The Eminent Thropp

The Eminent Thropp is the hereditary title of the ruling family of Munchkinland, a position that passes through the female line and carries with it the family seat of Colwen Grounds and all attendant responsibilities. The title is a central node of political and familial power, shaping the lives of those who hold it and those who are expected to inherit it, and its history is intertwined with the broader political struggles of Oz.

Identity and Background

The Eminent Thropp is the head of the Thropp family, a highly regarded Munchkinlander lineage. The title descends through the female line unless there are no daughters, a fact that profoundly shapes the family's dynamics. Melena, the mother of Elphaba, Nessarose, and Shell, was the granddaughter of the Eminent Thropp and was expected to inherit the title herself. She hated the life of wealth and responsibility at Colwen Grounds, and she contrived to fall in love with Frex, a unionist minister, to escape it. She hoped to have only sons to keep them out of that place, as her older sister, who was born with overwrought nerves and possibly lacking in brains, was housed off-grounds but was old enough to breed and could have borne a daughter who would inherit the title. Melena's hopes were dashed when her sister died of the flu without issue, making Melena the heir. The Eminent Thropp, Melena's grandfather, made it all too clear that she would inherit the title, and he would have confirmed such a predisposition as a green-skinned child before agreeing to let his granddaughter marry a unionist minister.

Life and Plot Trajectory

The Eminent Thropp is a figure who appears primarily in the background of the narrative, but his influence is felt throughout. He is the great-grandfather of Elphaba and Nessarose, and his death triggers the transfer of the title. When Elphaba disappears and is presumed dead, the mantle of Eminence falls to Nessarose. Nessarose becomes the political head of the Free State of Munchkinland after orchestrating a secession from Oz. She is described as a tyrant by some, and her rule is marked by religious fervor and the use of magic. The title is abolished with Nessarose's death, when a house dropped by a tornado lands on her head. The Witch is told by a Munchkinlander named Nipp that her lineage no longer allows her any particular liberties in Munchkinland and that the honorific of Eminence is at last abolished.

Key Actions and Objectives

The primary action of the Eminent Thropp is to rule Munchkinland. Nessarose, as the Eminent Thropp, becomes the political head of state after the secession. She uses her position to impose her own restrictive interpretation of unionism, and she is known for her use of magic, such as enchanting an axe to harm a woodcutter. The title itself is a source of power and conflict. The Wizard of Oz seeks to know Elphaba's intentions about her position as the last Eminence, fearing she might reclaim the title and challenge his plans for reunification. Elphaba, however, has no interest in the position, stating that an inherited position is of no interest to her and that she has long ago abdicated her position in the family.

Relationships and Conflict

The Eminent Thropp is a source of conflict within the Thropp family. Melena hated the life of wealth and responsibility at Colwen Grounds and ran off with Frex to escape it. Frex, in his old age, tells Elphaba that she would make a smarter Eminence than Nessie and that it is her birthright, but Elphaba refuses. The title also creates conflict with the Wizard, who sees the Eminent Thropp as a potential rival. After Nessarose's death, the Wizard meets with Elphaba to ask about her intentions, and he has stationed an army at Red Windmill to keep her in check. The title is also a source of resentment among the Munchkinlanders, who paint slogans like "SHE WALKED ALL OVER us" on the belvedere at Colwen Grounds.

Change and Ending

The title of Eminent Thropp ends with the death of Nessarose. The Witch is told that the honorific is abolished, and the Munchkinlanders begin to destroy Colwen Grounds. The Wizard, however, remains wary of Elphaba, fearing she might reclaim the title. The abolition of the title marks the end of the Thropp family's formal political power in Munchkinland, though the family's legacy and the memory of the shoes continue to resonate.

Narrative Role and Evaluation

The Eminent Thropp serves as a symbol of inherited power and the burdens of family legacy. The title is a source of conflict and motivation for several characters, particularly Melena, who sought to escape it, and Nessarose, who embraced it. The title's abolition after Nessarose's death represents a break from the past and the possibility of a new political order in Munchkinland, though the future remains uncertain. The title also highlights the theme of female inheritance and the ways in which women are both empowered and constrained by their positions in a patriarchal society.