Emerald City Outskirts

The Emerald City Outskirts are the green, fertile lands immediately surrounding the Emerald City, serving as the final leg of the travelers' journey before they reach the City's walls. This area marks a decisive transition from the dangerous, untamed wilderness of the forest and the poppy fields into a civilized, orderly, and beautiful landscape that reflects the Wizard's influence and the prosperity of his domain.

Landscape and Appearance

When Dorothy and her companions finally emerge from the dark forest and the deadly poppy field, they find themselves on a road that is smooth and well paved, a stark contrast to the rough, uneven yellow brick path they had previously traveled. The country about them is beautiful, with green meadows dotted with bright flowers and trees hanging full of delicious fruits. The fences beside the road are painted green, and the small houses they pass are also painted green, indicating they have entered the Land of Oz proper. The people they see are all dressed in clothing of a lovely emerald-green color and wear peaked hats like those of the Munchkins, but the travelers notice the inhabitants are not as friendly as the Munchkins, and they are afraid of the great Lion.

The Journey's End

As the travelers continue, they see a beautiful green glow in the sky just before them, which Dorothy correctly identifies as the Emerald City. The green glow becomes brighter and brighter as they walk, and it is afternoon before they come to the great wall that surrounds the City. The wall is high and thick and of a bright green color. At the end of the road of yellow brick is a big gate, all studded with emeralds that glitter so in the sun that even the painted eyes of the Scarecrow are dazzled by their brilliancy. This is the culmination of their long and perilous journey, and the outskirts serve as the threshold between the dangers of the wider land and the wonders of the City itself.

Narrative Significance

The Emerald City Outskirts function as a liminal space that confirms the travelers have successfully navigated the most dangerous parts of their quest. The shift from the wild, threatening environment of the forest and the poppy field to the cultivated, green, and orderly outskirts underscores the power and influence of Oz, who has shaped this land to his will. The area also provides a moment of respite and anticipation before the travelers face the unknown challenges of the Emerald City and the Wizard himself. When the travelers later leave the Emerald City to seek Glinda, they pass through these same outskirts, now familiar and welcoming, before heading into new dangers to the South.