# Back to Thavas explained — The Master Mind of Mars

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

## What happens

Vad Varo completes the brain transfer restoring Valla Dia to her own body, then restores Dar Tarus and Hovan Du. The group returns to Ras Thavas's island to retrieve the body of Valla Dia, encountering challenges and planning their next move.

## Themes in this chapter

### Identity and Body Transfer

Central to the chapter as characters undergo brain transfers and restoration, exploring the relationship between identity and physical form.

### Love and Sacrifice

Vad Varo risks his life to restore Valla Dia, motivated by love; Valla Dia's gratitude and affection underscore the theme.

### Power and Corruption

Xaxa's tyranny and the manipulation of bodies for political and personal gain highlight the corrupting influence of power.

## Character check-ins

### Valla Dia

Restored to her own body after the brain transfer; expresses gratitude and affection to Vad Varo.

### Dar Tarus

Restored to his own body; assists Vad Varo and comments on his own appearance.

### Gor Hajus

Present as an interested spectator during the operations and part of the group returning to Thavas.

### Xaxa

Bound and gagged; her brain is returned to her old body; attempts to escape and is secured.

### Sag Or

Restored to life and bound; shows disgust and hostility toward Vad Varo.

### Hovan Du

Assists with food and water; communicates with great apes using their language.

## Key lines

> I will not bore you with a description of it⁠—it was but a repetition of what I had done many times in preparation for this very event.

The operation was routine, having been performed many times before.

_Vad Varo downplays the complexity of the brain transfer procedure._

> For those two words I had risked my life and faced unknown dangers, and gladly would I risk my life again for that same reward and always, forever.

Valla Dia's simple words 'my chieftain' made all the risks worthwhile.

_Vad Varo reflects on the emotional reward of his dangerous mission._

> By my first ancestor, it must be that I was the least vain of fellows, for I give you my word I had no idea that I was so fair to look upon.

Dar Tarus jokes that he never realized how handsome his own body was.

_Dar Tarus comments on his restored appearance with humor._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/chapters/xiii-back-to-thavas
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/chapters