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.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
Dorothy’s encounter with the tin statue of herself—a perfect replica of her first appearance in Oz—triggers an…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes 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.
