I keep in mind seeing the musical Depraved whereas ending my doctoral research. The expertise was so impactful that it led me to vary my dissertation subject to deal with the thought of perspective. In simply two and a half hours, the Depraved Witch of the West, a determine who epitomized evil in my childhood, was remodeled right into a reluctant hero.
Quick ahead 16 years, and I lately watched the brand new Depraved film, which as soon as once more made me replicate on the nuances of notion. Now not a doctoral scholar, I’m now a tenured, full professor and division head of a big program. Whereas many issues have modified over these years, my perspective has developed probably the most.
I now see the story of Depraved not solely as a story of deep emotional sisterhood between seemingly completely different younger girls but in addition via the lens of older characters. As I’ve matured, I draw parallels between Shiz/Land of Ouncesand college life/academia, viewing it with a extra seasoned perspective. Although some points have modified, a lot stays poignantly acquainted.
After seeing Depraved for the primary time, I used to be struck by the theme of notion, notably because it was manipulated via the usage of inexperienced glasses. Within the stage musical Depraved and the guide Wizard of Oz, when individuals entered the Emerald Metropolis, they have been required by the Nice and Highly effective Ouncesto put on these glasses, supposedly for his or her safety. In actuality, this requirement was a way to regulate notion, creating the phantasm that all the things was inexperienced, even town itself. This cleverly demonstrates how simply the Wizard manipulated the beliefs of the individuals of Oz, blurring the road between actuality and phantasm (Baum, 1944; Schwartz, 2003).
College Archetypes
As a pacesetter working with each newer and seasoned college, I see clear parallels between the characters in Depraved and the college in tutorial establishments. Galinda, Elphaba, and Fiyero all signify various kinds of college members that you just would possibly discover within the academy.
Galinda: Most school members begin out as Galinda. Galinda represents those that adjust to administrative directives in hopes of attaining their private ambitions. They usually exhibit blind obedience to authority, believing it’s the proper and anticipated factor to do. One of these obedience could also be seen by authority as commendable, however it may possibly have horrible penalties, particularly if leaders lack moral conviction themselves (Drummond-Smith, 2018).
Fiyero: Fiyero embodies those that care deeply however are not sure the place to direct their efforts, usually opting to “dance via life” and seem lazy to outsiders. These college members usually be part of a corporation with little route or understanding of what’s anticipated. They need to fulfill their tasks and contribute to the group, however not on the expense of what’s vital to them personally.
Elphaba: Elphaba symbolizes those that try to do what is true, solely to search out their efforts are generally unappreciated or misdirected. She enters the establishment with the identical hopes and needs to ‘do good’ as different college members, however slowly realizes the social improprieties occurring and desires to make a change. When she makes an attempt to result in this alteration, she discovers that the individuals she had trusted, just like the Wizard, are working for their very own energy somewhat than the nice of the individuals they’re supposed to assist. One of these college member experiences an identical journey, the place they start to see the establishment’s true nature and level out its inequalities and harms. Because of this, management could demonize them.
Classes from the Wizard
What struck me profoundly was how the management in Depraved, epitomized by the Wizard and Madame Morrible, displays a few of the troubling points of management in academia at the moment. There’s usually plenty of spectacle and distraction—what the fitting hand is doing—whereas the left hand goes unnoticed. Management narratives are spun to serve their pursuits, usually on the expense of their individuals, college, workers, and even college students. This manipulation turns into so pervasive that, very similar to the residents of Oz, we begin accepting these skewed narratives as fact.
The Wizard in The Wizard of Oz is a grasp manipulator who maintains his energy via deceit and the strategic use of worry. He creates a façade of benevolence whereas orchestrating a system that retains the residents of Ouncesbelow his management, usually by exploiting their fears and needs. Considered one of his most important manipulations is the enforcement of carrying inexperienced glasses within the Emerald Metropolis, creating the phantasm that all the things is inexperienced and affluent. This tactic symbolizes how he manipulates notion to keep up his authority. The Wizard’s capacity to spin narratives to swimsuit his agenda is met with various responses from the individuals of Oz. Some, like Galinda, comply and align with the Wizard’s directives to advance their very own ambitions, believing that their loyalty will likely be rewarded. Others, like Fiyero, stay apathetic, selecting to disregard the deeper points to keep away from battle. In distinction, people like Elphaba see via the Wizard’s deceptions and try and problem his authority, although they usually face extreme repercussions. This dynamic illustrates how the Wizard’s manipulation fosters a tradition the place self-interest and survival usually take priority over fact and integrity.
Eradicating the Inexperienced Glasses
College leaders can generally make use of techniques just like these of the Wizard to keep up management and hold college and workers in line. They could use strategic communication and narrative management to form perceptions and handle dissent. For example, they could emphasize optimistic achievements and downplay or obscure much less favorable points of their administration to create an phantasm of general success and stability. This selective transparency can manipulate college and workers into believing that the establishment is performing higher than it really is.
Moreover, college leaders would possibly leverage worry and uncertainty to suppress opposition. By fostering a tradition the place talking out towards administrative insurance policies or choices might lead to skilled repercussions, similar to stalled promotions or diminished funding, they will discourage college and workers from voicing dissent or difficult the established order.
Leaders may also make use of favoritism, rewarding those that align with their directives and imaginative and prescient with fascinating positions, alternatives, or sources. This was used masterfully in Depraved by Madama Morville and The Wizard. One of these tactic can create a divide amongst college and workers, encouraging compliance and loyalty from these searching for to advance their careers or safe advantages, whereas isolating and marginalizing those that are important or resistant.
Moreover, very similar to the inexperienced glasses within the Emerald Metropolis, college leaders would possibly implement insurance policies or create initiatives that give the looks of progress and inclusivity, with out addressing the underlying points. This superficial dedication to vary can placate considerations briefly, convincing college and workers that their pursuits are being thought of, whereas precise structural or cultural issues stay unaddressed.
In essence, by controlling the narrative, instilling worry of reprisal, rewarding compliance, and creating illusions of progress, college leaders can manipulate college and workers to align with their agenda and keep their maintain on energy. Depraved affords a wealthy tapestry of characters and management dynamics that resonate deeply with tutorial life. The musical’s portrayal of perspective, ambition, and manipulation supplies priceless insights into the complexities, falsehoods, and the tightening grip of management inside Oz. This reflective picture will be simply seen in management throughout the academy as effectively, and will function a dire warning to what can occur if too many college resolve that, “One thing has modified inside me…I’m via with taking part in by the foundations of another person’s recreation.” It’s time that we, fellow Ozzians and teachers, resolve to take off our inexperienced glasses and open our eyes to the significance of sustaining integrity and consciousness in our skilled roles.
Dr. Rebecca (Becky) Fredrickson has served in a number of capacities supporting training over the previous 30 years. This consists of serving the general public faculties as a classroom aide, instructor, chief, and in greater training as a college member and in differing management roles on the native, state and nationwide ranges. Her present analysis, service, and educating deal with making training accessible to underserved communities via a lens of important management concept.
References
Baum, L. F. (1944). The Wizard of Oz. Doubleday: New York.
Drummond-Smith, I. (2018). “Sure, sir”: Management and blind obedience in hierarchical organizations. https://www.emerald.com/perception/content material/doi/10.1108/ijes-04-2017-0016
Schwart, S. (2003). Depraved: A New Musical. Decca Broadway, New York.
