The Ultimate Revelation: 3 Versions Of Elphaba’s Fate—Does Dorothy Really Kill The Wicked Witch?

The question of whether Dorothy Gale kills Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, is one of the most enduring and fascinating mysteries in modern fantasy, and the answer is far more complex than a simple yes or no. As of late 2025, with the highly anticipated two-part film adaptation of Wicked on the horizon, the conversation about the true fate of the green-skinned witch is more current than ever. The truth hinges entirely on which version of the story you are following—the original children's book, the revisionist novel, or the blockbuster Broadway musical.

The definitive, up-to-date answer is that Dorothy unintentionally kills Elphaba in the source novel by Gregory Maguire, but in the widely popular Broadway musical, Elphaba fakes her death and escapes. This profound difference in the ending completely redefines the character arcs of both Elphaba and Glinda, transforming a simple villain’s defeat into a complex story of political exile and enduring friendship.

The Definitive Breakdown of Elphaba's Fate Across All Three Stories

To fully grasp the "killing" of Elphaba, we must first look at the three primary sources that tell the story of the Wicked Witch of the West, as each one presents a dramatically different conclusion to her life.

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1. The Musical: A Staged Death and Secret Escape (The Happy Ending)

The version most people are familiar with, the smash-hit Broadway musical Wicked by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, offers a redemptive and surprisingly happy ending for Elphaba Thropp. The confrontation with Dorothy Gale is a critical plot point, but the "melting" is a meticulously planned ruse.

• The Event: Dorothy throws a bucket of water on Elphaba, seemingly melting her into a puddle of green goo.
• The Reality: Elphaba, knowing of her profound weakness to water, stages her death. She uses a trap door and a hidden vial of green liquid to create the illusion of melting.
• Dorothy's Role: Dorothy is an unwitting participant, believing she has killed the Wicked Witch of the West. Her act is one of fear and self-defense, not malice.
• The Outcome: Elphaba escapes with Fiyero, who has been transformed into the Scarecrow, allowing them to leave Oz and live a life of freedom, secretly watching Glinda from afar. This ending serves the musical's theme of friendship and redemption, ensuring that Elphaba is not a true villain but a misunderstood political activist.

2. The Novel: An Unintentional, Tragic Killing (The Dark Ending)

Gregory Maguire's 1995 revisionist novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, is the dark, complex source material for the musical. In the novel, the narrative is much grittier, and Elphaba's final moments are far more tragic and definitive.

• The Event: Elphaba confronts Dorothy to retrieve her sister Nessarose's (The Wicked Witch of the East) Silver Shoes. During the confrontation, Elphaba accidentally sets her own dress on fire while waving her broom.
• The Reality: Dorothy, in a panic and attempting to save Elphaba from the flames, throws a bucket of water onto her. Because of Elphaba's extreme aquaphobia and physical reaction to water, she truly melts and dies.
• Dorothy's Role: Dorothy is directly responsible for Elphaba's death, but it is an act of accidental mercy, a misguided attempt to extinguish a fire that ends up extinguishing a life.
• The Outcome: Elphaba's death is real and final. The novel's ending is a dark, philosophical commentary on the nature of good and evil, fate, and the idea that even an act of kindness can lead to a devastating end.

The Core Difference: Intention vs. Illusion

The central conflict in answering "does Dorothy kill Elphaba" is the distinction between Intention and Illusion. In both the novel and the musical, Dorothy's intention is not to commit murder. In the novel, she intends to help, but her action leads to death. In the musical, she intends to stop the witch, but her action only facilitates Elphaba’s escape. This shift is the most crucial difference between the two works.

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The musical made this change—from real death to faked death—to create a more satisfying and hopeful conclusion for a modern audience. The musical’s message is about the power of friendship (between Elphaba and Glinda) and the importance of challenging authority, themes that are better served by Elphaba and Fiyero surviving and finding their own happy ending outside of the corrupt Land of Oz.

The Political and Philosophical Entities of Elphaba's Fate

Elphaba's "death," whether real or faked, is the culmination of several key philosophical and political entities explored throughout the story:

• Topical Authority: The concept of "Wickedness" is redefined. Elphaba is not inherently wicked but is made a villain by the propaganda of the Wizard and Madame Morrible. Her "death" is the final act of this political smear campaign.
• Fate vs. Free Will: Maguire's novel emphasizes fate, suggesting Elphaba was destined for a tragic end, regardless of her choices. The musical leans toward free will, allowing Elphaba to choose her own fate and escape.
• The Wizard's Propaganda: In both versions, the "death" solidifies the Wizard's narrative that the Wicked Witch has been defeated, distracting the citizens of Oz from his corrupt rule.
• The Role of Water: Water, a seemingly innocent element, acts as a deadly weapon, symbolizing the unpredictable and often arbitrary nature of Elphaba's persecution. Her intense aquaphobia is a literal and metaphorical barrier between her and the seemingly "pure" world of Oz.

The Current Update: What Will the Wicked Movie Show?

For fans wondering about the most current interpretation of Elphaba’s fate, all signs point to the upcoming two-part film adaptation, directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, adhering closely to the musical's plot.

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The films, Wicked: Part One (2024) and Wicked: For Good (2025), are adaptations of the Broadway show, not the novel. Therefore, the narrative structure, including the crucial ending, is expected to follow the beloved stage version.

• The Movie's Expected Ending: It is highly anticipated that Wicked: For Good will conclude with Elphaba staging her death and leaving Oz with Fiyero, who will be the Scarecrow.
• Topical Relevance: This choice reflects the filmmakers' desire to honor the global success and emotional resonance of the musical, ensuring that the powerful "For Good" farewell between Elphaba and Glinda leads to a secret, hopeful future for the green witch.

In summary, while Dorothy technically kills Elphaba in the original novel, the widely accepted and most current version of the story—the musical and the upcoming movie—presents a clever twist: Dorothy is merely the agent of a staged death, allowing Elphaba to finally achieve true freedom and live happily ever after with Fiyero, forever changing the legacy of the Wicked Witch of the West.