# III: Human Quadrupeds explained — The Moon Maid

> Chapter companion for The Moon Maid by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

## What happens

The crew of The Barsoom lands on the Moon and discovers a habitable environment with air, water, and vegetation. They experience the effects of lower lunar gravity, leading to comical mishaps. After collecting water samples and analyzing them, the crew debates the possibility of lunar life. Lieutenant Commander Orthis, under arrest for his earlier actions, pleads for mercy, and the captain agrees to consider the crew's opinion on his fate.

## Themes in this chapter

### Survival and Resilience

The crew adapts to the Moon's low gravity and unfamiliar environment, prioritizing rest and analysis to ensure their safety against unknown threats.

### Technology as a Tool of Destruction

The ship's laboratory and analytical tools are used for survival (water testing), but the threat of Orthis's earlier destructive actions (intoxication and mutiny) looms over the crew's decision-making.

## Character check-ins

### Julian

Captain of The Barsoom; leads the landing party, gives orders for sleep and analysis, and considers Orthis's plea for mercy.

### Norton

Crew member; first to leap from the ship and land in the river due to low gravity; collects water sample.

### Jay

Crew member; comments on the strangeness of lunar gravity and joins in the laughter after the water mishap.

### West

Crew member; remains on watch during the landing, later analyzes the water sample and reports it safe.

### Orthis

Lieutenant Commander under arrest; requests to speak to the captain and pleads for mercy, citing his intoxication and the need for every crew member.

## Key lines

> that he is familiar to us, even to his amphibious habits. And these flying-toads, too; what of them? I see nothing particularly remarkable about them. We have just as strange forms on Earth, though nothing precisely like these. Mars, too, has forms of animal and vegetable life peculiar to herself, yet nothing the existence of which would be impossible upon Earth, and she has, as well, human forms almost identical with our own. You see what I am trying to suggest?

The captain argues that the strange lunar creatures are not fundamentally different from Earth or Martian life, suggesting that similar human-like beings might exist on the Moon.

_The captain speculates about the possibility of intelligent lunar life, drawing parallels to Earth and Mars._

> I am glad," remarked Norton, "that I did not attempt to jump the river⁠—I should have been going yet. Probably landed on the top of some mountain.

Norton jokes that if he had tried to jump the river, the low gravity would have sent him flying far away, possibly onto a mountain.

_The crew's humorous reaction to the unexpected effects of lunar gravity._

> I do not know what has occurred since I was put in irons, as you have instructed the others not to speak to me or answer my questions. I know, of course, however, that the ship is at rest and that pure air is circulating through it, and I have heard the hatch raised and footsteps upon the upper deck. From the time that has elapsed since I was placed under arrest I know that the only planet upon which we have had time to make a landing is the Moon, and so I may guess that we are upon the surface of the Moon.

Orthis deduces that the ship has landed on the Moon based on the time elapsed and the sounds of activity, and he pleads for a second chance.

_Orthis shows awareness of his situation and appeals for mercy, citing the need for every crew member in this new world._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_moon_maid_se/chapters/iii-human-quadrupeds
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_moon_maid_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_moon_maid_se/chapters