# XIII: Lovemaking on Mars explained — A Princess of Mars

> Chapter companion for A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Romance

Carter and Dejah Thoris share a private walk under the moons, culminating in Carter's realization of his love for her.

### Survival and Adaptation

Carter adapts to Martian customs, trains thoats with kindness, and learns Tharkian warfare.

### Honor and Custom

Tharkian customs of war, treatment of thoats, and the significance of Dejah Thoris' lineage are highlighted.

## Character check-ins

### John Carter

Trains thoats with kindness, walks alone with Dejah Thoris, and realizes his love for her.

### Dejah Thoris

Reveals the Tharks' jealousy and mistreatment, shares an intimate walk with Carter, and calls him 'my chieftain.'

### Tars Tarkas

Instructs Carter in Tharkian warfare and riding, and learns Carter's method of training thoats.

### Sola

Accompanies Dejah Thoris on walks; Carter sends her away to be alone with Dejah Thoris.

### Lorquas Ptomel

Rewards Carter with a gold anklet for improving the thoats' training.

### Sarkoja

Spreads lies that Carter has become a true Thark; attempts to keep Carter and Dejah Thoris apart.

### Woola

Accompanies Sola and Dejah Thoris on their excursions for protection.

## Key lines

> By kindness. You see, Tars Tarkas, the softer sentiments have their value, even to a warrior.

Carter explains that treating thoats with kindness improves their obedience and his own fighting effectiveness.

_Carter advocates for humane treatment of animals, contrasting with typical Thark brutality._

> Only in little ways, John Carter. Nothing that can harm me outside my pride.

Dejah Thoris admits the Tharks mistreat her in small ways that wound her pride but not her body.

_She reveals the Tharks' jealousy of her noble lineage._

> I loved Dejah Thoris. The touch of my arm upon her naked shoulder had spoken to me in words I would not mistake.

Carter realizes he loves Dejah Thoris during their intimate walk under the moons.

_This marks the pivotal romantic moment of the chapter._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xiii-lovemaking-on-mars
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters