The Poetry Soiree

Madame Morrible hosts a poetry soiree at Crage Hall, where she recites her own 'Quells,' a new verse form. The poems are propagandistic, ending with the line 'Animals should be seen and not heard.' Doctor Dillamond is furious, recognizing the poems as a direct attack on the Wizard's Banns on Animal Mobility. He storms out of the room. Elphaba, who has been listening, tries to discuss the poems' meaning with Galinda, but Galinda is mortified to be seen with her. A Munchkinlander boy named Boq recognizes Elphaba from their childhood in Rush Margins, but Elphaba is dismissive. The evening marks the beginning of Elphaba's political awakening and her public clash with Madame Morrible.