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Nessarose
Frexspar “Frex” the Godly is a devout but largely ineffective Unionist minister and the father of Elphaba, Nessarose, and Shell—though the novel suggests that he may not be Nessa’s biological father. Frex devotes his life to the worship of the Unnamed God—even placing it above his marriage to Melena—and the moral reform of Oz. He emphasizes a rejection of idolatry, such as in the form of the Clock of the Time Dragon, in his ministering. He views Elphaba’s green skin as a divine curse, his own personal form of punishment for his inability to steer his flock away from the pleasure faith, Tiktokism, and hedonism. He distances himself from Elphaba emotionally, all the while pouring affection on the armless Nessarose, whom he sees as saintly. After Turtle Heart’s death, Frex’s ministry takes him to rural Quadling Country, where Elphaba spends much of her childhood, absorbing his rigid moralism but rejecting his faith. His gift of sparkling shoes to Nessa during her time at Shiz becomes a lasting symbol of his favoritism. His devoutness masks insecurity and guilt, and Frex remains unable (or unwilling) to confront the harm he inflicts upon his children through both neglect and love. Ultimately, Frex’s influence is profound: Nessa inherits his extreme religiosity, Shell inherits his ambition, and Elphaba inherits a stubborn independence, born from withstanding his judgment.
Frex Quotes in Wicked
The Wicked quotes below are all either spoken by Frex or refer to Frex. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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1. The Root of Evil Quotes
“We stand at a crossroads. Idolatry looms. Traditional values in jeopardy. Truth under siege and virtue abandoned.”
He wasn’t talking to her so much as practicing his tirade against the coming spectacle of violence and magic. There was a side to Frex that verged on despair; unlike most men, he was able to channel it to benefit his life’s work.
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12. City of Emeralds Quotes
“I was a tool. My dear father used me [...] he used me as an object lesson. Looking as I did, even singing as I can—they trusted him partly as a response to the freakiness of me.”
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14. The Jasper Gates of Kiamo Ko Quotes
“You want to throw down your burden, throw it down at my feet, or across my shoulders. You want perhaps to weep a little, to say good-bye, and then to leave. And when you leave here you will walk right out of the world.”
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15. Uprisings Quotes
[...] Nanny began to attend to Liir’s needs more lovingly than she did the needs of Nor and Irji. Elphaba registered it with shame, for she also saw how willingly Liir responded to Nanny’s attention.
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“But Nessa now thinks she needs no one, to help her stand or help her govern. She listens less than ever. In some ways I think those shoes are dangerous.”
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Frex Quotes in Wicked
The Wicked quotes below are all either spoken by Frex or refer to Frex. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
1. The Root of Evil Quotes
“We stand at a crossroads. Idolatry looms. Traditional values in jeopardy. Truth under siege and virtue abandoned.”
He wasn’t talking to her so much as practicing his tirade against the coming spectacle of violence and magic. There was a side to Frex that verged on despair; unlike most men, he was able to channel it to benefit his life’s work.
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12. City of Emeralds Quotes
“I was a tool. My dear father used me [...] he used me as an object lesson. Looking as I did, even singing as I can—they trusted him partly as a response to the freakiness of me.”
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14. The Jasper Gates of Kiamo Ko Quotes
“You want to throw down your burden, throw it down at my feet, or across my shoulders. You want perhaps to weep a little, to say good-bye, and then to leave. And when you leave here you will walk right out of the world.”
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15. Uprisings Quotes
[...] Nanny began to attend to Liir’s needs more lovingly than she did the needs of Nor and Irji. Elphaba registered it with shame, for she also saw how willingly Liir responded to Nanny’s attention.
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“But Nessa now thinks she needs no one, to help her stand or help her govern. She listens less than ever. In some ways I think those shoes are dangerous.”
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