# Dejah Thoris — A Princess of Mars character guide > Dejah Thoris in A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Princess Dejah Thoris, the divine Dejah Thoris **First appearance:** 0010-viii-a-fair-captive-from-the-sky ## Snapshot Princess of Helium, scientist's daughter and heir to a dying empire, she bargains her own body in marriage to spare her people a conquering army. ## Who they are Captured by Tharks and later pledged to a Zodangan prince to halt a war, Dejah Thoris moves through the story as both prize and political weapon. Proud, learned, and bound by Barsoomian honor, she cannot unsay a promise even when the man she loves returns alive to claim her. Her dilemma — duty to Helium against her own heart — gives the middle chapters their ache, and her fate becomes the hinge on which Carter's greatest gamble turns. ## Relationships ### [Sola](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/sola) _friendship_ Sola becomes Dejah Thoris's loyal protector and confidante, offering kindness and guidance in a hostile environment. ### [John Carter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/john_carter) _romantic_ John Carter and Dejah Thoris share an intense, immediate romantic bond that drives much of the story. ### [Tars Tarkas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/tars_tarkas) _friendship_ Dejah Thoris and Tars Tarkas develop mutual respect and alliance, bridging their Martian cultures. ### [Than Kosis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/than_kosis) _social_ Than Kosis is the Jeddak of Helium and Dejah Thoris's father, but their interactions are formal and political. ### [Tardos Mors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/tardos_mors) _family_ Tardos Mors is Dejah Thoris's grandfather and the Jeddak of Helium, with a loving but authoritative relationship. ### [Mors Kajak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/mors_kajak) _family_ Mors Kajak is Dejah Thoris's father, a loving parent who is deeply concerned for her safety. ### [Sab Than](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/sab_than) _social_ Sab Than is a prince of Zodanga who seeks to marry Dejah Thoris for political gain, creating tension. ### [Sarkoja](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/sarkoja) _psychological_ Sarkoja is a hostile, manipulative figure who actively works against Dejah Thoris's well-being. ### [Kantos Kan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/kantos_kan) _friendship_ Kantos Kan is a trusted friend and fellow Heliumite who supports Dejah Thoris. ### [John Carter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/john_carter) _romantic_ John Carter and Dejah Thoris share an intense, immediate romantic bond that drives much of the story. ### [Mors Kajak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/mors_kajak) _family_ Mors Kajak is Dejah Thoris's father, a loving parent who is deeply concerned for her safety. ### [Sola](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/sola) _friendship_ Sola becomes Dejah Thoris's loyal protector and confidante, offering kindness and guidance in a hostile environment. ## In the story ### [A Princess of Mars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/a-princess-of-mars) Princess of Helium, held captive by the Tharks, first meets John Carter. ### [A Fair Captive from the Sky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/viii-a-fair-captive-from-the-sky) The captive from the sky, a beautiful copper-skinned woman who makes a sign to John Carter and is then dragged into a building. ### [I Learn the Language](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/ix-i-learn-the-language) The red Martian captive; glimpsed being led to the audience chamber; her fate is discussed by the green women. ### [X: Champion and Chief](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/x-champion-and-chief) Injured by a Thark warrior, she is rescued and protected by John Carter; questions his motives and origins. ### [With Dejah Thoris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xi-with-dejah-thoris) Moves to new quarters with Sola, shares Martian history and legends with John Carter, and expresses her trust in him. ### [XII: A Prisoner with Power](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xii-a-prisoner-with-power) The red prisoner; Carter is determined to save her from Tal Hajus; she is quartered in an adjoining building. ### [XIII: Lovemaking on Mars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xiii-lovemaking-on-mars) Reveals the Tharks' jealousy and mistreatment, shares an intimate walk with Carter, and calls him 'my chieftain.' ### [XIV: A Duel to the Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xiv-a-duel-to-the-death) Rebuffs Carter after his near-declaration of love; is chained but later freed; maintains her pride as a princess. ### [XV: Sola Tells Me Her Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xv-sola-tells-me-her-story) Grieves over John Carter's supposed death, weeping—a rare sight on Barsoom. ### [We Plan Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xvi-we-plan-escape) Draws a map of Barsoom on the floor; agrees to the northern escape route and invites Sola to join them. ### [XVII: A Costly Recapture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xvii-a-costly-recapture) Refuses to leave John Carter, declaring she will die with him; later rescued from Tal Hajus and escapes with Carter. ### [XIX: Battling in the Arena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xix-battling-in-the-arena) Mentioned as having escaped with Sola; Kantos Kan believes she is safe. ### [In the Atmosphere Factory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xx-in-the-atmosphere-factory) Referenced in Carter's thoughts; his concern for her prevents him from killing the keeper. ### [An Air Scout for Zodanga](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xxi-an-air-scout-for-zodanga) Believed dead by some; Carter and Kantos Kan seek to learn her whereabouts. ### [XXII: I Find Dejah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xxii-i-find-dejah) Believing Carter dead, she has promised herself to Sab Than to save Helium. She explains Barsoomian marriage customs and rejects Carter's plea due to her promise. ### [Lost in the Sky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xxiii-lost-in-the-sky) Mentioned as having promised her hand to Sab Than, motivating Carter and Kantos Kan's actions. ### [XXV: The Looting of Zodanga](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xxv-the-looting-of-zodanga) Nearly forced to marry Sab Than, saved by John Carter, and accepts his marriage proposal. ### [Through Carnage to Joy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xxvi-through-carnage-to-joy) Transferred to the Helium flagship and returned to her grandfather's court; greeted by officers and celebrated as the princess of Helium. ### [From Joy to Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xxvii-from-joy-to-death) Falls into a coma from asphyxiation as the air supply dwindles, but confesses her love to Carter before losing consciousness. ### [At the Arizona Cave](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xxviii-at-the-arizona-cave) John Carter's lost love, whose fate on Mars he desperately wonders about. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/dejah_thoris - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters