# Sarkoja — A Princess of Mars character guide

> Sarkoja in A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0006-iv-a-prisoner

## Snapshot

A venomous Thark matron whose hatred of John Carter bristles so palpably one might almost cut it with a sword.

## Who they are

Sarkoja wields what power green Martian women possess through cruelty and intrigue, chaining the captive Dejah Thoris by the ankle and pocketing the key. Her loathing for John Carter curdles into conspiracy when she is seen whispering with Zad, a nameless warrior hungry for the kill that would earn him a second name. She embodies the cold ferocity of Thark society, and her scheming gives Carter's early captivity a personal, watchful menace.

## Relationships

### [Sola](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/sola)

_psychological_

Sarkoja is a manipulative and cruel figure who torments and spies on Sola, acting as a psychological antagonist.

### [Tars Tarkas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/tars_tarkas)

_rivalry_

Sarkoja is a scheming antagonist who opposes Tars Tarkas and seeks to undermine his authority.

### [Dejah Thoris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/dejah_thoris)

_psychological_

Sarkoja is a hostile, manipulative figure who actively works against Dejah Thoris's well-being.

### [Sola](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/sola)

_psychological_

Sarkoja is a manipulative and cruel figure who torments and spies on Sola, acting as a psychological antagonist.

### [Sola](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/sola)

_psychological_

Sarkoja is a manipulative and cruel figure who torments and spies on Sola, acting as a psychological antagonist.

### [Tars Tarkas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/tars_tarkas)

_rivalry_

Sarkoja is a scheming antagonist who opposes Tars Tarkas and seeks to undermine his authority.

### [Tars Tarkas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/tars_tarkas)

_rivalry_

Sarkoja is a scheming antagonist who opposes Tars Tarkas and seeks to undermine his authority.

## In the story

### [A Princess of Mars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/a-princess-of-mars)

Thark woman who is suspicious of John Carter and Dejah Thoris.

### [I Learn the Language](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/ix-i-learn-the-language)

Older woman who guards the captive; reveals the plan to take the red princess to Thark for execution.

### [With Dejah Thoris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xi-with-dejah-thoris)

Threatened by John Carter, departs to plot against them, and is suspected of eavesdropping on Carter and Dejah Thoris.

### [XII: A Prisoner with Power](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xii-a-prisoner-with-power)

Implied to be the source of the report about Carter plotting escape; described as Tars Tarkas' oldest and most trusted female.

### [XIII: Lovemaking on Mars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xiii-lovemaking-on-mars)

Spreads lies that Carter has become a true Thark; attempts to keep Carter and Dejah Thoris apart.

### [XIV: A Duel to the Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xiv-a-duel-to-the-death)

Hates Carter and plots against him with the warrior Zad; responsible for chaining Dejah Thoris.

### [XV: Sola Tells Me Her Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xv-sola-tells-me-her-story)

Betrayed Sola's mother to Tal Hajus; present at the tower when the secret was discovered.

### [We Plan Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xvi-we-plan-escape)

Reported to Tal Hajus, leading to the threat of being thrown to wild calots.

### [Tars Tarkas Finds a Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/chapters/xxiv-tars-tarkas-finds-a-friend)

Recognizes Carter, reports to Tal Hajus, is threatened by Tars Tarkas for her role in Gozava's death, and disappears the next morning.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters/sarkoja
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_princess_of_mars_se/characters