# Rewards explained — The Warlord of Mars

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

## What happens

John Carter realizes Dejah Thoris has been taken by Thurid, pursues him through hidden corridors and a frozen landscape, and ultimately rescues her after a confrontation. Phaidor, transformed by witnessing true love, saves John Carter and then sacrifices herself by leaping from the flier.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Loyalty

Phaidor's transformation and self-sacrifice demonstrate a shift from selfish jealousy to selfless love, mirroring the loyalty between John Carter and Dejah Thoris.

### Courage in the Face of Death

John Carter braves the arctic cold and hidden dangers in pursuit of Dejah Thoris, while Phaidor leaps to her death to atone for her sins.

### Deception and Disguise

Thurid's stealthy abduction and use of hidden passages highlight the theme of deception, while John Carter's discovery of the fur garment reveals Thurid's hasty preparations.

## Character check-ins

### John Carter

Pursues Thurid through the palace tunnels and across the arctic landscape to rescue Dejah Thoris.

### Dejah Thoris

Captured by Thurid, dragged through the snow, and bound on the flier before being rescued by John Carter.

### Thurid

The black dator of the First Born who kidnaps Dejah Thoris and flees with her through the tunnels and into the frozen north.

### Phaidor

Assists in restraining Dejah Thoris but later saves John Carter and sacrifices herself by leaping from the flier.

### Matai Shang

Argues with Thurid over Dejah Thoris and participates in dragging her onto the flier.

## Key lines

> With the realization that Dejah Thoris was no longer within the throne room came the belated recollection of the dark face that I had glimpsed peering from behind the draperies that backed the throne of Salensus Oll

John Carter remembers seeing Thurid's face behind the throne just before realizing Dejah Thoris has been taken.

_Highlights the moment of realization and Thurid's role in the abduction._

> Phaidor extended her hand to me and assisted me to the deck, where I stood gazing at her in unconcealed and stupefied wonderment.

Phaidor helps John Carter onto the flier, surprising him with her changed behavior.

_Marks the beginning of Phaidor's transformation._

> With her last word she turned and leaped from the vessel’s deck into the abyss below.

Phaidor jumps to her death to prove her sincerity and atone for her sins.

_Climactic act of self-sacrifice and redemption._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_warlord_of_mars_se/chapters/xv-rewards
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_warlord_of_mars_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_warlord_of_mars_se/chapters