The Road to Oz · Chapter
The City of Beasts explained
The travelers enjoy a picnic lunch, then continue their journey and encounter the city of Dunkiton, inhabited by donkeys.
What happens
The travelers enjoy a picnic lunch, then continue their journey and encounter the city of Dunkiton, inhabited by donkeys. The donkeys initially make a terrible noise by kicking metal sheets to scare away foxes, but the Shaggy Man uses his switch to stop them. After explaining that Button-Bright is not a real fox, the donkeys become polite and agree to lead the group to their ruler, King Kik-a-bray.
Themes in this chapter
Hospitality and Generosity
The travelers share a picnic lunch, and the donkeys eventually offer to lead them to their king, showing a shift from hostility to hospitality.
Identity and Transformation
Button-Bright's fox head causes confusion, and the donkeys' self-perception as 'clever' contrasts with their appearance, highlighting themes of mistaken identity.
Characters to notice
- Dorothy
Shares a picnic lunch, explains the Scarecrow and Tin Woodman to the group, and shows curiosity about the donkey city.
- Shaggy Man
Carries the Love Magnet, cuts switches to control the donkeys, and uses big words to gain their respect.
- Button-Bright
Wears a fox head, eats turkey during lunch, and is mistaken for a fox by the donkeys.
- Polychrome
Dances ahead of the group, tries solid food for the first time, and reports the city ahead.
Key passages
“Haven't you any dewdrops, or mist-cakes, or cloudbuns?”
Polychrome asks if the travelers have any ethereal, rainbow-like food.
Polychrome's question highlights her otherworldly nature and unfamiliarity with earthly food.
“The word 'donkey' means 'clever,' you know.”
A grey donkey insists that donkeys are intelligent, contrary to common belief.
This reflects the donkeys' pride and their love of big words.