Book Anatomy · A Princess of Mars
A Princess of Mars: Theme and motif
12 lenses on theme and motif 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: J1 J2 J3 J4 J5 J6 J7 J8 J9 J10 J11 J12
J1. Where is the theme first stated, and by whom? AI
The theme of love's power is first stated implicitly in Chapter 2 when Mars calls to Carter. It becomes explicit in Chapter 13 when Carter declares his love to Dejah Thoris. Chapter 25 confirms it: love drives Carter's greatest actions and miracles.
Chapters: Ch 2, Ch 13, Ch 25
it seemed to call across the unthinkable void, to lure me to it, to draw me as the lodestone attracts a particle of iron (Ch 2, 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)
J2. The theme question, and how each subplot answers it. AI
The theme question is: can love overcome duty and social hierarchy? Dejah Thoris's promise to Sab Than tests this in Chapter 22. Sola's parents' forbidden love in Chapter 15 shows love's cost. Tars Tarkas's hidden love for Sola's mother in Chapter 24 shows love's redemptive power.
Chapters: Ch 15, Ch 22, Ch 24
My father’s name is Tars Tarkas. (Ch 15, para 42)
I am as good as married, John Carter. No longer may you call me your princess. No longer are you my chieftain. (Ch 22, para 42)
J3. Motif tracker: recurring images by chapter. Both
Death and resurrection, Kindness versus cruelty, Loyalty and sacrifice. See the full lens on the book page.
J4. Symbols, and how their meaning shifts. AI
Mars shifts from alien threat to beloved home. Earth shifts from home to prison. Dejah Thoris shifts from captive to equal partner. Woola shifts from guard to loyal friend. The atmosphere factory shifts from shelter to symbol of duty. Each object gains emotional weight through the narrative.
Chapters: Ch 2, Ch 8, Ch 13, Ch 27, Ch 28
it seemed to call across the unthinkable void, to lure me to it, to draw me as the lodestone attracts a particle of iron (Ch 2, para 19)
I believe that they are waiting there for me, and something tells me that I shall soon know. (Ch 28, para 16)
J5. Theme words and their frequency over the book. Count
Theme words and how often they come in each tenth of the book.
| Word | Total | By tenth |
|---|---|---|
| love | 70 | 0 4 4 4 27 7 1 5 8 10 |
| strength | 15 | 0 3 0 0 2 2 2 3 2 1 |
| duty | 13 | 2 1 2 1 2 0 0 1 4 0 |
| purpose | 12 | 1 0 1 3 1 1 2 2 1 0 |
| cruelty | 7 | 0 0 2 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 |
| loyalty | 5 | 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 |
| freedom | 4 | 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 |
| kindness | 3 | 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 |
| sacrifice | 2 | 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 |
| honour | 0 | 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |
J6. The moral argument: who stands for which side? AI
Carter stands for compassion, loyalty and love. Tal Hajus and Sarkoja stand for cruelty and selfishness. Tars Tarkas evolves from brutality to honour. Dejah Thoris represents civilisation and grace. The moral argument is that kindness and love are stronger than power and fear.
Chapters: Ch 6, Ch 12, Ch 24, Ch 25
a dumb brute which, as I later came to know, held in its poor ugly carcass more love, more loyalty, more gratitude than could have been found in the entire five million green Martians (Ch 6, para 22)
with his foot upon the neck of the dead monster, Tars Tarkas became jeddak among the Tharks (Ch 24, para 36)
J7. The title: its meaning and echoes in the text. Both
How often the key words of the title appear in the text.
| Word | Times |
|---|---|
| Princess | 44 |
| Mars | 69 |
The title refers to Dejah Thoris, the red Martian princess. It echoes throughout as Carter's goal and obsession. The word princess appears in Chapter 8 when he first sees her. The title promises romance and adventure on an alien world, which the book delivers.
Chapters: Ch 8, Ch 25, Ch 28
a slender, girlish figure, similar in every detail to the earthly women of my past life (Ch 8, para 22)
did Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, true daughter of Mars, the God of War, promise herself in marriage to John Carter, Gentleman of Virginia (Ch 25, para 33)
J8. Epigraphs, allusions and borrowed texts. Both
No well known books or writers are named outright. (rough estimate from word lists)
No epigraphs or borrowed texts appear. The book does not reference classical literature or historical texts. It is a standalone adventure narrative without literary allusions.
J9. Opening image against final image. AI
Opening image: Carter in an Arizona cave, dead but conscious, drawn to Mars. Final image: Carter back in the Arizona cave, alive but separated from Dejah Thoris, still drawn to Mars. The circle is complete but unresolved, suggesting eternal longing.
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 28
it seemed to call across the unthinkable void, to lure me to it, to draw me as the lodestone attracts a particle of iron (Ch 2, para 19)
I believe that they are waiting there for me, and something tells me that I shall soon know. (Ch 28, para 16)
J10. Pairs and contrasts, such as light and dark. Both
Counts of each side of the main contrasts.
| Pair | First word | Second word |
|---|---|---|
| Earth / Mars | 0 | 0 |
| green / red | 105 | 58 |
| cruelty / kindness | 7 | 3 |
| captivity / freedom | 3 | 4 |
Light and dark mark emotional states. Martian night brings danger and romance. Darkness in the cave and dungeons represents captivity. Daylight enables action and clarity. The contrast between Earth's darkness and Mars's light reflects Carter's emotional journey.
Chapters: Ch 2, Ch 13, Ch 18, 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)
J11. Core values at stake: life, love, justice, truth. AI
Life is at stake when the atmosphere factory fails in Chapter 27. Love drives all major actions from Chapter 13 onwards. Justice is questioned through Thark brutality and Zodangan tyranny. Truth emerges through Sola's revelations and Carter's discoveries. All four values are central.
Chapters: Ch 13, Ch 20, Ch 24, Ch 27
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)
I believe that they are waiting there for me, and something tells me that I shall soon know. (Ch 28, para 16)
J12. What the book leaves open on purpose. AI
The book leaves open whether Carter will return to Mars and whether Dejah Thoris survived. It leaves unclear the nature of Carter's mysterious transportation. The ending is deliberately ambiguous, inviting readers to imagine the continuation.
Chapters: Ch 27, Ch 28
I believe that they are waiting there for me, and something tells me that I shall soon know. (Ch 28, para 16)
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