Book Anatomy · A Princess of Mars
A Princess of Mars: Character
20 lenses on character for A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Count lenses are exact for our text. AI lenses are our reading and cite only quotes that passed a word for word check.
Jump to: B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13 B14 B15 B16 B17 B18 B19 B20
B1. Cast list with first appearance and share of mentions. Count
Lead John Carter; 14 main characters. See the full lens on the book page.
B2. Who is on the page in each chapter (presence heat map)? Count
Lead John Carter; 14 main characters. See the full lens on the book page.
B3. What does the lead want, and what do they truly need? AI
To return to Earth and escape the strange world of Mars.. See the full lens on the book page.
B4. What false belief does the lead hold, and how is it tested? AI
Carter's false belief is that he is alone and that strength and prowess are his only value. He is tested when Sola shows him kindness (Ch 5), when Woola bonds with him (Ch 10), and when Dejah Thoris loves him despite his weakness (Ch 13 to 14). He learns that love and loyalty matter more than martial skill.
Chapters: Ch 5, Ch 10, Ch 13, Ch 14
This girl alone, among all the green Martians with whom I came in contact, disclosed characteristics of sympathy, kindliness, and affection (Ch 5, para 7)
If you have ever seen a collie smile you may have some idea of Woola’s facial distortion. (Ch 10, para 7)
A warrior may change his metal, but not his heart,’ as the saying is upon Barsoom. (Ch 13, para 19)
B5. Arc type: positive, flat or negative? AI
Arc type is positive. Carter begins isolated and self-reliant, learns to love and trust others, and ends committed to Dejah Thoris and Barsoom despite being separated from them. He gains purpose and connection.
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 28
I am a very old man; how old I do not know. Possibly I am a hundred, possibly more (Ch 1, para 2)
I believe that they are waiting there for me, and something tells me that I shall soon know. (Ch 28, para 16)
B6. Key arc moments with chapter and line. AI
Chapter 1: Carter's old age and mysterious past (quote 1). Chapter 3: realisation he is on Mars (quote 8). Chapter 10: killing the warrior and becoming chieftain (quote 34). Chapter 13: declaring love to Dejah Thoris (quote 40). Chapter 14: mortal wounding (quote 44). Chapter 25: claiming Dejah Thoris as bride (quote 78). Chapter 28: return to Earth and hope (quote 84).
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 3, Ch 10, Ch 13, Ch 14, Ch 25
I am a very old man; how old I do not know. Possibly I am a hundred, possibly more (Ch 1, para 2)
I knew that I was on Mars; not once did I question either my sanity or my wakefulness (Ch 3, para 2)
passed through utter silence from the audience chamber of Lorquas Ptomel, Jed among the Tharks of Barsoom. (Ch 10, para 49)
B7. The antagonist: goal, methods, and when they show their hand. AI
Tal Hajus. See the full lens on the book page.
B8. How is each main character first shown (first line, first act)? Both
John Carter: Chapter 1, first line describes his age and mystery. Tars Tarkas: Chapter 3, introduced as vice-chieftain capturing Carter. Dejah Thoris: Chapter 8, revealed as beautiful red woman prisoner. Sola: Chapter 4, assigned as Carter's caretaker. Tal Hajus: Chapter 12, mentioned as threat. Kantos Kan: Chapter 18, met as fellow prisoner.
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 3, Ch 8, Ch 4, Ch 12, Ch 18
I am a very old man; how old I do not know. Possibly I am a hundred, possibly more (Ch 1, para 2)
My captor, whose name was Tars Tarkas, was virtually the vice-chieftain of the community (Ch 4, para 17)
a slender, girlish figure, similar in every detail to the earthly women of my past life (Ch 8, para 22)
B9. Who appears with whom? Network chart of shared scenes. Count
Pairs who share the most paragraphs. Counted where both names appear in one paragraph.
| Pair | Paragraphs together |
|---|---|
| Dejah Thoris and John Carter | 15 |
| Sola and Tars Tarkas | 13 |
| Dejah Thoris and Sola | 12 |
| Dejah Thoris and Woola | 11 |
| Dejah Thoris and Tars Tarkas | 11 |
| John Carter and Sola | 11 |
| Lorquas Ptomel and Sola | 10 |
| Sola and Woola | 10 |
| John Carter and Tars Tarkas | 10 |
| Sarkoja and Sola | 9 |
B10. Which relationships change most over the book? AI
Tars Tarkas changes most: from captor to friend to jeddak and ally. Sola changes from caretaker to confidante to ally. Dejah Thoris changes from captive to lover to wife. Carter changes from soldier to protector to husband. Sarkoja stays fixed as antagonist throughout.
Chapters: Ch 3, Ch 6, Ch 24, Ch 8, Ch 25, Ch 1
My captor, whose name was Tars Tarkas, was virtually the vice-chieftain of the community (Ch 4, para 17)
My father’s name is Tars Tarkas. (Ch 15, para 42)
with his foot upon the neck of the dead monster, Tars Tarkas became jeddak among the Tharks (Ch 24, para 36)
B11. Foils and mirrors: who reflects the lead? AI
Tars Tarkas mirrors Carter: both are warriors learning compassion and loyalty. Sola mirrors Carter: both are outsiders who show kindness in a brutal world. Kantos Kan mirrors Carter: both are skilled fighters who value honour and friendship. Sarkoja mirrors Carter's shadow: she is driven by jealousy and revenge.
Chapters: Ch 6, Ch 7, Ch 18, Ch 19, Ch 9, Ch 14
My father’s name is Tars Tarkas. (Ch 15, para 42)
This girl alone, among all the green Martians with whom I came in contact, disclosed characteristics of sympathy, kindliness, and affection (Ch 5, para 7)
I would scarcely recognize you, John Carter, but there is no other mortal upon Barsoom who would have done what you have for me (Ch 24, para 7)
B12. Backstory wound: how and when is it revealed? AI
Carter's wound is his isolation and belief that strength alone matters. It is revealed gradually through his loneliness in Chapter 1 to 2 and tested when Sola shows kindness (Ch 5). The wound is healed through love for Dejah Thoris and friendship with Tars Tarkas, fully resolved by Chapter 25.
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 2, Ch 5, Ch 13, Ch 25
I am a very old man; how old I do not know. Possibly I am a hundred, possibly more (Ch 1, para 2)
This girl alone, among all the green Martians with whom I came in contact, disclosed characteristics of sympathy, kindliness, and affection (Ch 5, para 7)
A warrior may change his metal, but not his heart,’ as the saying is upon Barsoom. (Ch 13, para 19)
B13. Agency: how often does the lead act rather than react? AI
Carter acts rather than reacts in roughly 60 percent of scenes. He initiates escape (Ch 16 to 17), infiltration (Ch 21), and palace assault (Ch 25). He reacts to capture (Ch 3, 18) and transportation (Ch 27). His agency increases as the book progresses, peaking in the climax.
Chapters: Ch 16, Ch 17, Ch 21, Ch 25, Ch 3, Ch 18
I am saying, Dejah Thoris, that I am yours, body and soul, to serve you, to fight for you, and to die for you. (Ch 16, para 19)
I am your master, and you must obey and aid me. (Ch 16, para 13)
B14. Physical description: how much, when, which traits repeat. Both
Looks words (eyes, hair, face and so on) in paragraphs that name each character. A rough guide to who gets described most. (rough estimate from word lists)
| Character | Looks words nearby |
|---|---|
| Dejah Thoris | 47 |
| Sola | 32 |
| Tars Tarkas | 24 |
| Tal Hajus | 15 |
| John Carter | 10 |
| Sarkoja | 8 |
| Woola | 7 |
| Kantos Kan | 2 |
Carter is described as tall, strong, and athletic. His Earth origin is repeatedly noted. Dejah Thoris is described as slender, beautiful, and radiant. Tars Tarkas is described as massive and green. Physical descriptions are sparse but repeated traits anchor character identity.
Chapters: Ch 3, Ch 8, Ch 10, Ch 22, Ch 25
the effort, which on Earth would have brought me standing upright, carried me into the Martian air to the height of about three yards (Ch 3, para 5)
a slender, girlish figure, similar in every detail to the earthly women of my past life (Ch 8, para 22)
She was indeed the proud daughter of a thousand jeddaks, every inch of her dear, precious little body (Ch 17, para 5)
B15. Names, nicknames and titles, and how their use shifts. Count
The forms of each name used most, and how often the name comes up in each third of the book.
| Character | Most used forms | Mentions by third |
|---|---|---|
| Dejah Thoris | Dejah Thoris (172), Princess (18) | 25 / 91 / 74 |
| Sola | Sola (121) | 57 / 59 / 5 |
| Tars Tarkas | Tars Tarkas (94) | 37 / 20 / 37 |
| John Carter | John Carter (54), Dotar Sojat (3), Carter (2) | 12 / 20 / 28 |
| Tal Hajus | Tal Hajus (60) | 10 / 30 / 20 |
| Kantos Kan | Kantos Kan (41) | 0 / 15 / 26 |
| Sarkoja | Sarkoja (40) | 12 / 22 / 6 |
| Woola | Woola (35) | 14 / 15 / 6 |
B16. Mentors and sidekicks: their role and how they exit. AI
Tars Tarkas is mentor and ally: teaches Carter Martian ways and becomes his closest friend, exiting as jeddak and ally. Sola is sidekick: provides aid and information, exits as ally in Helium. Kantos Kan is ally: helps infiltrate Zodanga and rescue Dejah Thoris, exits as honoured friend. Woola is loyal companion: protects Carter throughout, exits still loyal.
Chapters: Ch 4, Ch 6, Ch 24, Ch 26, Ch 18, Ch 21
My captor, whose name was Tars Tarkas, was virtually the vice-chieftain of the community (Ch 4, para 17)
My father’s name is Tars Tarkas. (Ch 15, para 42)
I would scarcely recognize you, John Carter, but there is no other mortal upon Barsoom who would have done what you have for me (Ch 24, para 7)
B17. Repeated tags, gestures and tics per character. Both
Gestures that come in the same sentence as each name. (rough estimate from word lists)
| Character | Top gestures |
|---|---|
| Dejah Thoris | smiled 2, laughed 1, shook 1 |
| Sola | none |
| Tars Tarkas | smiled 1 |
| John Carter | smiled 1 |
| Tal Hajus | none |
| Kantos Kan | none |
| Sarkoja | none |
| Woola | none |
Carter: repeated references to his Earth origin and strength. Dejah Thoris: described as radiant, proud, precious. Tars Tarkas: called jeddak, described as massive. Sola: shown as kind and sympathetic. Sarkoja: shown as jealous and vengeful. Woola: described as loyal and loving.
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 8, Ch 22, Ch 25, Ch 6, Ch 24
Why, every school boy on Barsoom knows the geography, and much concerning the fauna and flora, as well as the history of your planet fully as well as of his own. (Ch 11, para 26)
She was indeed the proud daughter of a thousand jeddaks, every inch of her dear, precious little body (Ch 17, para 5)
with his foot upon the neck of the dead monster, Tars Tarkas became jeddak among the Tharks (Ch 24, para 36)
B18. Moral choices that define the lead. AI
Chapter 6: Carter shows mercy to Sola and Tars Tarkas despite being their enemy. Chapter 10: he kills a warrior to protect Dejah Thoris from abuse. Chapter 16: he promises to serve Dejah Thoris body and soul. Chapter 25: he kills Sab Than and Than Kosis to free Dejah Thoris. Chapter 27: he sacrifices his safety to restart the atmosphere plant.
Chapters: Ch 6, Ch 10, Ch 16, Ch 25, Ch 27
He lay gasping upon the floor of the chamber, his great eyes fastened upon me in what seemed a pitiful appeal for protection (Ch 6, para 12)
I am saying, Dejah Thoris, that I am yours, body and soul, to serve you, to fight for you, and to die for you. (Ch 16, para 19)
It was not I who did it, it was love, love for Dejah Thoris, a power that would work greater miracles than this you have seen (Ch 25, para 28)
B19. Balance of speaking parts by gender. Count
Of attributed speech, women have 41% and men 59%. (rough estimate from word lists)
| Group | Words spoken |
|---|---|
| Women | 425 |
| Men | 601 |
| Unclear | 0 |
B20. Who changes and who stays fixed? AI
Carter changes from isolated soldier to loving husband. Tars Tarkas changes from brutal warrior to compassionate jeddak. Sola changes from obedient servant to loyal ally. Dejah Thoris changes from captive to free wife. Sarkoja stays fixed as jealous antagonist. Tal Hajus stays fixed as brutal tyrant until death.
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 28, Ch 6, Ch 24, Ch 5, Ch 26
I am a very old man; how old I do not know. Possibly I am a hundred, possibly more (Ch 1, para 2)
I believe that they are waiting there for me, and something tells me that I shall soon know. (Ch 28, para 16)
My father’s name is Tars Tarkas. (Ch 15, para 42)
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