Importance of The Private Lands

The Private Lands, a fabled area where the wealthy and important go to live outside of the city in a semi suburbia, represent the hope of a better future for Bea. They also symbolize the existence of a social hierarchy in the novel's alternate reality, for only the privileged have access to these lands. Their existence is a point of debate throughout the novel. Bea believes they exist and is fooled into trusting Ranger Bob, who promises to get her and Agnes out of the Wilderness and take them to the Private Lands.