Ruby Throne Room

The Ruby Throne Room is the magnificent audience chamber of Glinda the Good Witch, situated in her castle in the southern land of the Quadlings. It is the final destination of Dorothy's long journey through Oz and the place where the central wishes of the story are fulfilled, making it the decisive site of resolution and farewell.

Appearance and Setting

The throne room is dominated by a throne made of rubies, upon which Glinda sits. The room is described as big, and Glinda herself is presented as both beautiful and young, with rich red hair, a pure white dress, and kind blue eyes. The atmosphere is one of regal grace and benevolent power, a stark contrast to the deceptive grandeur of Oz's Throne Room in the Emerald City.

The Final Audience

It is here that Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion, having made themselves presentable, are led by a soldier girl to meet Glinda. Dorothy tells the Witch her entire story, from the cyclone to her adventures. Glinda listens and then leans forward to kiss the little girl's upturned face, a gesture of affection and authority that mirrors the kiss of the Witch of the North. She tells Dorothy she knows a way to get her back to Kansas, but first asks for the Golden Cap in return, which Dorothy willingly gives.

Dispensation of Destinies

Glinda uses the power of the Golden Cap to arrange the futures of Dorothy's companions. She promises to command the Winged Monkeys to carry the Scarecrow back to the Emerald City to rule, the Tin Woodman back to the Winkie Country to rule, and the Cowardly Lion back to his forest to be King of Beasts. She then reveals the secret of Dorothy's Silver Shoes: they have the power to carry her anywhere in the world in three steps. This revelation is the key to the entire quest, showing that Dorothy always had the means to return home.

Farewell and Significance

The Ruby Throne Room is the stage for the story's emotional climax. Dorothy embraces each of her friends in a sorrowful farewell, and Glinda steps down from her ruby throne to give the little girl a goodbye kiss. Dorothy then takes Toto in her arms, knocks her heels together three times, and commands the shoes to take her home to Aunt Em. The room thus witnesses the final parting of the group and the fulfillment of Dorothy's deepest wish, cementing Glinda's role as the true, benevolent power in Oz who grants wishes not through trickery but through knowledge and genuine magic.