The Chessmen of Mars · Chapter
X: Entrapped explained
Tara of Helium and Ghek are captured by U-Dor and his warriors and taken to the city of Manator.
What happens
Tara of Helium and Ghek are captured by U-Dor and his warriors and taken to the city of Manator. Meanwhile, Turan the panthan attempts to enter the city to find food and water, but is tricked and imprisoned in a subterranean dungeon. Tara realizes she misses Turan and fears for his safety.
Themes in this chapter
Courage and Resilience
Ghek stands ready to defend Tara despite overwhelming odds, and Tara maintains her composure in captivity.
Identity and Disguise
Turan moves through Manator hoping to be mistaken for a local, and Tara conceals her true identity as a princess.
Characters to notice
- Tara of Helium
Captured by U-Dor and taken to Manator; worries about Turan and feels sorrow and loneliness.
- Ghek
Attempts to defend Tara but is persuaded to surrender; accompanies her into Manator.
- Turan
Enters Manator through an open gate, is tricked and imprisoned in an underground dungeon.
- U-Dor
Dwar of the 8th Utan of O-Tar; captures Tara and Ghek and brings them to Manator.
Key passages
““It is useless, Ghek,” she said, when she saw that he intended to defend her. “What can a single sword accomplish against such odds?” “I can die but once,” replied the kaldane.”
Tara tells Ghek that resistance is futile, but Ghek insists he can only die once, so he might as well try.
Ghek's loyalty and courage are highlighted.
““Manator knows only the laws of Manator,” replied U-Dor; “but come. You shall go with us to the city, where you, being beautiful, need have no fear.””
U-Dor dismisses the laws of Barsoom, asserting Manator's autonomy, and promises Tara safety due to her beauty.
U-Dor's authority and the insular nature of Manator are emphasized.
““By my first ancestor!” he swore; “but it was simple and I a simpleton. They tricked me neatly and have taken me without exposing themselves to a scratch; but for what purpose?””
Turan realizes he was easily deceived and captured without a fight, and wonders why they imprisoned him.
Turan's self-recrimination and confusion about his captors' motives.