A Princess of Mars · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs.
Chapter 1
Dedication
The book is dedicated to the author's son, Jack.
Chapter 2
A Princess of Mars
John Carter recounts his arrival on Mars, his capture by the Tharks, and his first encounters with the green Martians and the captive Princess Dejah Thoris, setting the stage for his adventures and growing bond with her.
Chapter 3
I: On the Arizona Hills
John Carter, an old man who does not age, begins his narrative by describing his life as a Confederate soldier turned prospector in Arizona. After the Civil War, he and Captain James K. Powell discover a rich gold vein. Powell leaves to procure mining equipment, but Carter later sees him attacked by Apaches. Carter rescues Powell's body and flees, eventually taking refuge in a cave where he feels a strange drowsiness and loses consciousness.
Chapter 4
The Escape of the Dead
John Carter, paralyzed by a mysterious gas in a cave, witnesses Apache warriors flee in terror after hearing a strange moaning sound. Later, he manages to break free from his paralysis through a superhuman effort of will, only to find himself standing naked beside his own lifeless body. Fearing an unseen horror in the cave, he escapes into the moonlit Arizona night, where he is overcome by a powerful longing for the planet Mars.
Chapter 5
III: My Advent on Mars
John Carter awakens on Mars, discovering his body's superhuman strength and agility in the lower gravity. He encounters a group of Green Martians, narrowly avoids being speared, and astonishes them with a tremendous leap. The leader makes a peaceful overture, and Carter is taken to their camp.
Chapter 6
A Prisoner
John Carter is taken to the Green Martian city, where he meets Tars Tarkas and the chieftain. He struggles with the low gravity, is forced to perform jumps, and eventually asserts himself by striking a Martian. He is then led by Sola to a chamber and encounters a Martian hound.
Chapter 7
V: I Elude My Watch Dog
John Carter awakens to find a Martian watch dog guarding him. He examines the room's murals, eats and drinks food provided by Sola, and learns about Martian nights and moons. Attempting to escape, he outruns the watch dog but is captured by a white apelike creature.
Chapter 8
A Fight That Won Friends
John Carter battles a fearsome ape-like creature and saves the life of his loyal watch-thing, earning the respect and admiration of the Thark warriors. His display of courage and compassion, particularly in sparing the beast that had saved him, surprises the Martians and solidifies his standing among them.
Chapter 9
VII: Child-Raising on Mars
John Carter observes the green Martians' method of child-rearing, from the hatching of eggs in remote incubators to the capture and communal upbringing of the young. He learns that Martians lack familial bonds, with children raised by foster mothers and taught only to speak and use weapons. Carter also continues his own education in the Martian language and telepathy, discovering that his mind cannot be read by others.
Chapter 10
A Fair Captive from the Sky
The green Martians' procession home is interrupted by the sudden appearance of a fleet of twenty airships. A fierce battle ensues, and the green warriors' deadly marksmanship forces the fleet to retreat, leaving one crippled vessel behind. The Tharks loot and burn the derelict ship, capturing a single prisoner: a beautiful, copper-skinned woman who resembles the women of Earth. John Carter sees her and feels an inexplicable connection, but his failure to respond to her signal leaves her in despair.
Chapter 11
I Learn the Language
John Carter continues to learn the Martian language and customs, receiving weapons and training from Sola. He overhears a conversation among the green Martian women about the fate of the captive red Martian princess, Dejah Thoris, learning that she is to be taken to Thark for execution. Sola expresses sympathy for the captive, revealing her own distaste for the brutality of her people, which strengthens Carter's resolve to seek her help in escaping with the princess.
Chapter 12
X: Champion and Chief
John Carter, having killed a Tharkian chieftain in combat, is recognized as a chieftain himself and granted the respect and regalia of his fallen foe. He defends Dejah Thoris from further harm, declaring himself her protector, and earns the grudging admiration of Tars Tarkas. Later, he tests his bond with Woola, winning the creature's loyalty through affection, and explores the outskirts of the dead city.
Chapter 13
With Dejah Thoris
John Carter arranges for Sola to guard Dejah Thoris and moves them to new quarters, where he learns more about Thark hierarchy and Martian history from Dejah Thoris. They explore the ancient city of Korad, and Dejah Thoris explains the origins of the red Martian race. Carter is summoned by Lorquas Ptomel, and they suspect Sarkoja of eavesdropping.
Chapter 14
XII: A Prisoner with Power
John Carter is formally warned by Lorquas Ptomel that he is suspected of plotting escape with Dejah Thoris, and that he will be executed if caught. Despite this, Carter resolves to free her from the clutches of Tal Hajus. Tars Tarkas helps him secure quarters near Dejah Thoris, and Carter acquires the retinue and property of the chieftains he slew. He reflects on the alien customs of the green Martians, particularly their loveless, community-controlled mating system.
Chapter 15
XIII: Lovemaking on Mars
John Carter trains his thoats with kindness, impressing Tars Tarkas and the Tharks, and is rewarded by Lorquas Ptomel. He spends time alone with Dejah Thoris, who reveals the Tharks' mistreatment of her and their attempts to keep them apart. Their intimate walk under the moons of Barsoom culminates in Carter's realization that he loves her.
Chapter 16
XIV: A Duel to the Death
John Carter struggles with his love for Dejah Thoris, who rebuffs him after he nearly declares his feelings. As the Thark horde departs for Thark, Carter objects to her being chained and secures her release through Tars Tarkas. Sarkoja plots against Carter with the warrior Zad. Carter reflects on his past on Earth and his growing sense of alienation. The chapter ends with the Tharks destroying a Warhoon incubator, signaling impending conflict.
Chapter 17
XV: Sola Tells Me Her Story
John Carter recovers from a duel with Zad, who lies dead. Sola is wounded by Sarkoja but survives. Dejah Thoris, believing Carter dead, weeps. Carter promises to visit Sola that night to hear her story. Sola reveals her mother's secret love for Tars Tarkas, their forbidden relationship, and Sarkoja's betrayal that led to her mother's death. She entrusts Carter with the name of her father: Tars Tarkas.
Chapter 18
We Plan Escape
John Carter, having discovered that their escape plan has been betrayed, returns stealthily to Dejah Thoris's quarters only to overhear a trap set by Thark warriors. He later reunites with Dejah Thoris and Sola, and together they devise a new escape route to Helium via a distant northern waterway, despite the looming threat of being thrown to wild calots at the yearly games.
Chapter 19
XVII: A Costly Recapture
John Carter sacrifices himself to allow Sola and Dejah Thoris to escape from the Tharks, but after being captured and brought before Tal Hajus, he intervenes to save Dejah Thoris from torture and slavery, knocking Tal Hajus unconscious and escaping with Sola and Dejah Thoris on thoats, fleeing across the moss toward Helium.
Chapter 20
Chained in Warhoon
John Carter awakens in captivity among the Warhoons, a ferocious green Martian horde. He witnesses a power struggle between the jeddak Bar Comas and his lieutenant Dak Kova, which ends with Bar Comas's death and Dak Kova assuming leadership. Carter is taken to the city of Warhoon, thrown into a dark dungeon, and chained. After a period of isolation and madness, he kills his jailer and finds keys, but is then confronted by six pairs of gleaming eyes in the darkness.
Chapter 21
XIX: Battling in the Arena
John Carter, imprisoned in a Warhoon dungeon, meets Kantos Kan, a Heliumite lieutenant. They are forced to fight in the arena against beasts and warriors. Carter and Kantos Kan stage a fake death to escape, with Carter feigning death and Kantos Kan winning freedom.
Chapter 22
In the Atmosphere Factory
John Carter, recuperating from his ordeals, is advised by his benefactors to disguise himself as a red Martian and seek employment in Zodanga. He travels to the atmosphere factory, where he meets its ancient keeper and learns the secrets of Mars's life-sustaining machinery. Carter discovers the keeper's suspicion and murderous intent, but hesitates to kill him due to the catastrophic consequences. Using telepathic insight, he attempts to escape the fortress-like plant.
Chapter 23
An Air Scout for Zodanga
John Carter recovers from his injuries and returns to Zodanga with Kantos Kan, where he witnesses a military honors ceremony and is unexpectedly decorated by Than Kosis for his bravery in defending the jeddak's cousin. He is appointed a padwar of The Guards and quartered in the palace. Later, Carter learns more about Martian agriculture and society during his journey, and hears troubling news about Dejah Thoris's possible death. He reunites with Kantos Kan, who is working undercover as an air scout to find the princess. Carter joins the air-scout squadron using a ruse, and learns to fly the advanced Martian aircraft powered by the eighth ray.
Chapter 24
XXII: I Find Dejah
John Carter, disguised as a Zodangan guardsman, discovers Dejah Thoris in the palace of Than Kosis. She has promised to marry Sab Than to save Helium from war, believing Carter dead. They meet secretly, and she explains Barsoomian customs of marriage and combat. Carter vows to claim her despite the obstacles, but Dejah insists it is too late due to her promise and the customs that forbid her marrying the slayer of her husband.
Chapter 25
Lost in the Sky
John Carter escapes Zodanga by air, but his compass is destroyed by enemy fire, leaving him lost over the Martian landscape as he tries to find Helium.
Chapter 26
Tars Tarkas Finds a Friend
John Carter, flying over a dead city, is shot down into a battle between Tharks and Warhoons. He saves Tars Tarkas from death, forging a deep friendship. Returning to Thark, Carter reunites with Woola and learns Tal Hajus intends to torture him. Carter convinces Tars Tarkas to face Tal Hajus, publicly humiliates the jeddak, and Tars Tarkas kills him in combat, becoming jeddak. Carter then proposes an alliance to rescue Dejah Thoris from Zodanga, and Tars Tarkas rallies a massive horde of 150,000 green warriors to march on Zodanga.
Chapter 27
XXV: The Looting of Zodanga
John Carter leads a Thark assault on the palace of Zodanga, interrupts the forced wedding of Dejah Thoris to Sab Than, kills Than Kosis and Sab Than in combat, rescues Kantos Kan from the dungeons, and finally confesses his love to Dejah Thoris, who accepts his proposal of marriage amid the chaos of war.
Chapter 28
Through Carnage to Joy
The chapter details the final naval and land battles against Zodanga, the surrender of the Zodangan fleet, the transfer of Dejah Thoris to the Helium flagship, the land assault with Thark allies, the defeat of Zodanga, the triumphal entry into Helium, and the formal greetings and gratitude from Tardos Mors and Mors Kajak.
Chapter 29
From Joy to Death
John Carter and Dejah Thoris enjoy nine years of marriage and happiness in Helium, but their joy is shattered when the atmosphere plant fails, threatening all life on Barsoom. As the air grows thin and death approaches, Carter recalls the forgotten key to the plant's doors. He races to the plant, opens the doors, and collapses, giving Barsoom a chance at survival.
Chapter 30
At the Arizona Cave
John Carter awakens in a cave on Earth, clothed and surrounded by a macabre scene of a mummified old woman and hanging skeletons. He realizes he has returned to Arizona after ten years on Mars, and he is filled with sorrow and longing for Dejah Thoris and his Martian life. Despite his wealth from the old mine, he remains consumed by his love and hope of returning to Mars.
Chapter 31
Endnotes
The chapter provides brief explanatory notes on the author's use of the word 'radium' to describe a Martian powder, noting it is likely a radium-based mixture, and clarifies that the original manuscript used Helium's written language and hieroglyphics. A second note identifies the term 'dogs' as a translation.
