September 23, 2025 - 14:35
Nessarose from Wicked represents the sentimental perception of disability. She is intended to be a relatively pure, innocent character whose disability is pitied and viewed as a tragedy. In both the musical and movie musical, she is referred to as a “tragically beautiful girl.” While she does gain slightly more agency in the recent movie musical, Nessarose consistently serves to drive the plot for others, and her disability is always viewed as a curse about which her family feels guilt and shame.