# Through Flood and Flame explained — The Gods of Mars

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

## What happens

John Carter leads his forces through a submerged passage to the Temple of Issus, but they face a rising flood from Omean and a fire in the pits. After splitting his men to escape the flood, he ventures alone through a submerged corridor, emerging into a chamber where he finds Dejah Thoris.

## Themes in this chapter

### Heroism and Honor

John Carter's selfless actions to save his men and his determination to rescue Dejah Thoris exemplify heroism.

### Love and Sacrifice

John Carter risks his life repeatedly for the chance to save Dejah Thoris.

### Deception and Manipulation

The flood and fire are revealed to be traps set by the temple's guardians.

## Character check-ins

### John Carter

Leads the expedition, commands the troops, and ultimately finds Dejah Thoris.

### Carthoris

Guides the troops through the tunnels and warns of the rising flood.

### Dejah Thoris

Found by John Carter in a chamber of the temple.

### Yersted

Provided information that spurred John Carter to action.

### Kantos Kan

Mentioned as father of Djor Kantos, who aids John Carter.

## Key lines

> Yersted’s information convinced me that there was no time to be lost. I must reach the Temple of Issus secretly before the forces under Tars Tarkas assaulted at dawn.

Yersted's intelligence spurred John Carter to act immediately, aiming to infiltrate the Temple of Issus before Tars Tarkas's dawn attack.

_Sets the urgency for the chapter's events._

> The pumps of Omean have been stopped. They would drown us like rats in a trap.

Carthoris realizes the flood is intentional, meant to drown them.

_Reveals the trap set by the temple's defenders._

> I opened my arms and took into them once more the woman I loved—Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium.

John Carter finally reunites with Dejah Thoris.

_Climactic reunion after the harrowing journey._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xxi-through-flood-and-flame
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters