A Princess of Mars · Chapter
Tars Tarkas Finds a Friend explained
John Carter, flying over a dead city, is shot down into a battle between Tharks and Warhoons.
What happens
John Carter, flying over a dead city, is shot down into a battle between Tharks and Warhoons. He saves Tars Tarkas from death, forging a deep friendship. Returning to Thark, Carter reunites with Woola and learns Tal Hajus intends to torture him. Carter convinces Tars Tarkas to face Tal Hajus, publicly humiliates the jeddak, and Tars Tarkas kills him in combat, becoming jeddak. Carter then proposes an alliance to rescue Dejah Thoris from Zodanga, and Tars Tarkas rallies a massive horde of 150,000 green warriors to march on Zodanga.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Custom
Tars Tarkas and Carter challenge Tal Hajus through the Thark custom of proving fitness to rule, leading to a formal combat that determines leadership.
Courage and Combat
Carter's bravery in saving Tars Tarkas and his public defiance of Tal Hajus highlight the value of personal courage in a warrior society.
Friendship and Loyalty
The bond between Carter and Tars Tarkas is cemented through mutual rescue and sacrifice, and Woola's unwavering loyalty is also emphasized.
Characters to notice
- John Carter
Falls into battle, saves Tars Tarkas, reunites with Woola, challenges Tal Hajus, and proposes the rescue of Dejah Thoris.
- Tars Tarkas
Saved by Carter in battle, learns of Sarkoja's betrayal of Gozava, kills Tal Hajus in combat, becomes jeddak of Thark, and leads a massive horde to Zodanga.
- Woola
Faithful hound who finds Carter in Tars Tarkas' quarters after his return to Thark.
- Tal Hajus
Jeddak of Thark who orders Carter's torture, is humiliated by Carter, and is killed in combat by Tars Tarkas.
- Sarkoja
Recognizes Carter, reports to Tal Hajus, is threatened by Tars Tarkas for her role in Gozava's death, and disappears the next morning.
- Lorquas Ptomel
Chieftain who demands justice for Carter and calls for Tal Hajus to prove his fitness to rule.
Key passages
“I would scarcely recognize you, John Carter, but there is no other mortal upon Barsoom who would have done what you have for me. I think I have learned that there is such a thing as friendship, my friend.”
Tars Tarkas acknowledges Carter's unique act of selflessness and declares that he now understands the concept of friendship.
This moment solidifies the deep bond between the two warriors.
“We will stay, Tars Tarkas, and see Tal Hajus tonight. You shall not sacrifice yourself, and it may be that tonight you can have the chance you wait.”
Carter refuses to flee and insists they face Tal Hajus together, hinting at the opportunity for Tars Tarkas to challenge him.
Carter's courage and loyalty inspire Tars Tarkas to confront his enemy.
“Tal Hajus, never in my long life have I seen a jeddak of the Tharks so humiliated. There could be but one answer to this arraignment. We wait it.”
Lorquas Ptomel declares that Tal Hajus must respond to Carter's accusations or be deemed unfit to rule.
The council forces Tal Hajus into a duel to prove his worth.
“John Carter suggests that we rescue her and return her to Helium. The loot of Zodanga would be magnificent...”
Tars Tarkas presents Carter's plan to the council, emphasizing both the rescue of Dejah Thoris and the potential riches from sacking Zodanga.
The proposal unites the Tharks with a common goal of plunder and alliance.
