# Chained in Warhoon explained — A Princess of Mars

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

## What happens

John Carter awakens in captivity among the Warhoons, a ferocious green Martian horde. He witnesses a power struggle between the jeddak Bar Comas and his lieutenant Dak Kova, which ends with Bar Comas's death and Dak Kova assuming leadership. Carter is taken to the city of Warhoon, thrown into a dark dungeon, and chained. After a period of isolation and madness, he kills his jailer and finds keys, but is then confronted by six pairs of gleaming eyes in the darkness.

## Themes in this chapter

### Survival and Adaptation

Carter endures captivity, torture, and madness, ultimately using cunning to kill his jailer and find a means of escape.

### Courage and Combat

The duel between Bar Comas and Dak Kova exemplifies the brutal, honorless combat that defines Warhoon society.

### Civilization vs. Barbarism

The Warhoons' savage rituals and constant internal violence contrast sharply with any notion of civilized order.

## Character check-ins

### John Carter

Captured by Warhoons, chained in a dungeon, and driven to madness before killing his jailer and finding keys.

### Bar Comas

Jeddak of Warhoon, killed in a duel with Dak Kova after being challenged for his leadership.

### Dak Kova

Old lieutenant who captures Carter, challenges Bar Comas, kills him, and becomes the new Jeddak of Warhoon.

## Key lines

> It must have been several hours before I regained consciousness and I well remember the feeling of surprise which swept over me as I realized that I was not dead.

After several hours, I woke up, surprised to find myself alive.

_Carter's initial realization of survival after being captured._

> He entirely omitted the usual formal salutation as we entered the presence of the jeddak, and as he pushed me roughly before the ruler he exclaimed in a loud and menacing voice.

Dak Kova showed disrespect by skipping the formal greeting and shoving Carter before the jeddak while shouting.

_Dak Kova's insubordination toward Bar Comas._

> I swung the chain above my head and crashed the links with all my strength upon his skull. Without a sound he slipped to the floor, stone dead.

I swung the chain and struck him on the head, killing him instantly.

_Carter kills his jailer in a desperate act of madness and cunning._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xviii-chained-in-warhoon
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters