# XVII: A Costly Recapture explained — A Princess of Mars

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

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Courage and Combat

John Carter displays immense courage in fighting off the Tharks and later confronting Tal Hajus to rescue Dejah Thoris.

### Love and Romance

Dejah Thoris's declaration that she will die with Carter and their embrace highlight the deepening romantic bond between them.

### Honor and Custom

Carter spares Tal Hajus out of respect for Tars Tarkas's rightful vengeance, adhering to a code of honor.

## Character check-ins

### John Carter

Sacrifices himself to allow Sola and Dejah Thoris to escape, then later rescues Dejah Thoris from Tal Hajus and leads the escape.

### Dejah Thoris

Refuses to leave John Carter, declaring she will die with him; later rescued from Tal Hajus and escapes with Carter.

### Sola

Assists in the escape, carrying Dejah Thoris on the thoat and later following Carter's lead out of Thark.

### Tal Hajus

Threatens to torture Dejah Thoris and claims her for himself, but is knocked unconscious by John Carter.

### Tars Tarkas

Mentioned as the one for whom John Carter spares Tal Hajus's life, allowing Tars Tarkas his moment of vengeance.

## Key lines

> Fly, Sola! Dejah Thoris remains to die with the man she loves.

Sola, escape! I, Dejah Thoris, will stay and die alongside the man I love.

_Dejah Thoris refuses to flee without John Carter, declaring her love and willingness to die with him._

> Goodbye, my princess, we may meet in Helium yet. I have escaped from worse plights than this, and I tried to smile as I lied.

Farewell, my princess. Perhaps we will reunite in Helium. I have survived worse situations, though I forced a smile while deceiving her.

_John Carter lies to reassure Dejah Thoris as he sends her away, knowing the danger he faces._

> If we make it, my chieftain, the debt of Helium will be a mighty one; greater than she can ever pay you; and should we not make it, the debt is no less, though Helium will never know, for you have saved the last of our line from worse than death.

If we survive, my chieftain, Helium will owe you an immense debt, more than it can ever repay. And if we do not survive, the debt remains just as great, even though Helium will never know, because you have saved the last of our royal line from a fate worse than death.

_Dejah Thoris acknowledges John Carter's heroic rescue and the profound gratitude of Helium, regardless of the outcome._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xvii-a-costly-recapture
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters