The Root of Evil

This chapter of the book starts with two characters;named Melena, and Frex. Melena is pregnant and Frex is a minister of a church. Throughout this chapter the couple are fighting over the baby and how life is going to pan out after it is born. There is also a hint that they think that the baby is going to be a male. Referring to the baby as, “Your son” (Maguire). Toward the end of the chapter, Frex leaves to help the community with a problem.



Asceticism: the doctrine that a person can attain a high spiritual and moral state by practicing self-denial, self-mortification, and the like.



Idolatry: the religious worship of idols.



Tirade: a prolonged outburst of bitter, outspoken denunciation: a tirade against smoking.

"Asceticism." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 03 Oct. 2011. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Asceticism>.

"Idolatry." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 03 Oct. 2011. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Idolatry>.

"Tirade." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 03 Oct. 2011. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Tirade>.

Educated Guess...

At this point it will be hard to make a prediction for the first chapter in this book, this is because the prologue does not give any clues as to how the journey begins. The prologue only shows what is happening at the mid-end section of the novel. So far the main character has been introduced. Some information or rather, gossip, has been shared. Her reputation has been outlined as well as a stereotype has been brought forward. The movie stereotype of the wicked Witch, a green foul monster, that is evil to the core has created a type of imagery for the reader so soon in the book, without having to mention anything about her personality or appearance. The Witch and her broom have established that the Witch is powerful and greedy, as well as secretive and watchful. She is also very involved and interested in what she is planning. The prologue indicates a sense of this interest just by ending this section with the lines; “No matter that the companions had hurried away. The Witch could wait. They would meet again.” (Maguire) This tells the reader that not only is she interested in these creatures on the yellow brick road, but they will meet again sometime in this novel.

Prologue

Throughout the prologue of the book, the Wicked Witch of the West, is hovering above the four main characters of the Wizard of Oz. As she descends on her broom, and is within earshot of them she begins to listen. As soon as the dialogue begins, there is a sense that this novel is intended for an older audience rather than family friendly such as the film. Dialogue including the references to hermaphrodites and referring her to a married man, (Maguire) the novel starts off as a pre-warning to readers that this novel will deal with similar subject matter. The prologue ends with the line; “No matter that the companions had hurried away. The Witch could wait. They would meet again.” (Maguire)

Here is a list of words that were used in this chapter. Knowing the definition of these words may help in the understanding of the section.

Impertinent: intrusive or presumptuous, as persons or their actions; insolently rude; uncivil: a brash, impertinent youth.

Insinuating: tending to instill doubts, distrust, etc.; suggestive: an insinuating letter.

Desiccated: dehydrated or powdered: desiccated coconut.

Works Cited:

"Desiccated." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 01 Oct. 2011. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Desiccated>.

"impertinent." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 01 Oct. 2011. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/impertinent>.

"Insinuating." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 01 Oct. 2011. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Insinuating>.

Maguire, Gregory. Wicked . New York City: HarperCollins Publishers, 1995. 406. Print. <http://books.google.com/books/feeds/volumes?q=wicked>.

Reading Schedule

The novel Wicked (Maguire) is 406 pages long, but in the copy that I have possession of has reader's group guide featuring fourteen question that I intend on answering after I read the novel. Also included in this book is an excerpt of the second novel in the series Son of a Witch ( Maguire.)

As for the layout of my blog; I think I am going to do in in this way. Before I begin reading a chapter, I am gong to make an educated guess based on the previous chapter as well as how the character is progressing throughout the novel. After I finish the chapter I am going to create a blog post summarizing the chapter and including any information I think that a reader would want to know. This includes references to historical facts and any other relevant information. I am also going to include a section of words that I do not understand. They will be defined, and from what I can tell you right now, there are going to be many of these.

Here is how I am going to divide the chapters:

1. Prologue pg. 1-4

Munchkinland

2. The Root of Evil pg. 6-10

3. The Clock of the Time Dragon pg. 11-14

4. The Birth of a Witch pg. 15-21

5. Maladies and Remedies pg. 22-31

6. The Qualding Glassblower pg. 32-37

7. Geographies of the Seen and the Unseen pg. 38-44

8. Child’s Play pg. 45-51

9. Darkness Abroad pg. 52-62

Gillikin

10. Galinda pg. 64-92

11. Boq pg. 93-129

12. The Charmed Circle pg. 130-178

City of Emeralds

13. City of Emeralds pg. 180-222

In the Vinkus

14. The Voyage Out pg. 224-243

15. The Jasper Gates of Kiamo Ko 244-286

16. Uprisings pg. 287-329

The Murder and Its Afterlife

17. The Murder and Its Afterlife pg. 332-406

I am looking forward to reading this novel and sharing the most important details with you. Stay tuned for the first blog of the book; 1. Prologue.

Book Cover

Here is a thumbnail of the cover of Wicked (Maguire) I just found a copy of it in my school's library. (Well not me, my friend.) Anyway, I am so excited because now I do not need to check the book out of library until I can go to the book store to buy the book. (I am planning on purchasing the book, as soon as possible.)

I think that the book is going to involve of the Wicked Witch of the West (it says so right on the cover) as well as her view of the land of Oz.