The myth of water as Elphaba’s weakness may also reflect the way societies create and perpetuate narratives to maintain control. In Oz, the Wizard and other authorities fabricate lies to uphold their power, casting Elphaba as a threat to justify their actions. Her supposed vulnerability to water becomes a metaphorical tool to render her powerless in the public’s eyes.
Moreover, Elphaba’s association with water is complicated by her green skin, a physical manifestation of her otherness. The belief that water could harm her mirrors real-world prejudices, where superficial differences are used to dehumanize and oppress individuals.
By overcoming this supposed weakness, Elphaba challenges these perceptions, reclaiming her agency and defying the narratives imposed upon her.
The new movie and Elphaba’s fate
The story of Wicked is now reaching a new generation through the two-part film adaptation, directed by Jon M. Chu. The first installment, Wicked: Part 1, released on November 22, 2024, closely follows the events of Act One in the musical. It goes into Elphaba’s early days at Shiz University, her unlikely friendship with Glinda, and her eventual rebellion against the Wizard of Oz.
The second installment, slated for November 2025, is expected to cover the events of Act Two, including Elphaba’s faked death and ultimate escape from Oz. If the movie remains faithful to the Broadway show, audiences can anticipate a thrilling and emotional conclusion where Elphaba and Fiyero, transformed into the Scarecrow, leave Oz together.
Starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, the film aims to preserve the emotional depth and complexity of the musical while enhancing its visual spectacle.
Interested fans who want to watch the new movie can see it in theaters only for the time being.
