A Princess of Mars · Chapter
From Joy to Death explained
John Carter and Dejah Thoris enjoy nine years of marriage and happiness in Helium, but their joy is shattered when the atmosphere plant fails, threatening all life on Barsoom.
What happens
John Carter and Dejah Thoris enjoy nine years of marriage and happiness in Helium, but their joy is shattered when the atmosphere plant fails, threatening all life on Barsoom. As the air grows thin and death approaches, Carter recalls the forgotten key to the plant's doors. He races to the plant, opens the doors, and collapses, giving Barsoom a chance at survival.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Romance
John Carter and Dejah Thoris's love is tested by impending death, with Carter's determination to save her driving his heroic actions.
Survival and Adaptation
The entire planet faces extinction from asphyxiation, and Carter must adapt quickly to recall the forgotten key and race against time.
Fate and Destiny
The characters confront their seemingly inevitable doom, but Carter's memory of the nine sounds suggests a destined role in saving Barsoom.
Courage and Combat
The people of Helium face death with bravery, and Carter undertakes a perilous flight to the atmosphere plant despite the thinning air.
Characters to notice
- John Carter
Recalls the key to the atmosphere plant and races to save Barsoom, leaving Dejah Thoris in a coma.
- Dejah Thoris
Falls into a coma from asphyxiation as the air supply dwindles, but confesses her love to Carter before losing consciousness.
- Tardos Mors
Announces the failure of the atmosphere plant and the impending doom, then orders a flier for Carter's mission.
- Woola
Stays close to Dejah Thoris and John Carter, whining pitifully as the crisis unfolds.
- Sola
Accompanies Tars Tarkas to Thark and later returns for the wedding of Dejah Thoris and John Carter.
- Tars Tarkas
Acknowledges Sola as his daughter and returns to Helium for the wedding ceremony.
- Mors Kajak
Commands the escort for the Thark hordes and later returns to Helium for the wedding.
Key passages
“We have been very happy, John Carter, and I thank whatever fate overtakes us that it permits us to die together.”
Dejah Thoris expresses gratitude for their shared happiness and accepts that they will face death together.
Dejah Thoris's acceptance of their fate contrasts with Carter's refusal to give up.
“It shall not be, my princess. There is, there must be some way, and John Carter, who has fought his way through a strange world for love of you, will find it.”
Carter vows to find a solution, refusing to accept death and drawing on his past struggles for her.
Carter's determination and love drive him to recall the key to the atmosphere plant.
“The men of Helium have prided themselves that they have ever shown Barsoom how a nation of red men should live, now is our opportunity to show them how they should die.”
A young noble urges the people to face death with dignity, setting an example for others.
This speech highlights the theme of courage in the face of inevitable doom.