Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for 2024's Wicked.The first part of Jon M. Chu's film adaptation of the musical 2024's Wicked movie introduces Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) as a misunderstood young woman discriminated against by almost everyone because of her green skin. Wicked focuses on Elphaba's relationship with Glinda (Ariana Grande), which affects how both witches view themselves and their place in Oz.

All in all, Elphaba's character arc is one of the most compelling parts of Wicked, as it makes the film an empowering story of self-acceptance in the face of oppression. Elphaba even expresses a wish and presumably spends most of the film hoping to change her skin color; but by the end of Wicked, she realizes this isn't what she wants. Though she wouldn't have been able to achieve this goal anyway, her growth as a character makes this hard truth far from disappointing.

Elphaba Learns To Embrace Her Green Skin In Wicked

Elphaba's Arc In Wicked Is A Journey Of Self-Acceptance

When Elphaba is itted to Shiz University, she hopes to master her magic abilities and prove herself worthy enough to meet the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). In one of Wicked's musical numbers, "The Wizard and I," Elphaba expresses her belief that the Wizard will appreciate her talents and accept her regardless of her green skin. However, she also believes that with his powers, the Wizard could change her skin color so she will be accepted by everyone else.

However, Elphaba's desires change after she gains new friends at Shiz, particularly Galinda, who changes her name to Glinda, and Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey). Having been accepted by her new peers, Elphaba gains a sense of belonging and learns to be comfortable in her own skin. For this reason, when Elphaba finally meets the Wizard in the Emerald City, she proudly claims that she doesn't want to change her skin color, having discovered that she wants something more.

Elphaba Wants To Help Animals More Than Herself

Elphaba Chooses To Fight For Animal Rights Than Submit To The Wizard

A significant issue that Elphaba becomes involved with in Wicked is how the talking animals of Oz are facing discrimination from humans, resulting in them gradually losing the ability to speak. It is implied that the human population blames the animals for the Great Drought that nearly destroyed Oz long ago. Elphaba sympathizes with the animals in Wicked, including her talking goat teacher, Dr. Dillamond (Peter Dinklage), as she, too, has been the target of prejudice for the way she was born.

When Dr. Dillamond is fired from Shiz University, Elphaba is one of the few people at the school willing to speak out against this injustice. She even helps free the young Cowardly Lion from captivity and returns him to the wilderness. Due to her experiences fighting for the animals of Oz, Elphaba realizes that she can't conform to her oppressive society by changing her green skin, instead embracing her differences from everyone else.

Elphaba Figures Out The Wizard Can't Grant Her Wish Anyway

Though Elphaba Doesn't Get Her Wish, She Learns She Doesn't Need It

Although Elphaba realizes she's fine with her skin the way it is, she also realizes that the Wizard couldn't change it anyway. As expected, the film's version of Oz is a con artist who doesn't have any magic powers. In fact, the only reason Oz invited Elphaba to the Emerald City was so she could harness the magic power of the Grimmerie spellbook for him.

Learning that the Wizard has used the animals as scapegoats to control Oz, reinforces Elphaba's decision that she can't change who she is or the way she looks.

Learning that the Wizard has used the animals as scapegoats to control Oz, reinforces Elphaba's decision that she can't change who she is or the way she looks. Refusing to let the world hold her down, Elphaba takes flight with her magic, embracing the title of "The Wicked Witch" placed on her by Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh). While Morrible says her green is a manifestation of her "wickedness," Elphaba leaves the Emerald City, finally proud of who she is and taking a stand against the Wizard's lies.

Elphaba's journey in 2024's Wicked makes for a strong, inspiring introduction to her character. The people of Oz brand her a menace by the end of the film, but the story shows her learning to love and accept herself and her green skin, all while fighting for the animals who raised and ed her throughout her life. Whether she will achieve the freedom and happiness she deserves will be seen in Wicked: Part II.