Wicked lyrics help, and Legally Blonde too

[dshnookie]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 7:41pm

In "Defying Gravity", Elphaba sings "Too long I've been afraid of losing love I guess I've lost, well if that's love it comes at much too high a cost. I'd sooner buy defying gravity." What love is she exactly referring to here, Fiyero? her love for the Wizard? .. something else?

And, in "Legally Blonde" when Emmett and Elle are singing on opposite ends of the door,
Emmett: If you can hear, can I just say how much I want you to stay.
Elle: It's not up to me just let me be, legally blonde.
Emmett: I need you to stay.
Elle: It's not up to me just let me be, legally blonde.

Can Elle hear Emmett at this point and she's singing as a response, and he can either hear her or maybe she can hear him but he cant hear her. I'd appreciate anyone's interpretation of this.

In both cases, it's perhaps very obvious but sadly I'm missing it.

[EugLoven]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 7:48pm

I'm offering help before the snide remarks come in:

Wicked: In "Defying Gravity" I think Elphaba is referring to the wider definition of love. In this case, general acceptance. Elphaba never completely felt loved from her father. Love of her fellow-students. And had never truly been satisfied by Fiyero's lingering affection. Too long she had fought for some kind of cherished and long-lasting moments. Putting her heart on her sleeve hurt her too much. At this point, she has decided it's easier to rebel and not give a damn. It's easier to close off her heart than to leave it open for someone else to hurt. The irony, I feel, is in making this choice, she also makes herself even that much more vulnerable.

Legally Blonde: The easy answer if yes, Emmett can hear her. Yes, Elle can hear him. If neither of them can hear each other, then so be it. The song is so one-dimensional and leads right into the remix, it doesn't really matter, does it?
Updated On: 10/21/07 at 07:48 PM

[antiandrewx]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 7:54pm

I think Elle can hear Emmett. Of course I'm not 100%, but LBB facial expressions led me to believe that she was responding to what Emmett was saying and not just... saying it.

[Pascal/Menzel/Bundy]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 8:09pm

The Wicked thing I've never thought about so I don't really know, but EugLoven's expanation seems pretty dead on.

And for LB:
I have always wondered that too! I'm glad someone shares my thoughts. I've come to my own conclusion that Elle hears Emmett, but Emmett doesn't hear Elle. Otherwise, if they both hear each other, what's the point of having her go in the door? And if one is hearing the other, I'd think it ws Elle since she's responding and what Emmett is saying makes sense if he in fact isn't hearing Elle. I could be wrong, but for my own sanity I've come up with that explanation.

Updated On: 10/21/07 at 08:09 PM

[dshnookie]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 8:15pm

Thanks EugLoven.

The reason I asked about LB is because she came to Harvard for a man, for her to STAY at Harvard for another man - despite the feelings she may have - wouldn't fit with the underlying theme of discovering and learning to love oneself (at least how I saw it)- but I just thought that if Emmett could hear her then it would seem as if Elle was turning him down in a way. I agree it doesn't matter, and it's important that Vivienne convinces her to stay for herself, and not for any other reason. But again, I was just curious. I just wasn't sure if it was one of those scenarios in which two characters are speaking, or in this case, singing independently - with the assumption no one else can hear - but the dialogue overlaps and compliments the other person. Not that I've seen this in a Broadway show, but in movies, TV etc.

[dshnookie]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 8:17pm

I agree with you P/M/B. I also think Elle can hear, but Emmett cant. =)

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 8:19pm

I think that if Elle can hear him it's awkward, because she doesn't respond at all. But from their subsequent interaction (his saying "Did you really think that I'd let you get away?") I think that she did hear him. And if she can hear him, I don't know why he wouldn't be able to hear her.

It's another one of my issues with the show, to be honest.

Posted: 10/21/07 at 8:23pm

I have to say that whether Emmett can hear Elle from the opposite side of a door has to be the very least of Legally Blonde's issues.

[bkonbroadway]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 10:43pm

I'm going to disagree here and say that they can't hear each other. I think this because he starts out by saying "What about love? I never mentioned love." It's a much stronger and more heart-wrenching choice if she can't hear. He's regretting what he could never say to her face. She obviously still decides to leave until Vivian tears it up in the salon. I think if she heard him she would have maybe at least thought about staying for a sec. Why would she leave despite new found love, but then stay due to Vivian's new found respect for her?
I can't believe I just dissected "Legally Blonde!" Don't tell my friends. haha

[kate2]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 11:25pm

I agree with bkonbroadway. It makes sense to me that they don't hear eachother simply based on the "What about love?" line. bk said everything I was going to!

[Grand Motel]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 9:45am

If I hadn't seen this thread for myself, I never would have believed it existed!

[Misha77]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 5:16pm

I am actually going to bump this thread (while ducking the objects I am sure I will soon be hit over the head with) to add my opinion.

I personally think that when Emmett sings his "What about love?" bit, it's meant to be a soliloquy of sorts. If you notice, he walks further downstage and gazes out into the audience as he sings, which is one of the ways actors communicate their inner monologues.
I think that at this point Emmett realizes how much he really does care for Elle. His solo, then, is more what he's thinking in his head than openly voiced.
If you'll notice, it isn't until Emmett finishes singing "...I'm so much in love!" and rushes back to the door that the platform swings around to reveal Elle. It is this action that symbolizes the end of Emmett's inner monologue. Which explains why later in the song Emmett and Elle really do seem to hear each other.

Just my two cents.
I'm going to walk away now, before people start mobbing me. :P.