At the Moment of Marriage explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Love and Sacrifice

  Tara's willingness to use a hidden blade to avoid marriage to O-Tar, and Gahan's risky impersonation, highlight love's sacrifices.

• Honor and Chivalry

  O-Tar's suicide to redeem his honor, and Djor Kantos's confession, underscore the code of honor among Barsoomian nobles.

• Identity and Disguise

  Gahan's disguise as Turan and as O-Tar, and the revelation of his true identity, drive the chapter's plot.

• Justice and Tyranny

  O-Tar's tyranny is overthrown through exposure of his cowardice, leading to a just new rule under A-Kor.

Characters to notice

• Tara of Helium

  At the brink of forced marriage to O-Tar, she is rescued by Turan's revelation and her father's arrival; later learns Turan is Gahan of Gathol and accepts him.

• Gahan of Gathol

  Disguised as Turan the panthan, he impersonates O-Tar at the wedding, then reveals himself; his true identity as Jed of Gathol is disclosed by a warrior.

• O-Tar

  The jeddak of Manator, exposed as a coward by I-Gos, commits suicide by dagger to redeem his honor.

• I-Gos

  The ancient taxidermist, reveals O-Tar's cowardice and the hidden dagger, leading to O-Tar's downfall.

• John Carter

  Warlord of Barsoom, arrives with forces to rescue his daughter and frees the slaves; later explains Gahan's plan.

• Djor Kantos

  Former betrothed of Tara, confesses he married Olvia Marthis, releasing Tara from their understanding.

• A-Kor

  Proclaimed interim ruler of Manator after O-Tar's death, decrees peace and hospitality.

• U-Thor

  Great Jed of Manatos, supports A-Kor's rule and helps secure the palace.

Key passages

• “it was to make these two man and wife, and directly behind him a richly-clad youth bearing a silken pillow on which lay the golden handcuffs connected by a short length of chain-of-gold with which the ceremony would be concluded when the dignitary clasped a handcuff about the wrist of each symbolizing their indissoluble union in the holy bonds of wedlock.”

  The wedding ceremony would end with golden handcuffs locked on both wrists, symbolizing an unbreakable marriage bond.

  Describes the Barsoomian marriage ritual using golden handcuffs.

• “Stop, coward! cried I-Gos. The people looked at the little old man in amazement. Men of Manator, he cackled in his thin, shrill voice, wouldst be ruled by a coward and a liar?”

  I-Gos shouted for O-Tar to stop, calling him a coward and liar, and asked the people if they wanted such a ruler.

  I-Gos publicly challenges O-Tar's authority.

• “Helium and Gathol are marching through Manator. They cry aloud for the Princess of Helium and swear to leave Manator a blazing funeral pyre consuming the bodies of all our people.”

  The combined forces of Helium and Gathol are advancing through Manator, demanding the princess and threatening to burn the city.

  Announcement of the invading army's ultimatum.

• “There can be but one jeddak in Manator, said the chief who held the dagger; his eyes still fixed upon the hapless O-Tar he crossed to where the latter stood and holding the dagger upon an outstretched palm proffered it to the discredited ruler.”

  A chief offered the dagger to O-Tar, implying he must die to restore honor, as only one jeddak can rule.

  O-Tar is given the chance to die honorably.

• “Jed or panthan, she said; what difference does it make what one's slave has been? and she laughed roguishly into the smiling face of her lover.”

  Tara joked that whether Gahan was a jed or panthan, it didn't matter since he was her slave, laughing playfully.

  Tara accepts Gahan regardless of his true rank.