Keyword Guide · study-guide-general
This guide focuses on Elphaba’s first violent attempt to eliminate Madame Morrible in Wicked. It covers core context, thematic ties, and practical tools for class discussion, quizzes, and essays. Use this resource to ground your analysis in the text’s established power dynamics.
Elphaba’s first attempt to kill Madame Morrible stems from her growing rage at the headmistress’s manipulation and harm to marginalized groups in Oz. The attempt fails, but it marks a permanent shift in Elphaba’s identity from a skeptical student to a radicalized figure willing to use force. Jot down 2 specific text clues that build to this decision in your notes.
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Elphaba’s first attempt to kill Madame Morrible is a pivotal turning point in Wicked, signaling her rejection of Oz’s corrupt power structures. It follows a series of events where Madame Morrible uses her influence to perpetuate injustice against vulnerable communities. The attempt exposes the gap between Elphaba’s idealism and the brutal reality of effecting change in Oz.
Next step: Cross-reference this event with 2 earlier moments where Elphaba clashed with Madame Morrible to build a timeline of their conflict.
Action: Review your notes on Madame Morrible’s position and influence in Oz’s political and educational systems
Output: A 1-paragraph summary of her power base and prior abuses of authority
Action: Identify 3 specific triggers that push Elphaba from anger to violence, citing text-based context
Output: A bulleted list linking each trigger to the attempt’s timing and execution
Action: Connect the failed attempt to 2 core themes of Wicked, using concrete text examples
Output: A 2-column chart pairing themes with event-specific evidence
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Action: Review your reading notes for all interactions between Elphaba and Madame Morrible before the attempt, focusing on moments of conflict or manipulation
Output: A chronological list of 3-4 key events that build tension between the two characters
Action: For each key event, write 1 sentence explaining how it contributed to Elphaba’s decision to use violence
Output: A linked cause-and-effect chart connecting Madame Morrible’s actions to Elphaba’s attempt
Action: Match your cause-and-effect chart to 2 core themes of Wicked, writing 1 sentence per theme explaining the link
Output: A 2-paragraph analysis that ties the event to the book’s larger message
Teacher looks for: Clear grasp of the events leading to Elphaba’s attempt and Madame Morrible’s role as catalyst
How to meet it: Cite 2 specific, text-supported examples of Madame Morrible’s prior abuses to ground your analysis
Teacher looks for: Ability to connect the event to 2 or more core themes of Wicked
How to meet it: Explicitly link the attempt to themes like corruption, moral ambiguity, or resistance, with text-based reasoning
Teacher looks for: Recognition of the event’s role in Elphaba’s transition from idealist to radical resister
How to meet it: Compare Elphaba’s actions before and after the attempt to show measurable change in her worldview
Elphaba’s first attempt to kill Madame Morrible does not happen in isolation. It follows months of growing frustration with the headmistress’s willingness to sacrifice vulnerable groups for political power. Use this before class discussion to back up your claims about Elphaba’s motivation. List 3 specific injustices Madame Morrible enabled in your notes.
Before the attempt, Elphaba relied on debate and quiet resistance to challenge authority. Afterward, she abandons these methods, embracing a more radical approach to fighting injustice. This shift also deepens her isolation, as few characters are willing to align themselves with someone labeled a murderer. Write 2 sentences describing how this event changes how Elphaba interacts with others.
This event reinforces Wicked’s critique of institutional corruption. It shows that in Oz, those in power face no consequences for harming marginalized groups, pushing even idealistic characters to extreme measures. It also explores the moral gray area of using violence to fight injustice. Link this event to 1 real-world debate about resistance and justice in your essay draft.
When discussing this event in class, focus on causal links rather than moral judgment. Avoid labeling Elphaba as 'good' or 'wicked'; instead, frame her action as a response to specific, text-supported abuses. Prepare 2 open-ended questions to ask your peers about the event’s ethical implications.
On exams, avoid vague statements about the attempt. Instead, ground your answers in specific context, such as Madame Morrible’s prior actions or Elphaba’s failed non-violent resistance. Use the self-test questions in the exam kit to quiz yourself 24 hours before your test. Create a 1-page cheat sheet of key triggers and thematic ties for last-minute review.
Use the thesis templates and outline skeletons in the essay kit to speed up your drafting process. Make sure every body paragraph includes a text-supported example that ties back to your thesis. Swap drafts with a peer to get feedback on whether your analysis of the event’s significance is clear and well-supported.
Elphaba tries to kill Madame Morrible in response to the headmistress’s repeated manipulation of power to harm marginalized groups in Oz. The attempt follows a series of failed non-violent efforts to stop Madame Morrible’s corruption.
The attempt fails, and Elphaba’s reputation as a dangerous, 'wicked' figure is solidified in Oz. She becomes more isolated and shifts to a more radical approach to fighting injustice, abandoning her prior attempts at non-violent resistance.
The book frames the attempt as ethically ambiguous, tying it to Madame Morrible’s systemic abuse of power but also questioning whether violence is a valid response to injustice. Your analysis should reflect this gray area, using text-supported examples to back up your claim.
The event shows that actions labeled 'wicked' in Oz’s dominant narrative often stem from a desire to fight injustice. It challenges the idea of absolute good and evil, framing Elphaba’s choice as a desperate response to a corrupt system that offers no other avenues for change.
Editorial note: This page is independently written for educational support. Verify specifics with assigned class materials and the original text.
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