Why Elphaba and Glinda from “Wicked” Would Be in Slytherin House
Wicked has taken the fantasy fandom world by storm, and we can’t get enough of the two main characters, Elphaba and Glinda. Coming from two very different backgrounds, the witches did not initially think they would have much in common. But after attending Shiz University and facing trials and tribulations together, they were changed for good. Not all Slytherins are evil; this fact plays out in Elphaba and Glinda’s story. Elphaba and Glinda would be in Slytherin House, and that’s not a bad thing.
Despite her pink wardrobe and bubbly singing voice, Glinda arrives at Shiz University with a caring facade. Being seen as good is very important to her, so she ensures that this is her outward image despite her manipulative or condescending actions. Her popularity helps trick people into seeing what would otherwise be bad as good, and Glinda knows this. She is an opportunist, just like many Slytherins.
Elphaba, on the other hand, is seen as bad from the moment she shows her face at Shiz. The students refuse to stand by her, and they form their views before getting to know her. Her generous heart is misjudged because she does not fit into society’s box of being normal. When Glinda makes a grand gesture to un-green Elphaba, Elphaba calls her out for only caring what other people think. Elphaba is misunderstood, and so are many Slytherins.
When Madam Morrible takes on Elphaba for special sorcery lessons, Glinda’s jealousy gets the best of her. She makes fun of Elphaba in front of others and demands that Elphaba tell her how she does magic. Even with her whole class turned against her, Elphaba stays true to herself and gives sass right back. Taking jealous meanness to another level, Glinda gives Elphaba a black witch hat that she and her friends deem hideous. Elphaba accepts the hat, thinking it was given under friendly pretenses, and wears it to the dance that night. It is not until she arrives that she realizes that everyone is laughing at her expense and thinks she and her hat are weird. Instead of running away, she shows that she does not care what others think. This powerful scene is where we see a shift in Glinda’s character. She feels horrible for her actions and decides to stand by Elphaba’s side.
Now friends, Glinda shows Elphaba how to be popular and let others in, and Elphaba teaches Glinda how to stand up for what’s right. They lean on each other since both have never truly been seen by their peers, and they support each other through their successes, including a trip to see the Wizard in the Emerald City. They were so close to finding a place where they could belong until the Wizard and Madam Morrible revealed their true, evil intentions.
Rather than conform, Elphaba stays true to her values and beliefs – and in response, is wrongfully called a wicked witch. Knowing things can never go back to how they were, Glinda vulnerably accepts Madam Morrible’s false love and the role of being the good witch. In her song, “No One Mourns the Wicked,” Glinda is talking about herself just as much as she is talking about Elphaba. They were both “wicked” and flawed in their own ways.
From Harry Potter, we know that students come in all different shapes and sizes, just like the students and witches in Wicked. Elphaba and Glinda evolve throughout their story. They keep their core characteristics of being clever and intuitive – as many Slytherins are – while improving as people who discover what they want. Together, they are changed for good.
