Shell Thropp is character in the fictional works Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West and Son of a Witch, both by Gregory Maguire. He is the youngest, and hinted to be the only, child conceived from the marriage of Frexspar and Melena. His two older half-sisters are Nessarose and Elphaba, future Witches of the East and West, respectively. He claims they "were never really close."

Wicked (novel)

---

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. As he is male, he would never receive the title of Eminent Thropp, though this is debatable. He deals in espionage over in the Emerald City when his sister Nessarose has Munchkinland secede from Oz. He also helped to care for his father in his twilight years. He was described as being "stubborn as sin stains."

Shell is never shown until the end of the story. He cares for Frexspar after Nessarose's death, but 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 it is hinted he has sexual encounters with the inmates. Shell's espionage had advanced him through ranks in the military, evetually becoming the zealous antagonist of the story, the Emperor Apostle. He has dragons cultivated to assist the military and cause political unrest.

Wicked (musical)

---

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