Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
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Research Article

The Transformation of Narrative Voice: Female Characterization in Adaptations of Wicked

Zhehao HuHunan University of Finance and Economics Xinyu LiHubei Minzu University* Yuan XuNanjing Normal University

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

Wicked has undergone a dual adaptation from novel to musical and then from musical to film, vividly demonstrating the influence of the creator's different narrative choices in different media on the shaping of character images and relationships. By studying the differences in narrative perspectives between Maguire's Wicked novel and Zhu Haowei's Wicked film in 2024, one can summarize the differences in the characters of the two female protagonists under different narrative perspectives, as well as the new understanding of female friendship in today's society. The film has adapted the zero-focus narrative of the original novel into an internal-focus narrative with Glinda as the narrator, giving Glinda's "blonde beauty" image a new interpretation space under the authority of the narrator, and also giving Elphaba’s revolutionary image more symbolic meaning. Under the new character image, the female friendship between Elphaba and Glinda, which is an "embellishment" of Elphaba’s life in the novel, becomes an indispensable soulmate in both of their lives, a hidden thread running through the entire film.

Keywords: Wicked; narrative voice; film adaptation
Published: October 23, 2025
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2025.KM28009
Volume: CHR Vol.89
pp. 131-138
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