# A Fair Goddess explained — The Gods of Mars

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

## What happens

John Carter, having boarded a pirate cruiser, frees a captive white girl named Phaidor and battles the black pirates. He spares the life of Xodar, a Dator of the First Born, and learns about the ancient origins of the black race. Steering north toward Helium, he challenges the religious beliefs of the therns and the First Born.

## Themes in this chapter

### Illusion vs. Reality

Phaidor's claim of immortality through Issus is contrasted with Xodar's knowing smile, hinting at the falsehood of the thern religion.

### Deception and Manipulation

John Carter initially wears the disguise of a Holy Thern, which he removes to reveal his true identity, exposing the therns' deceptive power.

### Class and Caste

The rigid hierarchy among the therns, First Born, and red men is highlighted through Phaidor's haughty attitude and Xodar's pride in his ancient lineage.

## Character check-ins

### John Carter

Boards the pirate cruiser, frees Phaidor, battles and spares Xodar, learns about the First Born, and steers the vessel toward Helium.

### Phaidor

Daughter of Matai Shang, initially bound on the deck; freed by John Carter, she shows a cruel streak and aids him against the pirates.

### Xodar

Dator of the First Born, captured and bound by John Carter; reveals the history of his race and acknowledges John Carter's superiority.

## Key lines

> I am Phaidor, daughter of Matai Shang, Holy Hekkador of the Holy Therns, Father of Therns, Master of Life and Death upon Barsoom, Brother of Issus, Prince of Life Eternal.

Phaidor introduces herself with her full thern title, claiming authority over life and death.

_Establishes Phaidor's high status and the therns' religious dominance._

> The First Born of Barsoom are the race of black men of which I am a Dator... My race is the oldest on the planet. We trace our lineage, unbroken, direct to the Tree of Life which flourished in the centre of the Valley Dor twenty-three million years ago.

Xodar explains that the black race, the First Born, are the oldest on Barsoom, descending from the Tree of Life.

_Reveals the ancient origin myth of the First Born and their connection to the Valley Dor._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/vii-a-fair-goddess
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters