Privilege & Apathy

Ensemble Members Dancing Around a Statue that Glinda and Fiyero are Standing On

Life is fraught less when you’re thoughtless. Those who don’t try never look foolish.

Fiyero
Student Elphaba Singing

Is this really how you go through life,
nearly knocking people over
and not even noticing them?

Elphaba

Privilege:
1: a right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor

Apathy:
2: lack of feeling, emotion, interest, or concern

Recall three characters or moments in WICKED that display examples of “Privilege & Apathy.” What about these characters or moments exemplifies “Privilege & Apathy” to you?

Identify a moment in your life where you encountered an example of “Privilege & Apathy.” What thoughts or feelings did this instance bring up for you? How do you feel when you reflect back on this moment now?

When have you encountered instances of “Privilege & Apathy” in your community? What impact does “Privilege & Apathy” have on your community? List three ways you can transform “Privilege & Apathy” into change for good when you encounter “Privilege & Apathy” in your community, home, or personal life.

WICKED’s national partner Broadway Green Alliance has educational resources that tackle “Privilege & Apathy” and climate neutrality. Visit their site to learn how to be greener and take care of our world! 

Understanding Race and Privilege” from the National Association of School Psychologists, The Policy Circle, Media Smarts, and Learning for Justice have resources and tools for learning more about “Privilege & Apathy.”

We encourage you to visit these sites and explore!

“I see ‘Privilege & Apathy’ in WICKED very distinctly in Fiyero’s song, Dancing Through Life. The lyrics are very exemplary of apathy, stating, ‘Life is fraught less when you’re thoughtless. Those who don’t try never look foolish.’ He’s singing about how there’s less to worry or stress about when we’re apathetic, however I believe we see a major shift in his character throughout the show — stepping out of apathy and into active love and compassion by the end.”

– Alicia Newcom, WICKED Company Member

Fiyero Hanging Off a Statue