Shenshen

Shenshen is a student at Crage Hall, a college for young women at Shiz University. She belongs to a clique of wealthy, fashionable girls that includes Pfannee and Milla, and she is initially part of the social circle that Galinda (later Glinda) cultivates. Shenshen is characterized by her snobbery, her concern with social status, and her casual cruelty toward those she considers beneath her, particularly Elphaba.

Identity and Social Position

Shenshen is introduced as one of the "better girls" whom Galinda befriends early in her time at Crage Hall. She is described as being from a wealthy family, and her conversation is marked by gossip and superficial judgments. When discussing Elphaba, Shenshen speculates that her family might have been "exiled as criminals" or "speculators in rubies," revealing a mind that interprets the world through the lens of class and scandal. She is part of the group that laughs at Elphaba's poverty and green skin, and she participates in the social exclusion that makes Elphaba's first months at Shiz difficult.

Role in the Narrative

Shenshen's primary function in the story is to represent the shallow, privileged society that Elphaba rejects and that Glinda must learn to see beyond. She is present at key social events, such as the poetry soiree where Madame Morrible recites her controversial Quells, and she is part of the group that travels to Lake Chorge for a summer holiday. At Lake Chorge, Shenshen is involved in the cruel prank where Pfannee forges a letter from Galinda inviting Elphaba to visit, a scheme that humiliates both Elphaba and Galinda. Shenshen's laughter at the prank underscores her lack of empathy and her enjoyment of others' discomfort.

Relationships and Change

Shenshen's relationships are transactional and based on social advantage. She is a follower within the clique, deferring to the more assertive Pfannee. She shows no genuine warmth toward Galinda, and her friendship is contingent on Galinda's social standing. After the death of Doctor Dillamond and the subsequent changes in Glinda's character, Shenshen and her friends fade from the narrative, their relevance diminished as the story shifts to more serious political and personal concerns. Shenshen does not undergo any significant development; she remains a flat character, a representative of the frivolous and unreflective upper class that the novel critiques.

Thematic Significance

Shenshen embodies the theme of social cruelty and the power of exclusion. Her behavior illustrates how easily individuals can be marginalized and dehumanized by those who consider themselves superior. She also serves as a contrast to Glinda, who initially shares Shenshen's values but eventually grows beyond them, developing a conscience and a sense of justice. Shenshen's static nature highlights Glinda's transformation, making her a useful foil in the narrative's exploration of moral growth and the cost of conformity.