The Oz Series

Chapter 48

Part of the The Marvelous Land of Oz: Tip's Rebellion and the Return of Ozma arc.

This encyclopedia covers chapters 1 to 100 of the story and shows the world as it stands at chapter 100, so it contains spoilers up to that point. To read it spoiler free, one chapter at a time, open the interactive codex.

What happens

When the tidings reach Queen Jinjur—that Mombi the Witch was captured, confessed her crime to Glinda, and that the long-lost Princess Ozma was discovered to be the boy Tip—Jinjur weeps tears of grief and despair at the thought of returning to scrubbing floors and churning butter. Encouraged by her soldiers, who spent most of their time making fudge in the palace kitchens, Jinjur resists and sends a sharp defiance to Glinda the Good and Princess Ozma, resulting in a declaration of war. The next day Glinda marches on the Emerald City with pennants flying and bands playing, but at the walls the army halts because Jinjur has barred every gateway and the walls are built high and thick with green marble. The Woggle-Bug urges laying siege to starve the city into submission, but the Scarecrow points out they still have the Gump, which can fly. Glinda smiles and praises his brains.

The party goes to the Gump; Glinda and Princess Ozma mount first, followed by the Scarecrow and friends, with room for a Captain and three soldiers as a guard. At Ozma's word the Gump flops its palm-leaf wings and rises above the walls. They spot Jinjur reclining in a hammock in the courtyard, reading a green-covered novel and eating green chocolates, confident the walls protect her. The Gump alights in the courtyard, and before Jinjur can do more than scream, the Captain and three soldiers leap out and make the former Queen a prisoner, locking strong chains on her wrists. This ends the war, for the Army of Revolt submits once Jinjur is captured; the Captain opens the city gates, bands play, Glinda's army marches in, and heralds proclaim the conquest of Jinjur and the accession of Princess Ozma to the throne of her ancestors. The men of the Emerald City cast off their aprons, and the wives, tired of their husbands' cooking, hail the conquest joyfully and prepare delicious feasts, restoring family harmony.

Ozma's first act is to oblige the Army of Revolt to return every emerald and gem stolen from the streets and buildings; so many stones were picked from settings that the royal jewelers work over a month to replace them. The Army of Revolt is disbanded and the girls sent home to their mothers, and Jinjur is released on promise of good behavior. Ozma proves the loveliest Queen the Emerald City has known, ruling with wisdom and justice despite her youth, aided by Glinda's advice and by the Woggle-Bug, whom she appoints Public Educator. In gratitude, Ozma offers the Gump any reward; the Gump requests to be taken to pieces, ashamed of its conglomerate personality and servitude. Ozma orders it dismantled: the antlered head is rehung over the mantelpiece (where it continues to talk and startle visitors), the sofas returned to the reception parlors, the broom tail resumed in the kitchen, and the Scarecrow replaces the clothes-lines and ropes.

The Saw-Horse, being Ozma's personal property, is tenderly cared for; she rides it through the Emerald City and has its wooden legs shod with gold, the tinkle of the golden shoes filling her subjects with awe. The people declare that the Wonderful Wizard was never so wonderful as Queen Ozma, since he claimed to do things he could not, whereas she accomplishes the unexpected. Jack Pumpkinhead remains with Ozma to the end of his days, not spoiling as feared but remaining stupid, resisting the Woggle-Bug's attempts to educate him. After Glinda's army marches home and peace is restored, the Tin Woodman announces his intention to return to his Kingdom of the Winkies, where he rules as an Absolute Monarch and Emperor and will get a new coat of nickel plate; he invites Ozma to visit. The Scarecrow decides to return with the Tin Woodman, the two vowing never to part, and the Woodman makes the Scarecrow his Royal Treasurer, reasoning it is good to have a treasurer made of money. Ozma calls the money-stuffed Scarecrow the richest man in the world, but the Scarecrow values brains above money, and the Tin Woodman claims a good heart makes him the richest; Ozma concludes both are rich with the riches of content. The narrative ends.

Who is in play

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