A Princess of Mars · Chapter
XXV: The Looting of Zodanga explained
John Carter leads a Thark assault on the palace of Zodanga, interrupts the forced wedding of Dejah Thoris to Sab Than, kills Than Kosis and Sab Than in combat, rescues Kantos Kan from the dungeons, and finally confesses his love to Dejah Th
What happens
John Carter leads a Thark assault on the palace of Zodanga, interrupts the forced wedding of Dejah Thoris to Sab Than, kills Than Kosis and Sab Than in combat, rescues Kantos Kan from the dungeons, and finally confesses his love to Dejah Thoris, who accepts his proposal of marriage amid the chaos of war.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Romance
John Carter's love for Dejah Thoris drives him to interrupt her wedding, fight through the palace, and ultimately win her hand.
Courage and Combat
John Carter single-handedly attacks the throne room, fights Than Kosis and multiple officers, and leads the Thark assault.
Honor and Custom
John Carter refrains from killing Sab Than easily due to Barsoomian custom, and the wedding ceremony itself is a formal custom.
Characters to notice
- John Carter
Leads the Thark attack, kills Than Kosis and Sab Than, rescues Kantos Kan, and proposes to Dejah Thoris.
- Dejah Thoris
Nearly forced to marry Sab Than, saved by John Carter, and accepts his marriage proposal.
- Tars Tarkas
Leads the Thark warriors into the palace, fights alongside John Carter, and later directs the fighting in the city.
- Kantos Kan
Captured by the air patrol before reaching the palace, rescued from the dungeons by John Carter.
- Sab Than
Prince of Zodanga, killed by John Carter during the battle.
- Than Kosis
Jeddak of Zodanga, killed by John Carter in single combat.
Key passages
“Was there ever such a man! I know that Barsoom has never before seen your like. Can it be that all Earth men are as you? Alone, a stranger, hunted, threatened, persecuted, you have done in a few short months what in all the past ages of Barsoom no man has ever done: joined together the wild hordes of the sea bottoms and brought them to fight as allies of a red Martian people.”
Dejah Thoris marvels at John Carter's extraordinary achievements, noting that as a lone Earthman he has united the savage Tharks with the red Martians in a way never before accomplished on Barsoom.
Dejah Thoris expresses awe at John Carter's unique abilities and accomplishments.
“The answer is easy, Dejah Thoris. It was not I who did it, it was love, love for Dejah Thoris, a power that would work greater miracles than this you have seen.”
John Carter attributes his success not to his own prowess but to the motivating power of his love for Dejah Thoris.
John Carter credits love as the force behind his miraculous deeds.
“He does not need to be abashed who so well knew the answer to his plea before the plea were made.”
Dejah Thoris tells John Carter that he already knew she would accept his proposal before he even asked.
Dejah Thoris playfully acknowledges her willingness to marry John Carter.