Child’s Play

After the previous chapter’s geography lesson, the story takes a turn in the gossip direction. The Nanny and Melena have an argument over the socialization aspect of Elphaba’s life. Nanny thinks that Elphie, should start to play with other children. This could help her with learning to speak. Melena is afraid of others might think. She is afraid of exposing Elphaba to other kids, or maybe she is afraid of exposing other children to Elphaba. In the end Nanny wins the battle! They end up taking Elphaba over to the neighbour Gawnette’s house. (In the beginning of the third chapter, the author references her to the townspeople Frex is calling upon for help while he is talking back to the Clock) Gawnette refers to the rumours that have spread about the colour of the childs skin, but allows her to play with her children. In the end, the ladies have nothing to worry about. Elphaba plays nicely with the other children and the ladies only have to call out a few times about not to throw stones.