I’m excited to continue our series focused on storytelling tricks and mechanics.  Last week was about world-building and culture.  This week is about the Wicked Witch and perspective.

Is the Wicked Witch evil?  It depends on what perspective the story is told from.  The Wizard of Oz is told from Dorothy’s perspective.  It’s about her finding friends, and the Wizard of Oz telling her she has to defeat the evil Wicked Witch of the West, so she can go home.  Wicked is told from the Wicked Witch’s perspective.  Before she was the Wicked Witch, she was Elphaba.  The story follows her growing up as an outcast and being a rising hero until the Great and Powerful Oz turns on her and brands her as the Wicked Witch.  (By the way, the Wicked move was amazing!) 

What does this have to do with anything?  I find it so fascinating how an entire story can change, just by altering your perspective.  I grew up on The Wizard of Oz, always just accepting Dorothy’s perspective.  Then, I saw Wicked for the first time, and suddenly I saw an entirely different side of the story.

Think of your own life.  How often does something similar play out for you?  Have you ever thought you understood a situation, and then had your opinion changed when presented with a different point of view?  I’ve learned over time that we all have our default perspective on things, and it’s our responsibility to stay open to other ways of viewing things.  I’ve also learned it takes a lot of strength to suspend your own beliefs and judgment to take the time to see the story though someone else’s eyes.

The challenge- How will you take on the perspective of others?

Have a jolly good day,

Andrew Embry