# The Royal Family of Ev explained — Ozma of Oz

> Chapter companion for Ozma of Oz by L. Frank Baum.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ozma_of_oz_se/chapters/ix-the-royal-family-of-ev
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ozma_of_oz_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ozma_of_oz_se/chapters