| “ | From a pile of ash shavings she withdrew a shoe, and then another. Were they silver? – or blue? – or now red? – lacquered with a candy shell brilliance of polish? It was hard to tell and it didn't matter; the effect was dazzling. | ” |
| — Elphaba thoughts to self[src] | ||
The Magic Slippers, also known as the Ruby Slippers, the Silver Shoes, or Jeweled Shoes, are a major plot point in the original story by L. Frank Baum, the Maguire novelization, the musical, and the film adaptations. They are originally possessed by Nessarose Thropp, later known as the Wicked Witch of the East, and enchanted by Glinda the Good (in the novel) or Elphaba (in the musical) in order to give the physically disabled Nessarose the ability to stand. Later they are given to Dorothy Gale by Glinda.
In the Novels[]
Wicked[]
The magic slippers are first introduced when Nessarose received a gift from her Father when she attends Shiz University. The shoes are created and designed in such a unique and authentic way, that nothing has ever been done nor seen before them. The shoes are the very first of its kind. So instead, they are described like this:
"From a pile of ash shavings she withdrew a shoe, and then another. Were they silver? – or blue? – or now red? – lacquered with a candy shell brilliance of polish? It was hard to tell and it didn't matter; the effect was dazzling." (2.3.4.20)
In Maguire's novel, the shoes are symbols of what Elphaba has secretly craved all her life: love, respect, acceptance, and family. Above all else, Nessa's shoes represent Elphaba's need to be accepted and considered important, particularly to her father, Frex.
In the Musical[]
The Jeweled Shoes were a gift to Nessarose by her father when she went to Shiz University. After she became the Governor of Munchkinland her sister, Elphaba, enchants them to give her the ability to walk and changing the colour from silver to ruby. Later, after Dorothy's house crushes Nessarose, Glinda gives the shoes to Dorothy.