Once upon a time, in a mystical land filled with enchantment and mystery, there lived a wicked witch named Elphaba. Known for her green skin and powerful abilities, Elphaba ruled over the dark corners of the realm with an iron fist. Among her most loyal companions were her flying monkeys. These mischievous creatures with wings were not only her faithful servants, but also her eyes and ears as they soared across the sky, ensuring that no secret escaped their grasp. With their keen senses and unmatched agility, they were the perfect guardians of the wicked witch. Together, Elphaba and her flying monkeys formed an unstoppable force that struck fear into the hearts of all who dared to oppose them.
These prints are made on canvas with archival inks and varnished with a UV resistant finish. They are gallery-wrap style — stretched over 1 1/2″ deep stretcher bars and are shipped ready-to-hang. The canvas sides are printed in black, creating a natural self-framing effect, so you don’t have to purchase an additional frame if you don’t want to. The entire piece is also painted with a UV varnish and then heat set for maximum protection and longevity. They are truly beautiful pieces and it is often difficult to tell them apart from the originals. The open edition canvases are on deep gallery wrapped boards. The Open Editions are set to a specific size format and there may be some slight cropping around the edges from the original artwork.
Each piece must be printed after they are ordered, varnished with a protective coating, hand embellished by the artists, stretched and packed for shipment. The canvas sides are printed in black, creating a natural self-framing effect, so you don t have to purchase an additional frame if you don t want to.
Together, Elphaba and her flying monkeys formed an unstoppable force that struck fear into the hearts of all who dared to oppose them. With each wicked plan and every sinister scheme, they tightened their grip on the land, leaving a trail of chaos and despair in their wake. The flying monkeys were more than just creatures bound to the witch's will, they had a deep bond with Elphaba.
What are flying monkeys and how to deal with them
The term "flying monkeys" comes from the classic film The Wizard of Oz. The wicked witch enlisted these creatures to do her bidding. They followed her instructions regardless of their evil intent.
Interestingly, when she died, the monkeys celebrated. It seemed they weren't inherently evil themselves, but followed her out of fear and conditioning.
In psychology, the term has come to describe people who do a narcissist's bidding. If you've ever set boundaries with a narcissist, it will be a flying monkey who approaches you to smooth things over.
By smooth over, I mean gaslight, trick, guilt trip, and manipulate. I've been on the receiving end of flying monkeys in both in-law and family of origin relationships.
Dysfunctional families tend to cater to the most toxic person in the bunch. Much like the wicked witch in The Wizard of Oz. The other family members do everything in their power to keep the toxic person happy.
My story
I set boundaries with my mother for the first time as a young woman. Soon after, I received a call from her sister, not to encourage, support, or understand me. No, she had been sent by my mother to cajole, guilt, and blame me for being out of contact.
Later, I married into a dysfunctional family who also enabled a scarily toxic matriarch. Again, when I set boundaries with my monster-in-law, her husband got sent to get me back on board with the family system.
These flying monkeys can come across as sweet and well-intentioned. But their sole aim is to get you into line at the expense of yourself. Like the monkey army in the film, they enlist to fight the witch's battles.
Flying monkeys never have your best interests in mind. And they will damage you if you let them. They will erase all the hard work you put into setting boundaries and telling the truth.
How do narcissists get flying monkeys?
Not always through fear mongering or aggression. Some will manipulate to get sympathy so their supporters feel compelled to help them.
For example, my father-in-law played the role of enabler in their family. He probably felt it his job to rescue his wife. As a result, he believed her when she turned the tables and made me into the aggressor.
All the while the narcissist/toxic person is sitting back and watching someone else do their dirty work. They enjoy the feeling of being above the person they are persecuting. And gaslighting them into believing they are the toxic one.
Flying monkeys lack empathy, integrity, have weak wills, and only want to keep things the way they are. They may seek to avoid the wrath of the narcissist/toxic person. Or they want to appear as a fixer and enjoy the attention.
Whatever the reason, beware! You thought dealing with the narcissist was bad enough. Now you've got to fend off her flunkies off, too.
In psychology, the term has come to describe people who do a narcissist's bidding. If you've ever set boundaries with a narcissist, it will be a flying monkey who approaches you to smooth things over.
Forged through years of loyalty and shared experiences, they understood her every command without the need for words. Their unity made them a formidable force, capable of carrying out any task, no matter how nefarious. However, despite their loyalty and unwavering dedication, the flying monkeys longed for freedom. They yearned to soar through the skies without the weight of the witch's desires on their shoulders. But escape seemed impossible, for Elphaba's magical powers ensured their obedience. One day, a brave and kind-hearted traveler named Dorothy arrived in the land of the wicked witch. Accompanied by her friends, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion, Dorothy embarked on a perilous journey to reach the Emerald City and confront Elphaba. During the final showdown, Dorothy manages to defeat Elphaba with a cunning plan and the untapped power of friendship. As the wicked witch's powers faltered, so too did the magic that bound the flying monkeys. With the witch's demise, a sense of freedom fills their hearts, and they take to the skies, leaving behind the dark shadow of their former mistress. From that day forward, the flying monkeys found solace in the freedom of flight. No longer trapped in servitude, they explored the world, discovering new lands and experiencing the joys of an untethered existence. The tale of the wicked witch and the flying monkeys serves as a reminder that even in the face of darkness and oppression, freedom and hope can prevail. It is a testament to the power of friendship and the resilience of the human spirit. And, of course, it is a tale that will continue to be passed down through generations, enchanting young and old alike with its message of bravery and redemption..
Reviews for "The Wicked Witch and Flying Monkey: Lessons in Resilience"
1. John - 1 star
I found "Wicked witch and flying monkey" to be a complete disappointment. The storyline was weak and lacked depth, leaving me feeling unfulfilled and bored throughout the entire performance. The characters were one-dimensional and the acting was subpar. Even the special effects failed to impress and were often awkwardly executed. Overall, I would not recommend wasting your time and money on this production.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
"Wicked witch and flying monkey" had potential, but ultimately fell flat for me. The concept was unique, but the execution was lacking. The musical numbers felt forced and disconnected from the story, making it difficult to stay engaged. Additionally, the pacing was off, with some scenes dragging on and others feeling rushed. The set design was underwhelming and failed to transport me to the magical world that the show attempted to create. Overall, while there were some enjoyable moments, I would not consider this a must-see production.
3. Michael - 2 stars
I was excited to see "Wicked witch and flying monkey" based on the positive reviews I had heard, but I was left disappointed. The plot was confusing and lacked cohesiveness, making it difficult to follow and connect with the characters. The dialogue was often cheesy and lacked depth, making it hard to take the story seriously. Additionally, the actors seemed to lack chemistry with each other, resulting in awkward and unconvincing performances. While the costumes and set design were visually appealing, they were not enough to salvage the overall underwhelming production.
4. Emily - 1 star
If you're looking for a captivating and well-executed musical, "Wicked witch and flying monkey" is not it. The storyline was cliché and predictable, offering no surprises or compelling twists. The musical numbers felt forced and failed to showcase the vocal talents of the cast. The pacing was slow and bogged down by unnecessary and repetitive scenes. Overall, I found this production to be uninspiring and would not recommend it to anyone seeking an engaging theatrical experience.