Book Anatomy · A Princess of Mars
A Princess of Mars: Setting and world
13 lenses on setting and world 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: I1 I2 I3 I4 I5 I6 I7 I8 I9 I10 I11 I12 I13
I1. Places named and how often each appears. Count
Helium is the place named most, 107 times.
| Place | Mentions | Chapters |
|---|---|---|
| Helium | 107 | 15 |
| Barsoom | 77 | 16 |
| Mars | 69 | 22 |
| Zodanga | 52 | 8 |
| Thark | 49 | 15 |
| palace | 44 | 8 |
| incubator | 29 | 8 |
| Warhoon | 15 | 6 |
| arena | 13 | 4 |
| Arizona | 10 | 4 |
| dead city | 4 | 4 |
| atmosphere factory | 1 | 1 |
I2. Setting by chapter, as a map. Both
The place named most in each chapter. A rough setting map. (rough estimate from word lists)
| Chapter | Place named most |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona |
| 2 | Arizona |
| 3 | Mars |
| 4 | Mars |
| 5 | Mars |
| 6 | Mars |
| 7 | incubator |
| 8 | Mars |
| 9 | Mars |
| 10 | Mars |
| 11 | Barsoom |
| 12 | Mars |
| 13 | Barsoom |
| 14 | Barsoom |
Arizona cave (Chapters 1 to 2), Mars surface and dead city (Chapters 3 to 7), Thark horde journey (Chapters 8 to 17), Warhoon territory (Chapters 18 to 19), desert and atmosphere factory (Chapter 20), Zodanga city (Chapters 21 to 25), Helium (Chapter 26), back to Arizona cave (Chapters 27 to 28).
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 3, Ch 8, Ch 18, Ch 20, Ch 21
I3. Setting shown in blocks or woven into action? AI
Setting is woven into action. Carter discovers Martian geography by moving through it, not through exposition. The dead city is revealed as he explores it. Thark customs emerge through participation in daily life and ceremonies rather than description blocks.
Chapters: Ch 3, Ch 4, Ch 7, Ch 16
the buildings were deserted, and while not greatly decayed had the appearance of not having been tenanted for years, possibly for ages (Ch 4, para 4)
in a week I could make all my wants known and understand nearly everything that was said to me (Ch 7, para 24)
I4. Weather and light used for mood. Both
Weather and light words: 1.65 per 1,000 words.
Weather and light words, chapter by chapter
Martian night brings chill and danger, used to heighten romance in Chapter 13. The dead cities feel ancient and empty. Daylight enables action and battle. Weather is sparse but light and darkness mark emotional shifts, especially in the final chapters.
Chapters: Ch 13, Ch 17, Ch 27, Ch 28
The chill of the Martian night was upon us, and removing my silks I threw them across the shoulders of Dejah Thoris. (Ch 13, para 39)
I was looking upon Arizona from the same ledge from which ten years before I had gazed with longing upon Mars (Ch 28, para 8)
I5. The social world: class, money, rules. AI
Martian society is rigidly hierarchical with jeddaks at the top, chieftains below, and common warriors at the base. Dejah Thoris is a princess, giving her high status. Money is not mentioned; power comes from martial prowess and position. Thark society is brutal meritocracy.
Chapters: Ch 4, Ch 7, Ch 12, Ch 21, Ch 26
My captor, whose name was Tars Tarkas, was virtually the vice-chieftain of the community (Ch 4, para 17)
You have been with us a few days, yet during that time you have by your prowess won a high position among us. (Ch 12, para 3)
I6. Rules of the world (magic, science) and when each is shown. AI
Science rules Mars: telepathy, air machines, atmosphere factories, and lower gravity are explained as natural Martian physics. Magic is absent. The rules are shown through use rather than exposition, especially the telepathic lock in Chapter 20 and air machines in Chapters 21 to 23.
Chapters: Ch 3, Ch 20, Ch 21, Ch 23
Concentrating my mind upon the massive lock I hurled the nine thought waves against it. (Ch 20, para 40)
The building in which I found myself contained the machinery which produces that artificial atmosphere which sustains life on Mars. (Ch 20, para 21)
I7. Lore: dripped in or dumped? AI
Lore is dripped in gradually through conversation and observation. Dejah Thoris teaches Carter Martian history in Chapter 11. Sola reveals family secrets in Chapter 15. The atmosphere factory's purpose is discovered in Chapter 20. No large exposition dumps occur.
Chapters: Ch 11, Ch 15, Ch 20
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)
My father’s name is Tars Tarkas. (Ch 15, para 42)
I8. Real history used, and how. AI
Real history is not used. The book is set on Mars with invented history and geography. Carter's Earth background is mentioned but not detailed. The story creates its own world without anchoring to actual historical events.
I9. Journeys: distance and time taken. Both
Carter travels from Arizona to Mars instantly in Chapter 2. The Thark horde journeys for weeks to reach Thark in Chapter 16. Carter wanders the desert for weeks in Chapter 20. He travels to Zodanga in Chapter 21. The final journey back to Earth is instant in Chapter 27.
Chapters: Ch 2, Ch 16, Ch 20, Ch 21, Ch 27
I closed my eyes, stretched out my arms toward the god of my vocation and felt myself drawn with the suddenness of thought through the trackless immensity of space (Ch 2, para 20)
That I was glad of his companionship it is needless to say, but my pleasure at seeing him was tempered by anxiety as to the reason of his leaving Dejah Thoris. (Ch 20, para 6)
I10. Objects that matter, where they appear. Both
sword is the object named most.
| Object | Mentions | Chapters |
|---|---|---|
| sword | 42 | 13 |
| incubator | 29 | 8 |
| thoat | 19 | 8 |
| chariot | 11 | 4 |
| atmosphere plant | 4 | 2 |
Woola the watch creature appears from Chapter 4 onwards and becomes Carter's loyal companion. Air machines are crucial in Chapters 21 to 23. The atmosphere factory controls Mars's survival in Chapters 20 and 27. Dejah Thoris's jewels and silks mark her status. Weapons define warrior identity.
Chapters: Ch 4, Ch 10, Ch 20, Ch 21, Ch 27
It waddled in on its ten short legs, and squatted down before the girl like an obedient puppy (Ch 4, para 29)
The building in which I found myself contained the machinery which produces that artificial atmosphere which sustains life on Mars. (Ch 20, para 21)
I11. Density of period detail. AI
Period detail is moderate. Martian weapons, thoats, and air machines are described functionally. Clothing and customs are mentioned but not exhaustively detailed. The focus is on action and emotion rather than worldbuilding minutiae. Details serve the plot.
Chapters: Ch 3, Ch 4, Ch 7, Ch 21
A huge craft, long, low, and gray-painted, swung slowly over the crest of the nearest hill (Ch 8, para 3)
Strapped on either breast were human skulls and depending from these a number of dried human hands. (Ch 18, para 7)
I12. Setting as an enemy. AI
Mars itself is an enemy through its harsh desert, thin air, and hostile creatures. The dead cities are isolating. The atmosphere factory's failure in Chapter 27 threatens all life. Gravity and distance separate Carter from Earth. The planet tests Carter's survival.
Chapters: Ch 17, Ch 20, Ch 27
The building in which I found myself contained the machinery which produces that artificial atmosphere which sustains life on Mars. (Ch 20, para 21)
I sank unconscious upon the ground. (Ch 27, para 49)
I13. Indoors against outdoors. Both
Indoor words outnumber outdoor words 169 to 105. (rough estimate from word lists)
Indoor share %, chapter by chapter
The book alternates between outdoor action and indoor scenes. Battles and journeys dominate Chapters 3 to 6 and 17 to 25. Indoor scenes occur in the dead city, Thark quarters, and Zodanga palace. Outdoor settings enable action; indoor settings enable intimacy and plotting.
Chapters: Ch 3, Ch 11, Ch 21, Ch 25
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