Shell Thropp

Infobox character
colour = green
name = Shell Thropp
first = "" (1995)
last = "Son of a Witch" (2005)
species = human
gender = male
age = about 15 during the time of "Wicked"
born = unknown
death = unknown
occupation = Emperor of Oz
title = Emperor Apostle
parents = Melena Thropp (mother)
Frexspar (father)
siblings = Nessarose (half- sister)
Elphaba (half- sister)
spouse = none
children = none
relatives = Eminent Thropp (great-grandfather)
Liir (nephew)
residence = Emerald City
creator = Gregory Maguire

Shell Thropp is a character in the fictional works "" and "Son of a Witch", both by Gregory Maguire. He is the youngest of three children, and hinted to be the only child conceived from the marriage of Frexspar and Melena Thropp. His two older half-sisters are Nessarose and Elphaba, future Witches of the East and West, respectively. He claims that he and his sisters "were never really close." Shell's maternal great-grandfather is the title of Eminent Thropp of Munchkinland, a title which passes to Nessarose after the man's death.

"Wicked"

Shell was born to Melena in the Quadling Country. She died in childbirth and thus, he never knew her. He is named in honor of the family friend (hinted also to be Nessarose's father) Turtle Heart. He was raised by Nanny and Frexspar, and was known for being a smart mouth and a trouble maker. He deals in espionage in the Emerald City when his sister Nessarose has Munchkinland secede from Oz. Since only girls inherit the title of Eminent Thropp unless there are no girls born in their generation of the family, Shell was never in line for the position. Despite Elphaba's claim that Shell could "stand in" for Nessarose should she be unable to fulfill her duties, he never assumes the title even after Nessa has died and Elphaba has refused to take her place. He helped to care for his father in his twilight years, and is described as being "stubborn as sin stains." In this respect, Frex claims that he resembles Elphaba.

Shell is never shown until the end of the story, and even then only briefly, Frex's bedside. The the reader only learns of his character through conversations with Elphaba, Frexspar and Nanny.

"Son of a Witch"

Shell's role increases greatly in "Son of a Witch". He assists his nephew Liir through Southstairs, a political prison, where he regularily has sexual encounters with the female inmates. Shell's espionage had advanced him through ranks in the military, and he eventually becomes the zealous antagonist of the story, the 'Emperor Apostle', ruler of Oz. He has dragons cultivated to assist the military and cause political unrest by killing travellers.

The Musical

Shell does not exist in the musical adaptation of "Wicked". Nessarose is born "with her little legs all tangled" and their mother never wakes up. Hence, Shell is not born.