Location in The Oz Series
the forest of the beasts
Also known as another forest, this forest, a grand old forest, your forest.
A great, ancient forest beyond the bogs and marshes south of the china country, its trees bigger and older than any the travelers had seen, floored with soft dried leaves and green moss; home to hundreds of wild beasts and, until the Lion slays it, a giant spider-monster.
Appears in 3 chapters, first in chapter 21, last in chapter 24.
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 the story establishes
| Acoustics and tone | Deep and hushed, but stirred by the low rumble and snarling growl of many wild animals in council; the Lion finds it delightful while the Scarecrow finds it gloomy. |
| Appearance | A deep old forest of very big, very old trees, with soft dried leaves underfoot and rich green moss clinging to the trunks; it strikes the Lion as delightful and the Scarecrow as gloomy. (as of ch. 21) |
| Controlled by | The Cowardly Lion, whom the forest beasts crown King of the Forest after he kills the spider-monster; he promises to return and rule once Dorothy is safe. (as of ch. 21) |
| Physical constraints | Reached only across a disagreeable country of bogs and marshes hidden by tall rank grass, where one may fall into muddy holes; the forest itself grows dark enough at night to halt travel. |
Relationships
- rules ← Cowardly Lion ch. 21By slaying the monster the Lion wins the crown of King of the Forest, promising to return and rule the forest once Dorothy is safely on her way home.
- contains ← Land of Oz ch. 24The grand old forest of the beasts is a southern region of the Land of Oz, lying beyond the china country and just before the hill of the Hammer-Heads on the road toward the Quadling country; the travelers pass through it on their journey to Glinda.
- located in ← Cowardly Lion (ended) ch. 21–22The Cowardly Lion travels into and through the great old forest, delighting in it and going alone among its oaks to fight the monster.
- located in ← Cowardly Lion (ended) ch. 24–57The Cowardly Lion's chosen home and destination: he means to pass the rest of his life very happily in this grand old forest, and after parting from Dorothy the Winged Monkeys carry him back to it at Glinda's command.
- located in ← the beasts of the forest (ended) ch. 21The hundreds of forest beasts are gathered in an opening within the great old forest, holding their council there.
- located in ← the great spider (ended) ch. 21The spider-monster lairs within the forest among the oak trees, where the Lion finds it asleep and kills it.
- located in ← Dorothy (ended) ch. 21–22Dorothy travels into the great old forest with the party, sleeping there overnight as they cross it southward.
- located in ← Scarecrow (ended) ch. 21–22The Scarecrow enters the great old forest with the party — finding it gloomy — and keeps watch there through the night.
- located in ← Tin Woodman (ended) ch. 21–22The Tin Woodman enters the great old forest with the party and keeps watch over his sleeping companions through the night.
- located in ← Toto (ended) ch. 21–22Toto enters the great old forest with the party and lies down there to sleep, whimpering at the distant growl of the beasts.
From the text
This forest is perfectly delightful. Never have I seen a more beautiful place.Chapter 21
another forest, where the trees were bigger and older than any they had ever seen.Chapter 21
See the forest of the beasts chapter by chapter in the interactive codex →