# In the Hands of the Va-Gas explained — The Moon Maid

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

## What happens

Julian and Orthis are captured by the Va-Gas after a desperate fight. They are brought to a village where they witness cannibalistic feasting on the dead and learn about the brutal social structure of their captors, who rely on raiding and flesh for survival.

## Themes in this chapter

### Survival and Resilience

Julian and Orthis endure capture, torture, and the threat of being eaten, relying on their wits and weapons.

### Colonialism and Alien Invasion

Earth men are treated as alien prey, subverting the typical colonial dynamic.

## Character check-ins

### Julian

Narrates the capture and observations of Va-Gas society.

### Orthis

Fights alongside Julian and is captured with him.

### Va-gas

The captors; a warlike race that practices cannibalism and raids for food.

## Key lines

> We ran then, ran as neither of us had imagined human beings ever could run. I know that I covered over fifty feet in many a leap, but by comparison with the speed of the things behind us, we might have been standing still.

They fled with superhuman speed, yet the Va-Gas were far faster, leaping hundreds of feet at a bound.

_Highlights the physical disparity between humans and lunar beings._

> They hurled spears at us, but I think the sound of our revolvers and the effect of the shots had to some measure unnerved them, for their aim was poor and we were not, at any time, seriously menaced.

The Va-Gas' spear throws were inaccurate, likely due to fear of the guns.

_Shows the psychological impact of Earth technology._

> I was horrified to see that every time one of the creatures fell, the nearest of his companions leaped upon him and cut his throat from ear to ear.

The Va-Gas killed their own wounded immediately.

_Illustrates the brutal pragmatism of the Va-Gas._

> They fell upon them and commenced to devour them, the warriors joining them in the gruesome and terrible feast.

The Va-Gas ate the bodies of their dead comrades.

_Confirms their cannibalistic nature._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_moon_maid_se/chapters/iv-in-the-hands-of-the-va-gas
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_moon_maid_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_moon_maid_se/chapters