A Princess of Mars · Chapter
XIV: A Duel to the Death explained
John Carter struggles with his love for Dejah Thoris, who rebuffs him after he nearly declares his feelings.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Romance
Carter's internal conflict over confessing his love to Dejah Thoris and her subsequent coldness dominate the chapter, highlighting the pain and idealism of romantic love.
Honor and Custom
Carter refrains from declaring his love out of respect for Dejah Thoris's position and Martian customs; Tars Tarkas's decision to free her chains shows a tension between honor and cruelty.
Alienation and Belonging
Carter feels alienated from both the Tharks and Dejah Thoris, longing for his Earth home and family, yet bound to Mars by his love.
Survival and Adaptation
The Tharks' destruction of the Warhoon incubator is a strategic act of survival and dominance in the harsh Martian environment.
Characters to notice
- John Carter
Struggles with his love for Dejah Thoris and his sense of honor; secures her release from chains; reflects on his Earth past.
- Dejah Thoris
Rebuffs Carter after his near-declaration of love; is chained but later freed; maintains her pride as a princess.
- Tars Tarkas
Shows a rare undercurrent of humanity by freeing Dejah Thoris from chains; leads the raid on the Warhoon incubator.
- Sola
Acts as intermediary between Carter and Dejah Thoris; disapproves of Sarkoja's chaining of Dejah Thoris.
- Sarkoja
Hates Carter and plots against him with the warrior Zad; responsible for chaining Dejah Thoris.
- Zad
A warrior who conspires with Sarkoja against Carter.
- Woola
Accompanies Dejah Thoris to her quarters on Carter's orders.
- Lorquas Ptomel
Directs Tars Tarkas to investigate the Warhoon incubator.
Key passages
“My first impulse was to tell her of my love, and then I thought of the helplessness of her position wherein I alone could lighten the burdens of her captivity, and protect her in my poor way against the thousands of hereditary enemies she must face upon our arrival at Thark.”
Carter initially wanted to confess his love, but held back because Dejah Thoris was captive and dependent on him, and he didn't want to take advantage of her vulnerability.
Shows Carter's chivalrous restraint and internal conflict.
“I saw the strength of his reasoning at a flash, and knew that it was futile to appeal from his decision, but I asked that the key be taken from Sarkoja and that she be directed to leave the prisoner alone in future.”
Carter understood Tars Tarkas's logic for keeping Dejah Thoris chained, but still requested that Sarkoja be removed from guarding her.
Highlights Carter's protective nature and the political dynamics among the Tharks.
“With all his cruel ferocity and coldness there was an undercurrent of something in Tars Tarkas which he seemed ever battling to subdue. Could it be a vestige of some human instinct come back from an ancient forbear to haunt him with the horror of his people's ways!”
Despite Tars Tarkas's brutality, Carter senses a hidden humanity in him, as if he is struggling against the savage customs of his race.
Foreshadows Tars Tarkas's potential for change and deeper character development.
“Not fit to polish the teeth of her grandmother's cat! I must rank pretty low in the consideration of Dejah Thoris, I thought; but I could not help laughing at the strange figure of speech, so homely and in this respect so earthly.”
Carter finds humor in Dejah Thoris's insult, comparing it to Earthly expressions, and feels a pang of homesickness.
Illustrates Carter's sense of humor and his longing for Earth.
