# XI: Four Dead Mahars explained — At the Earth’s Core

> Chapter companion for At the Earth’s Core by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

## What happens

David Innes is sentenced to the experimental pits for telling the truth about the outer world. He escapes his chains using a dropped surgical instrument and flees through the corridors. He finds the three sleeping Mahars he had planned to kill, then reunites with Perry and Ghak. Disguised under a load of skins, he returns to the lower levels, kills the three Mahars, and stumbles into the secret chamber containing the Great Secret. In a fight with two Mahars, he kills both and seizes the book. In that moment, he realizes he loves Dian the Beautiful.

## Themes in this chapter

### Heroism and Sacrifice

David risks his life to kill the Mahars and steal the Great Secret for the good of humanity.

### Science vs. Superstition

The Mahars reject David's truthful account of the outer world as an impossible lie, highlighting the clash between empirical knowledge and entrenched belief.

### Love and Romance

In the midst of his triumph, David's thoughts turn to Dian the Beautiful, revealing his love for her.

## Character check-ins

### David Innes

Sentenced to the experimental pits, escapes, kills four Mahars, and discovers the Great Secret.

### Abner Perry

Waits with Ghak in the upper levels while David carries out the plan.

### Ghak

Awaits with Perry, ready to assist in the escape.

### The Mahars

Four Mahars are killed by David; the Mahar race's Great Secret is stolen.

### The Sagoths

Guard the prisoners and escort David to the experimental pits.

### Dian the Beautiful

David realizes he loves her while holding the Great Secret.

## Key lines

> I answered them all truthfully. They seemed particularly interested in my account of the outer earth and the strange vehicle which had brought Perry and me to Pellucidar.

David told the Mahars the whole truth about the outer world and the iron mole, which fascinated them.

_David's honesty is met with disbelief, leading to his sentence._

> Cold sweat broke out upon me as I realized that soon my turn would come. And to think that where there was no such thing as time I might easily imagine that my suffering was enduring for months before death finally released me!

David panics at the thought of his impending vivisection, knowing that without time, his agony could feel endless.

_Highlights the psychological horror of timelessness in Pellucidar._

> I thought of a beautiful oval face, gazing out of limpid eyes, through a waving mass of jet-black hair. I thought of red, red lips, God-made for kissing. And of a sudden, apropos of nothing, standing there alone in the secret chamber of the Mahars of Pellucidar, I realized that I loved Dian the Beautiful.

While holding the Mahars' greatest secret, David suddenly realizes he is in love with Dian.

_The romantic epiphany contrasts with the violent action of the chapter._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/chapters/xi-four-dead-mahars
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/chapters