Ozma of Oz · Chapter
The Royal Family of Ev explained
Ozma and her companions learn the true story of the royal family of Ev, who were sold to the Nome King by the wicked King Evoldo.
What happens
Ozma and her companions learn the true story of the royal family of Ev, who were sold to the Nome King by the wicked King Evoldo. Despite the danger, they resolve to journey to the Nome King's underground palace to free the prisoners. The chapter also introduces the Cowardly Lion and Hungry Tiger, who join the expedition, and ends with the party setting out at daybreak.
Themes in this chapter
Courage and Adventure
The characters willingly face the dangerous journey to the Nome King's domain to rescue the enslaved royal family, demonstrating bravery despite personal risks.
Good Versus Evil
The party's mission to free the innocent prisoners contrasts with the Nome King's unjust enslavement and King Evoldo's wickedness.
Leadership and Responsibility
Ozma takes charge of the expedition, making decisions and rallying her followers, showing her sense of duty as ruler.
Characters to notice
- Tin Woodman
First to address the meeting, expresses willingness to face the furnaces despite the risk of melting.
- Ozma
Leads the discussion, learns the truth about King Evoldo's deal, and resolves to liberate the prisoners.
- Tik-Tok
Points out that the Nome King did no wrong, as the prisoners were sold by King Evoldo.
- Dorothy Gale
Insists on joining the adventure, holds Billina in the chariot, and learns about Ozma's past.
- Scarecrow
Agrees to go despite fear of fire, rides the Sawhorse, and shares stories of Oz.
- Princess Langwidere
Declines to join, preferring to stay and admire her heads, and provides background on King Evoldo.
- Cowardly Lion
Brings the Hungry Tiger and joins the expedition, harnessed to the chariot.
- Hungry Tiger
Accompanies the Cowardly Lion, jokes about his enormous appetite, and frightens the maid Nanda.
Key passages
“The Tin Woodman was the first to address the meeting. 'To begin with,' said he, 'word came to our noble and illustrous Ruler, Ozma of Oz, that the wife and ten children—five boys and five girls—of the former King of Ev, by name Evoldo, have been enslaved by the Nome King and are held prisoners in his underground palace.'”
The Tin Woodman opened the discussion by informing everyone that Ozma had learned that the former King of Ev's wife and ten children were enslaved by the Nome King.
Sets up the central conflict of the chapter.
“'They were sold to the Nome King by King Ev-ol-do,' replied Tiktok. 'It was the King of Ev who did wrong, and when he re-al-ized what he had done he jumped in-to the sea and drowned him-self.'”
Tiktok clarified that King Evoldo sold his family to the Nome King and then drowned himself out of guilt.
Reveals the moral complexity of the situation.
“'I can't bear heat,' remarked the Princess Langwidere, yawning lazily, 'so I shall stay at home. But I wish you may have success in your undertaking, for I am heartily tired of ruling this stupid kingdom, and I need more leisure in which to admire my beautiful heads.'”
Princess Langwidere declined to join the expedition, citing her dislike of heat and her desire for more time to admire her collection of heads.
Highlights her self-centered and lazy character.
