# Tara in a Tantrum explained — The Chessmen of Mars > Chapter companion for The Chessmen of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs. ## What happens Tara of Helium prepares for a midday function at her father's palace, bathes, and dresses. She joins the guests in the garden, where she is introduced to Gahan, Jed of Gathol. She observes Djor Kantos in deep conversation with Olvia Marthis, which stirs feelings of surprise and jealousy, though she tries to rationalize them as mere curiosity. ## Themes in this chapter ### Love and Sacrifice Tara's emerging jealousy and confusion over Djor Kantos' attention to Olvia Marthis hints at the complexities of love and expected marriage. ### Identity and Disguise Tara's internal struggle to understand her own emotions reflects a search for self-identity beyond societal expectations. ## Character check-ins ### Tara of Helium The princess rises from her silks, bathes, dresses, and mingles with guests. She feels disturbed by Djor Kantos' attention to Olvia Marthis. ### Gahan of Gathol Introduced to Tara by John Carter. He is a young jed from Gathol, adorned in barbaric splendor, and engages Tara in conversation about his city. ### Dejah Thoris Mother of Tara, greeted by Tara in the garden. She is announced as 'the Princess' and moves among the guests with her daughter. ### John Carter The Warlord, father of Tara. He introduces Gahan to Tara and leaves them to converse. ### Djor Kantos Son of Kantos Kan, a padwar in the navy. He is seen in earnest conversation with Olvia Marthis, causing Tara's unease. ### Olvia Marthis Daughter of the Jed of Hastor, described as noticeably beautiful. She is in deep conversation with Djor Kantos. ### Uthia A slave girl who attends Tara's bath and teases her about Djor Kantos' admiration. ### Kantos Kan Overlord of the Navy, mentioned as one of the arriving guests and as the father of Djor Kantos. ## Key lines > Her carriage was that of health and physical perfection—the effortless harmony of faultless coordination. She moved with the natural grace of a perfectly healthy and coordinated body. _Describes Tara's physical poise and vitality._ > Thus it is upon Mars where men are judged upon their own merits rather than upon those of their grandsires, even though pride of lineage be great. On Mars, a person's worth is determined by their own achievements, not their ancestry, despite the importance of family pride. _Highlights Barsoomian social values._ > She had been reared to believe that one day she should wed Djor Kantos, son of her father’s best friend. She grew up expecting to marry Djor Kantos, as it was the wish of both their fathers. _Explains the expected union between Tara and Djor Kantos._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/i-tara-in-a-tantrum - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters