A Princess of Mars · Chapter
XII: A Prisoner with Power explained
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.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Custom
The green Martians' rigid customs regarding property, mating, and justice are contrasted with Carter's Earthly values.
Alienation and Belonging
Carter is an alien among the Tharks, yet holds power; he feels a deep sense of duty to protect Dejah Thoris.
Survival and Adaptation
Carter adapts to Thark customs while planning escape; the Martians' survival is shaped by their harsh environment and social structure.
Characters to notice
- John Carter
Warned by Lorquas Ptomel about suspicions of escape; resolves to free Dejah Thoris; secures quarters near her.
- Dejah Thoris
The red prisoner; Carter is determined to save her from Tal Hajus; she is quartered in an adjoining building.
- Tars Tarkas
Helps Carter find quarters; remains friendly and unconcerned about the accusations.
- Lorquas Ptomel
Warns Carter of the accusations and the conditions under which he may be killed.
- Sarkoja
Implied to be the source of the report about Carter plotting escape; described as Tars Tarkas' oldest and most trusted female.
- Tal Hajus
The feared leader of the Tharks; Carter dreads Dejah Thoris falling into his hands.
Key passages
“All property among the green Martians is owned in common by the community, except the personal weapons, ornaments and sleeping silks and furs of the individuals.”
Among the green Martians, only personal items like weapons and bedding are privately owned; everything else belongs to the community.
Explains the communal property system of the Tharks.
“The women and children of a man’s retinue may be likened to a military unit for which he is responsible in various ways, as in matters of instruction, discipline, sustenance, and the exigencies of their continual roamings and their unending strife with other communities and with the red Martians.”
A man's retinue of women and children functions like a military squad, with him responsible for their training, discipline, and survival during constant conflicts.
Describes the martial nature of Thark social units.
“Far better that we save friendly bullets for ourselves at the last moment, as did those brave frontier women of my lost land, who took their own lives rather than fall into the hands of the Indian braves.”
It would be better for us to use our own bullets to end our lives, just as courageous frontier women did rather than be captured by Native Americans.
Carter's grim resolve to prevent Dejah Thoris from being taken by Tal Hajus.