The Gods of Mars · Chapter
The Eyes in the Dark explained
John Carter discovers that the handsome youth he has been traveling with is his son, Carthoris, whom he fathered with Dejah Thoris before being transported to Earth.
What happens
John Carter discovers that the handsome youth he has been traveling with is his son, Carthoris, whom he fathered with Dejah Thoris before being transported to Earth. After a heartfelt reunion, the damaged flier forces them to land in a desolate region. They encounter Thuvia, who professes her love for John Carter, but he gently rebuffs her. Later, John Carter becomes lost in dark underground passages beneath a dead city, pursued by silent, unseen creatures with glowing eyes.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Sacrifice
John Carter's enduring love for Dejah Thoris, Carthoris's devotion to his mother, and Thuvia's selfless offer to serve as a slave highlight themes of love and sacrifice.
Alien Nature and Survival
The harsh Martian landscape, the damaged flier, and the terrifying unseen creatures in the dark pits emphasize survival in an alien world.
Characters to notice
- John Carter
Reunited with his son Carthoris, learns of Dejah Thoris's enduring love, and later becomes lost in dark pits pursued by unseen creatures.
- Carthoris
Revealed as John Carter's son, named by combining his parents' names; describes his mother's sadness and Helium's reverence for John Carter.
- Xodar
Assists with the damaged flier and alerts John Carter to the worsening leak of repulsive rays.
- Thuvia
Finds John Carter and passionately declares her love, offering to serve as his slave; he gently refuses her advances.
- Tars Tarkas
Mentioned as a prisoner being taken to an audience chamber, presumably for sentencing.
Key passages
“My son! I could not believe my ears. Slowly I rose and faced the handsome youth.”
John Carter is astonished to learn that the young man before him is his son.
The moment of recognition between father and son.
“Your first words to me—they were of my mother. None else but the man who loved her as she has told me my father did would have thought first of her.”
Carthoris explains that John Carter's immediate concern for Dejah Thoris convinced him of his father's identity.
Carthoris's reasoning for believing John Carter is his father.
“I would not take the place of Dejah Thoris. My greatest ambition is to serve you, my Prince, forever as your slave.”
Thuvia declares her love for John Carter but insists she only wishes to serve him, not replace his wife.
Thuvia's expression of devotion and selflessness.
“I think that the most fearsome attribute of these awesome creatures is their silence and the fact that one never sees them—nothing but those baleful eyes glaring unblinkingly out of the dark void behind.”
The unseen creatures with glowing eyes are terrifying because of their silence and invisibility.
Description of the horror of the creatures in the dark pits.