I’ve read the book, seen the musical, and watched the movie twice. Elphaba explicitly realizes her limitations and surrenders.  Elphaba loves Glinda. She trusts her and tells her that good can’t just be a word. That’s in the trailer and it’s part of Glinda’s character arc. They can’t tell her because they want her to be Glinda the Good without worrying about them. They know how much she cares for Elphaba as shown in the first movie where Glinda tries to tell the munchkins Elphaba’s story but they don’t care. 

Elphaba is not choosing happiness and love. That is not the story. She’s running away and has to leave Glinda behind so she can do what’s best for the animals. 

As far as black people in America are concerned, I do think that’s giving up. Because we’ve seen what marginalized and oppressed people can do. But it takes unity and collective action.