“’And you?’ said Boq, turning to Elphaba. ‘Who are you?’
‘I’m leaving,’ she said. ‘Fresh dreams, all.’
‘No, don’t leave,’ said Boq. ‘I think I know you.’
‘You don’t know me,’ said Elphaba, pausing as she turned. ‘However could you know me?’
‘You’re Miss Elphie, aren’t you?’
‘Miss Elphie!’ cried Galinda gaily. ‘How delightful!’
‘How do you know who I am?’ said Elphaba. ‘Master Boq from Munchkinland? I don’t know you.’
‘You and I played together when you were tiny,’ said Boq. ‘My father was the mayor of the village you were born in. I think. You were born in Rush Margins, in Wend Hardings, weren’t you? You’re the daughter of the unionist minister, I forget his name.’
‘Frex,’ said Elphaba. Her eyes looked slanted and wary.
‘Frexspar the Godly!’ said Boq. ‘That’s right. You know they still talk about him, and your mama, and the night the Clock of the Time Dragon came to Rush Margins. I was tow or three years old and they took me to see it, but I don’t remember that. I do remember that you were in a play set with me when I was still in short pants. Do you remember Gawnette? She was the woman who minded us. And Bfee? He is my dad. Do you remember Rush Margins?’
‘This is all smoke and guesswork,’ said Elphaba. ‘How can I contradict? Let me tell you about what happened in your life before you can remember it. You were born a frog.’ (This was unkind, as Boq did have an amphibious look about him.) ‘You got sacrificed to the Clock of the Time Dragon and were turned into a boy. But on your marriage night when your wife opens her legs you’ll turn back into a tadpole and---‘
‘Miss Elphaba!’ cried Galinda, flicking open her fan to wave the flush of shame from her face. ‘Your tongue!’
‘Oh well, I have no childhood,’ said Elphaba. ‘So you can say what you like. I grew up in Quadling country with the marsh people. I squelch when I walk. You don’t want to talk to me. Talk to Miss Galinda, she’s much better in parlors than I am. I have to go now.’ Elphaba nodded a good night salute and escaped, almost at a run.” (86)

At this point in the story Elphaba and Galinda were at a poetry reading and Galinda had become embarrassed by Elphaba sitting next to her and talking to her. And afterwards this guy named Boq came over and started talking to them. He recognized Elphaba from when she was a kid and for some reason it offended her. I honestly have no idea as to why she would be offended but she was very rude to him because of it. I picked this quote because it kind of shows that Elphaba is a bit unrefined and seems to be ashamed of where she came from. I think that a lot of people can relate to being embarrassed by their parents at some point in their life but not to this extent. I understand that she didn’t have the best relationship with her parents but to be ashamed of where she came from would just make their relationship a lot worse. It’s probably another main contributor as to why she ends up as the ‘Wicked Witch of the West.” I can’t wait to see if she runs in to Boq again later in the book just because of what she might do to him.