I was thinking recently just how heavily Glinda’s actions impacted Nessa and ultimately lead to her demise. Glinda used Nessa’s disability to guilt Boq into asking Nessa to the dance. She saw her as a pitiful and vulnerable victim and sent Boq after her. This lead Nessa to become completely infatuated with Boq and believing he loved her. Even as Glinda grew warmer and became closer with Nessa she never revealed the truth. Nessa became so insecure that she evolved into the label of ‘Wicked Witch of the East’. Then, after Glinda discovers the truth of Elphaba and Fiyero, she uses Nessa as yet another tool to get revenge in suggesting a rumor about Nessa being in danger to lure Elphaba out of hiding. This of course indirectly leads to Nessa’s death. Throughout the musical Glinda only viewed her as a poor disabled girl that she took advantage of time and time again…ruining Nessa’s life. The treatment of Nessa is some of Glinda’s darkest moments.

I’ve read in a few areas that Madame Morrible had involuntarily killed Nessa through the creation of the cyclone. Is it implied somewhere that the house falling in Munchkin land would just cause Elphaba to go and check on Nessa? Or was the intent to kill her in order to lure Elphaba out of hiding? My interpretation from the musical was her intent was murder. Thoughts?