# The City of Beasts explained — The Road to Oz

> Chapter companion for The Road to Oz by L. Frank Baum.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_road_to_oz_se/chapters/vi-the-city-of-beasts
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_road_to_oz_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_road_to_oz_se/chapters