The Warlord of Mars · Chapter
III: The Temple of the Sun explained
John Carter fights two therns in a corridor, aided by Woola who kills them.
What happens
John Carter fights two therns in a corridor, aided by Woola who kills them. He then discovers the base of the Temple of the Sun and finds a door opened by a light-based lock, using a formula from Thurid's torch. Woola insists on a different path, leading them away from the spiral stairway.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Disguise
John Carter dons Lakor's wig and harness to masquerade as a Holy Thern.
Courage in the Face of Death
John Carter fights two therns alone, nearly dying from Lakor's trick.
Love and Loyalty
Woola's fierce loyalty saves John Carter; John Carter's affection for Woola prevents him from harming the calot even when mad.
Characters to notice
- John Carter
Narrator and protagonist; fights therns, discovers the temple entrance, and deciphers the light-lock combination.
- Woola
Loyal calot; kills the two therns, then later drags John Carter away from the spiral stairway toward a different corridor.
- Lakor
Holy Thern; killed by Woola after tripping John Carter with a belt.
- Thurid
Black dator; his torch with the light combination is found and used by John Carter.
- Matai Shang
Father of Therns; mentioned as having possibly used the same entrance.
Key passages
“There was nothing for it now other than to fight; nor did I have any advantage as I sprang, sword in hand, into the corridor before the two therns, for my untimely sneeze had warned them of my presence and they were ready for me.”
John Carter had no choice but to fight, but his sneeze alerted the therns, costing him the element of surprise.
Opening of the chapter; sets up the combat.
“Before I could call him off he had crushed Lakor into a jelly with a single blow of one mighty paw, and had literally torn the other thern to ribbons; yet when I spoke to him sharply he cowed sheepishly as though he had done a thing to deserve censure and chastisement.”
Woola killed both therns instantly, then acted meek when scolded.
Highlights Woola's ferocity and loyalty.
“For fifty tals I let three units of light shine full in the pinhole, then one unit for one xat, and for twenty-five tals nine units.”
John Carter used the light combination from Thurid's torch to open the door.
Key moment of problem-solving using the light-lock.