# XV: The Old Man of the Pits explained — The Chessmen of Mars

> Chapter companion for The Chessmen of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

## What happens

Turan carries Tara into the pits of O-Tar to escape capture, while Ghek uses his hypnotic power to spare O-Tar's life. O-Tar, shaken, orders them to win freedom in the Jetan games. In the pits, Turan confesses his love for Tara, who rebuffs him. They meet an old man who preserves the dead, revealing the macabre customs of Manator.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Sacrifice

Turan risks his life for Tara and confesses his love, while Tara's denial is a sacrifice to protect him.

### Courage and Resilience

Ghek's hypnotic stand and Turan's daring escape demonstrate courage under threat.

### Justice and Tyranny

O-Tar's arbitrary justice and U-Thor's challenge highlight the tension between tyranny and fairness.

## Character check-ins

### Tara of Helium

Refuses to abandon Ghek, is carried into the pits by Turan, and rebuffs Turan's romantic advances.

### Gahan of Gathol

Disguised as Turan the panthan, he carries Tara to safety and confesses his love for her.

### Ghek

Hypnotizes O-Tar to save his friends, then is returned to the pits.

### O-Tar

Spared by Ghek, he orders the prisoners to win freedom in the Jetan games, but loses prestige.

### U-Thor

Scorns O-Tar's cowardice and defends the Gatholian slaves.

### U-Dor

Ordered by O-Tar to dispatch searchers for the fugitives.

## Key lines

> I shall not desert you, Ghek, said Tara of Helium, simply.

Tara of Helium firmly declares she will not abandon Ghek.

_Tara's loyalty to Ghek despite the danger._

> You would dare thus defile a princess of Helium?

Tara angrily accuses Turan of disrespecting her royal status.

_Tara's reaction to Turan's kiss._

> I would dare love Tara of Helium; but I would not dare defile her or any woman with kisses that were not prompted by love of her alone.

Turan asserts his love is genuine and not meant to dishonor her.

_Turan's declaration of pure love._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/xv-the-old-man-of-the-pits
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters