The Gods of Mars · Chapter
A Break for Liberty explained
John Carter and Xodar plan an escape from the prison island on Omean, discussing the false divinity of Issus and the oppressive system of the First Born.
What happens
John Carter and Xodar plan an escape from the prison island on Omean, discussing the false divinity of Issus and the oppressive system of the First Born. They retrieve a red youth, steal swords, and swim to a fast flier, making a break for freedom.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Manipulation
Issus and the Holy Therns maintain power through lies about divinity and the afterlife, exploiting the credulity of Barsoomians.
Freedom vs. Oppression
John Carter, Xodar, and the red youth risk everything to escape the oppressive rule of the First Born and Issus.
Class and Caste
The First Born are a nonproductive elite who disdain labor, while lower orders are enslaved to support their idleness.
Characters to notice
- John Carter
Plans the escape, retrieves swords, and leads the swim to the flier.
- Xodar
Describes the First Born's nonproductive society and the tunnel to the therns; aids in the escape.
- Tars Tarkas
Mentioned as a great fighter John Carter wishes were with them.
- Issus
Revealed as a wicked old woman manipulating Barsoom through religious ignorance.
- Matai Shang
Mentioned as the head of the Holy Therns, whose temple connects to Issus via a secret tunnel.
Key passages
“It is the final proof... No more is needed to completely shatter the last remnant of my superstitious belief in the divinity of Issus. She is only a wicked old woman, wielding a mighty power for evil through machinations that have kept her own people and all Barsoom in religious ignorance for ages.”
Xodar declares that John Carter's defiance of Issus has finally destroyed his belief in her godhood, seeing her now as a manipulative old woman who uses deception to control Barsoom.
Xodar's disillusionment with Issus marks a key turning point in his allegiance.
“We are a nonproductive race, priding ourselves upon our nonproductiveness. It is criminal for a First Born to labour or invent. That is the work of the lower orders, who live merely that the First Born may enjoy long lives of luxury and idleness.”
Xodar explains that the First Born consider work and invention beneath them, relying on slaves to provide for their endless leisure.
Reveals the parasitic nature of First Born society.