Language and Communication Quotes in Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Volume.Chapter.Paragraph) and (Volume.Chapter.Section.Paragraph)

Quote #1

The words were archaic, even ridiculous, but they worked.... Before he had even begun, they all looked guilty as sin. (1.3.1)

Words have power if they're deployed the right way.

Quote #2

The dwarf gave a poetic welcome. "All our lives are activity without meaning; we burrow ratlike into life and we squirm ratlike through it and ratlike we are flung into our graves at the end. Now and then, why shouldn't we hear a voice of prophecy, or see a miracle play? (1.3.13)

If this were a debate, the dwarf would totally kick Frex's butt. We like the imagery the dwarf uses here, with references to rats and graves. These words have very negative connotations, which makes his ending reference to a "miracle play" all the more powerful (Oratory 101).

Quote #3

"Traveler not to know where he is," said the man. "Two nights to cross the hills from Downhill Cornings. To look for the inn at Three Dead Trees. To rest."

"You're lost, you've veered," said Melena, deciding not to be perplexed at his scrambled words. (1.5.20-21)

Turtle Heart's syntax, or word order, is really interesting – he seems to favor the infinitive for verbs ("to" plus verb). He could give Yoda a run for his money.