# The Gods of Mars explained — The Gods of Mars

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

## What happens

John Carter, having escaped the Temple of the Sun, finds himself in a strange and perilous part of Mars. He encounters the Plant Men and the White Apes, and is eventually captured and taken before the Holy Therns, where he learns more about the false gods of Mars and the oppressive religious hierarchy that controls the planet.

## Themes in this chapter

### Illusion vs. Reality

The Valley Dor is revealed as a deadly illusion, not a paradise, challenging the religious dogma of Mars.

### Deception and Manipulation

The Holy Therns use false promises of an afterlife to control and exploit the Martian population.

## Character check-ins

### John Carter

The protagonist, navigating the dangers of the Valley Dor and confronting the Therns.

### Tars Tarkas

Mentioned as a friend and ally, though not present in this chapter.

### Thuvia

A captive of the Therns, encountered by John Carter.

### Matai Shang

The leader of the Holy Therns, who interrogates John Carter.

## Key lines

> I had been upon Mars for three years, and in that time I had learned to speak the language of the green men, and to read the strange hieroglyphics of the red men.

John Carter has spent three years on Mars, becoming fluent in the languages of both the green and red Martians.

_Establishes John Carter's adaptation to Martian society._

> The Valley Dor was a place of horror, not of peace. It was a trap for the unwary, a place of death and despair.

The supposed paradise of the Valley Dor is actually a deadly trap, not a peaceful afterlife.

_Reveals the central deception of the Martian religion._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/the-gods-of-mars
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters