# XV: Sola Tells Me Her Story explained — A Princess of Mars

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

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Romance

Sola's parents' secret love defies Thark traditions; their story is one of devotion and sacrifice.

### Honor and Custom

Thark society punishes emotional bonds; Sola's mother is killed for breaking the code.

### Alienation and Belonging

Sola feels alienated from her own kind due to her parents' love; she finds kinship with John Carter.

## Character check-ins

### John Carter

Wounded in duel with Zad, recovers quickly due to Martian medicine; promises to hear Sola's story.

### Sola

Wounded by Sarkoja's dagger but survives; reveals her tragic family history and the identity of her father.

### Dejah Thoris

Grieves over John Carter's supposed death, weeping—a rare sight on Barsoom.

### Tars Tarkas

Revealed as Sola's father; a warrior who loved Sola's mother in secret.

### Sarkoja

Betrayed Sola's mother to Tal Hajus; present at the tower when the secret was discovered.

### Tal Hajus

Ruler of the Tharks; Sola's mother served in his retinue; he ordered her death.

## Key lines

> Give a Martian woman a chance and death must take a back seat.

Martian women are so skilled at healing that death is almost defeated if they are allowed to work.

_Highlights the advanced medical abilities of Martian women._

> Tears are a strange sight upon Barsoom, and so it is difficult for me to interpret them.

Crying is rare on Mars, so Sola finds it hard to understand the meaning of tears.

_Emphasizes the emotional restraint of Martian culture._

> I trust you because I know that you are not cursed with the terrible trait of absolute and unswerving truthfulness, that you could lie like one of your own Virginia gentlemen if a lie would save others from sorrow or suffering.

Sola trusts John Carter because he is not bound by a rigid code of truth; he would lie to protect others, like a gentleman from Virginia.

_Shows Sola's understanding of Carter's moral flexibility and her trust in him._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xv-sola-tells-me-her-story
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters