Rocky Plain
The Rocky Plain is a desolate, rock-strewn stretch of land in the Land of Oz, notable primarily as the site where the Winged Monkeys, acting on the orders of the Wicked Witch of the West, dropped the Tin Woodman after capturing him. This event marks a critical low point in the Tin Woodman's journey, leaving him utterly incapacitated and separated from his companions.
Location and Description
The Rocky Plain is characterized by its thick covering of sharp rocks, a terrain that proves devastating to the Tin Woodman when he is dropped from a great height. The plain is not a named, inhabited region but a specific geographical feature that serves as a dumping ground for the Winged Monkeys' victims. Its harsh, unforgiving surface is the direct cause of the Tin Woodman's severe damage, as he lies "so battered and dented that he could neither move nor groan" after his fall.
The Tin Woodman's Fall
During the Winged Monkeys' attack on Dorothy and her companions, some of the Monkeys seize the Tin Woodman and carry him through the air until they are over the Rocky Plain. They then drop him, and he falls a great distance onto the sharp rocks below. The impact leaves him completely immobilized, his body bent and his joints locked, unable to move or even groan for help. His axe lies nearby, but its blade is rusted and its handle broken off short. This state of utter helplessness persists until Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion, after melting the Wicked Witch, lead the Winkies to the plain to rescue him.
Rescue and Repair
The rescue of the Tin Woodman from the Rocky Plain is a concerted effort by Dorothy, the Lion, and the Winkies. They travel to the plain, where the Winkies lift the battered Woodman tenderly in their arms and carry him back to the Yellow Castle. Dorothy sheds tears at the sad plight of her old friend, and the Lion looks sober and sorry. Once at the castle, Dorothy asks if any of the Winkies are tinsmiths. The tinsmiths, bringing their tools, work for three days and four nights, hammering, twisting, bending, soldering, and polishing the Tin Woodman's legs, body, and head until he is straightened back into his old form, with his joints working as well as ever. Though he ends up with several patches, the Woodman does not mind them, and he is so pleased that he weeps tears of joy upon being restored.
Narrative Significance
The Rocky Plain functions as a narrative device that underscores the Tin Woodman's vulnerability despite his metal construction. It is a place of complete immobilization and helplessness, contrasting sharply with his later restoration and empowerment. The plain also serves as a testament to the loyalty of Dorothy and the Winkies, who go to great lengths to rescue and repair him. Furthermore, the incident highlights the arbitrary cruelty of the Wicked Witch and the Winged Monkeys, who use the plain as a means of destruction. The Rocky Plain is thus a key location in the story's arc of loss and recovery, marking the lowest point for one of Dorothy's companions before his eventual triumph.
