Princess Ozma of Oz explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Home and Belonging

  Dorothy and her friends find a warm welcome in the Emerald City, and the Shaggy Man expresses a desire to become a loyal subject of Oz.

• Hospitality and Generosity

  Ozma hosts a grand dinner and magic show, and generously offers to hang the Love Magnet for all to share.

• Identity and Transformation

  The Shaggy Man confesses his past theft and transforms his character by giving up the Love Magnet, embracing honesty and belonging.

Characters to notice

• Princess Ozma

  Hosts Dorothy and her friends in the Emerald City, reveals she manipulated the roads to bring Dorothy to her birthday party, and graciously welcomes the Shaggy Man.

• Dorothy

  Embraces Ozma joyfully, expresses surprise at Ozma's involvement in her journey, and presents the Shaggy Man to the Princess.

• Shaggy Man

  Arrives in new shaggy clothes, confesses to stealing the Love Magnet, and agrees to hang it over the gates of the Emerald City.

• Button-Bright

  Sits beside Ozma, asks about the Musicker, and declines the Love Magnet.

• Polychrome

  Dances into the room and is warmly greeted by Ozma; she enjoys the Wizard's magic piglets.

• Wizard of Oz

  Entertains the group with a magic show featuring eight tiny piglets, and comments on Dorothy being loved by all.

Key passages

• “The royal historians of Oz, who are fine writers and know any number of big words, have often tried to describe the rare beauty of Ozma and failed because the words were not good enough.”

  Ozma's beauty is so extraordinary that even the best writers cannot capture it in words.

  Highlights Ozma's unparalleled charm and the narrator's humility.

• “I’ve watched you in my Magic Picture all the way here,” declared Ozma, “and twice I thought I should have to use the Magic Belt to save you and transport you to the Emerald City.”

  Ozma reveals she has been monitoring Dorothy's journey through her Magic Picture and almost intervened twice.

  Shows Ozma's protective nature and her magical abilities.

• “I stole it, your Majesty.” “Oh, Shaggy Man!” cried Dorothy. “How dreadful! And you told me the Eskimo gave you the Love Magnet.””

  The Shaggy Man admits to stealing the Love Magnet, contradicting his earlier story about the Eskimo.

  Illustrates the Shaggy Man's honesty after bathing in the Truth Pond.

• “All my people love the Wizard, too,” announced the Princess, laughing; “so we will hang the Love Magnet over the gates of the Emerald City, that whoever shall enter or leave the gates may be loved and loving.””

  Ozma decides to place the Love Magnet at the city gates so everyone who passes through will be loved and loving.

  Demonstrates Ozma's wisdom and generosity in sharing the Magnet's power.