The Wicked Die Alone, and So Do the Good: A Reflection on Society
The tragedy of being labeled “wicked” extends far beyond individual stories like Elphaba’s or Glinda’s—it reflects a systemic dynamic that perpetuates division, isolation, and disconnection. When a society deems someone “wicked,” it is not merely a judgment of their actions but a wholesale dismissal of their humanity. In this framework, individuals who challenge societal norms, question established power structures, or that embody uncomfortable truths are often seen as disruptive forces. And for those in power, even their presence becomes a perceived threat to the system’s stability, prompting rejection rather than reflection. As a result, they are cast out—not because of true wrongdoing, but because their defiance highlights the cracks in the system that others prefer to ignore, where their loneliness is not chosen, but enforced by a collective unwillingness to engage with difference or complexity. In this way, their exile becomes a calculated tool, one used to enforce conformity, silence dissent, and uphold the system’s tenuous stability. Yet, the deeper irony is that while the so-called wicked may live lonely lives, their isolation often exposes the dysfunction and fragility of the system that ostracized them in the first place, shining a light on the very flaws society seeks to suppress.
At the same time, those who remain firmly embedded within the system—the ones celebrated as “good” and upheld as examples of righteousness—suffer their own form of isolation, albeit in a more subtle and insidious way. This duality is exemplified in Glinda’s story, where her gilded loneliness reveals the heavy cost of complicity beneath the surface of her enviable role as a shining example of admiration and righteousness. Although outwardly basking in the adoration of the crowd, her inner reality is one of profound disconnection—both from herself and from those she claims to lead, where maintaining this outward adoration requires her to suppress her true self and conform entirely to societal expectations. In doing so, she takes on the role of a paragon of goodness, a position that demands perfection and that leaves no space for vulnerability or authenticity. So, her “goodness” is entirely performative, a façade carefully maintained to preserve her status and to secure her place within a flawed system.
In striving to embody the societal ideals she’s been handed, she sacrifices her authenticity, leaving her unable to form genuine connections with those around her. This disconnection doesn’t happen all at once but is the result of countless small compromises she makes to maintain the image expected of her, where with each decision to align with these ideals, she chips away at her sense of self, replacing her vulnerability and individuality with a carefully curated persona that satisfies the system’s demands. And although the crowd’s approval may offer temporary validation for her, it is a fleeting comfort, incapable of addressing the deeper void created by her estrangement from her own integrity. So, beneath the surface, her inner disconnection is a constant reminder of the parts of herself she has buried to maintain her role, where her loneliness, though concealed beneath the sheen of public adulation, is just as profound as Elphaba’s, taking on a quieter, more insidious form. This reveals a deeper truth about how societal systems function where even those who conform to societal expectations and achieve success within the system are not spared the consequences of its exclusionary and hypocritical structures. They too are trapped—isolated from others and, perhaps most tragically, from themselves, living lives that may appear enviable on the surface but are ultimately hollow and disconnected beneath, caught in a cycle that perpetuates the very loneliness and disconnection they seek to escape.
This painful cycle creates a dual isolation—of the wicked and the good—that reveals the inherent dysfunction of a society thriving on rigid labels and simplistic moral judgments. In this system, individuals labeled as wicked are stripped of their voice, their agency, and their place within the community, while those labeled as good are imprisoned by the expectations placed upon them. In both cases, individuals are denied the freedom to express their full humanity, forced instead into roles that sustain the system at the cost of personal authenticity and connection. And while the so-called wicked may die alone in physical solitude, ostracized and misunderstood, the good that have sacrificed their authenticity often die alone in spiritual and emotional isolation, surrounded by people yet profoundly disconnected, trapped in roles that demand outward perfection while leaving their inner selves unfulfilled and unseen. This shared loneliness is not an accidental byproduct but a direct consequence of a system that prioritizes conformity over authenticity, control over freedom, and superficial appearances over genuine human connection, leaving both the outcast and the conformist isolated in different yet equally profound ways, underscoring the emptiness at the heart of such systems, where true community is replaced by hollow constructs.
Breaking free from this cycle requires rethinking the very frameworks that uphold these dynamics, where the solution lies not in abandoning the labels of “good’ and “wicked” entirely but in recognizing their limitations and the harm they cause when wielded carelessly. To move beyond the false dichotomy of good and wicked, society must embrace nuance and complexity, acknowledging that people cannot be neatly categorized into moral absolutes. While such labels may offer the comfort and simplicity of maintaining the illusion of order and control, they also allow individuals to avoid confronting the deeper, more uncomfortable truths about themselves and the systems they uphold. This requires a willingness to question the systems and narratives that uphold these divisions and to challenge the structures that demand conformity at the expense of genuine integrity, authenticity, human connection, and understanding among people. It also requires individuals to take responsibility for their complicity in perpetuating these dynamics, as Glinda eventually does, by choosing integrity and courage over comfort and acceptance. Only then can society begin to approach what might be called true liberation—a liberation that shifts the focus from shallow judgments to deeper understanding, allowing people to be seen as multi-dimensional beings capable of growth, redemption, and transformation, where this shift is essential to dismantling the cycles of exclusion and disconnection that have defined these systems for so long.
Yet, even as we work toward liberation, we must recognize the toll these systems have already taken. The loneliness of both the wicked and the good reflects the deeper loneliness of a society that has lost touch with its own humanity. This disconnection permeates every layer of social interaction, fostering an environment where relationships are transactional rather than meaningful, and where vulnerability is often met with judgment rather than compassion. So, when individuals are reduced to roles—whether as outcasts or as exemplars—they are stripped of their individuality and forced into boxes that serve the system rather than themselves, where these roles, while outwardly reinforcing the system’s stability, ultimately undermine the capacity for authentic connection, leaving people isolated even in the midst of a crowd. The challenge, then, is not simply to dismantle the labels of good and wicked but to create a culture that values authenticity, connection, and understanding over superficial judgments and conformity. This requires a collective willingness to embrace discomfort, to listen deeply to one another, and to prioritize the humanity in others over the desire to maintain rigid social hierarchies. And it is only by rejecting the narratives that divide us can we begin to build a society where no one, whether deemed wicked or good, is left to die alone. This is the true path to collective liberation—a world where individuals are free to be fully themselves, where labels no longer dictate their worth, and where the humanity of all is recognized and honored as the foundation of a healthier, more connected society.
Afterthought
It’s important to note that this reflection on the labels of “good” and “wicked” is not an attempt to absolve those who actively cause malignant destruction and chaos within society. There is a stark difference between individuals who challenge societal norms or that refuse to conform out of authenticity and integrity, and those who operate from a place of true wickedness—perpetuating harm, division, and destruction through polarized ideologies. And while the former are often misunderstood and vilified by an unjust system, the latter deliberately sow discord and chaos, causing real damage to communities and societies. So, recognizing this distinction is essential to avoid falling into moral relativism, where harmful actions are excused under the guise of misunderstanding, as true wickedness exists, and it demands accountability, not misplaced sympathy.
This distinction becomes clearer when examining the nature of true wickedness, where true wickedness lies in the deliberate manipulation, control, and harm inflicted on others for personal or ideological gain. It manifests in the actions of those who weaponize fear, division, and power to advance their agendas or maintain dominance, often with little regard for the pain they cause. These individuals and groups fracture communities, distort truth, and perpetuate suffering, leaving a trail of destruction that cannot be ignored. Their actions are not born of a misunderstood sense of difference but from a conscious choice to exploit, dominate, or harm others. As such, they represent a genuine threat to societal harmony and justice. And to conflate their behavior with those who are merely misunderstood risks minimizing the impact of their destructive actions and misdirecting efforts to address the true sources of harm.
Against this backdrop, this essay is a reflection on the tragedy of misplaced labels—on those who are scapegoated not because they are destructive but because they challenge the status quo. It is not a commentary on the very real need to hold true wickedness accountable when it manifests as destructive ideologies or malicious actions. And within this context, individuals or groups who use polarized ideologies to incite harm and chaos must be confronted with clarity and resolve, and mislabeling people who simply live authentically or that question harmful systems as wicked only diverts attention from addressing the actual forces that perpetuate injustice and suffering in society. So, it is crucial to differentiate between the courageous nonconformity of those who challenge harmful systems and then the deliberate malice that comes from polarized ideological cults of destruction.
With this distinction in mind, the purpose here is to highlight how society often misdirects its judgments, vilifying individuals who bring light to its flaws while overlooking the true sources of destruction within its ranks. By focusing on the complexities of misplaced labels, we can better discern between those who are unfairly ostracized and those who genuinely seek to harm. This discernment is critical, as failing to distinguish between the two risks enabling the real perpetrators of harm to operate unchecked while silencing those who might bring about necessary change. And by fostering this clarity, society can begin to redirect its energy and resources toward addressing the root causes of harm, ensuring its efforts are aimed at confronting true wickedness rather than scapegoating those who merely challenge the status quo.
To achieve this, a just society must learn to see clearly, to balance accountability with compassion, and to recognize the humanity in those who challenge its systems while standing firm against those who seek to tear it apart. This requires a conscious and collective effort to reshape societal values, where building a culture that values authenticity, integrity, and genuine understanding does not mean tolerating destructive behaviors or ideologies. Instead, it means holding true wickedness accountable while creating space for those who are unfairly labeled to have their voices heard. And by rejecting the narratives that encourage misjudgment and division, we can foster a society where authenticity thrives, where justice is served, and where true liberation is achieved for all who seek to live in alignment with their values without causing harm.
