# Black Despair explained — The Gods of Mars

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

## What happens

John Carter is brought before Zat Arras, who offers him freedom in exchange for supporting his claim to become Jeddak of Helium, but Carter refuses, condemning him as a traitor. He is thrown into the pits beneath Helium, chained among skeletons. Later, Carthoris rescues him after a scheme involving Hor Vastus and Parthak reveals his location. They escape and reunite with allies, learning of thern spies among the guards and preparing to move toward Hastor to save Dejah Thoris.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Manipulation

Zat Arras attempts to manipulate John Carter with a false offer of freedom; therns disguise themselves as red men to infiltrate Helium.

### Heroism and Honor

John Carter refuses a dishonorable alliance with Zat Arras, choosing imprisonment over betraying Helium and his family.

### Freedom vs. Oppression

John Carter is unjustly imprisoned in the dark pits, symbolizing oppression, while his rescue and escape represent the fight for freedom.

## Character check-ins

### John Carter

Refuses Zat Arras's offer, is imprisoned in the pits, and later rescued by Carthoris.

### Zat Arras

Offers John Carter freedom in exchange for supporting his bid to become Jeddak of Helium, then orders him to the pits.

### Carthoris

Rescues John Carter from the pits after a clever scheme involving Hor Vastus and Parthak.

### Xodar

Devises the plan to extract John Carter's location from Parthak and exposes a thern spy.

### Hor Vastus

Disguises himself as a Zodangan soldier to gain Parthak's trust and learn John Carter's cell location.

### Tars Tarkas

Present in the audience chamber when John Carter returns and participates in the planning.

## Key lines

> There can be no alliance between a traitor to Helium and a prince of the House of Tardos Mors.

John Carter refuses Zat Arras's offer, declaring that a traitor cannot ally with a loyal prince.

_Demonstrates Carter's unwavering honor and loyalty to Helium._

> Into the silence and darkness of the pits you will enter upon your reflection this night with the knowledge that should you fail within a reasonable time to agree to the alternative which has been offered you, never shall you emerge from the darkness and the silence again.

Zat Arras threatens John Carter with eternal imprisonment in the pits if he does not accept the deal.

_Highlights the oppressive power Zat Arras holds and the stakes of Carter's refusal._

> Fortunate indeed it is for us that he did not escape.

Xodar remarks on the luck of catching the thern spy before he could flee.

_Reveals the ongoing threat of thern infiltration and the importance of vigilance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xix-black-despair
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters