The Gods of Mars · Chapter
A Forest Battle explained
John Carter and Tars Tarkas fight for their lives against a horde of plant men and great white apes in an unknown valley.
What happens
John Carter and Tars Tarkas fight for their lives against a horde of plant men and great white apes in an unknown valley. After a desperate battle, they take refuge inside a hollow tree, but are besieged by their enemies. Carter explores the tree's interior and later discovers that the cliff face, when struck by sunlight, reveals veins of gold and precious gems, along with dark openings that may offer a path of escape.
Themes in this chapter
Heroism and Honor
John Carter and Tars Tarkas display selfless heroism, each willing to sacrifice for the other, and Carter commands the respect of even the greatest Jeddak.
Alien Nature and Survival
The chapter vividly depicts the terrifying plant men and white apes of Barsoom, and the protagonists' struggle to survive in a hostile, unknown valley.
Characters to notice
- John Carter
Fights alongside Tars Tarkas against plant men and white apes; demonstrates leadership and self-sacrifice by insisting Tars Tarkas enter the tree first.
- Tars Tarkas
The great Thark Jeddak fights back-to-back with John Carter; reluctantly accepts Carter's plan to enter the tree and later defends the opening from the mob.
Key passages
“It was ever your way, John Carter, to think last of your own life; but still more your way to command the lives and actions of others, even to the greatest of Jeddaks who rule upon Barsoom.”
Tars Tarkas acknowledges that John Carter always puts others before himself and naturally takes command, even over the most powerful rulers on Mars.
Highlights Carter's leadership and selflessness as recognized by Tars Tarkas.
“To right and left flew my shimmering blade, now green with the sticky juice of a plant man, now red with the crimson blood of a great white ape; but always flying from one opponent to another, hesitating but the barest fraction of a second to drink the lifeblood in the centre of some savage heart.”
Carter's sword moves rapidly, covered with the green sap of plant men and the red blood of white apes, as he fights without pause, killing one enemy after another.
Describes the ferocity and skill of Carter's combat against the horde.