# John Carter — The Gods of Mars character guide > John Carter in The Gods of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Captain John Carter, Captain John Carter of Virginia, Carter, Captain Carter **First appearance:** 0001-the-gods-of-mars ## Snapshot A Virginia captain who wills himself across space to Mars, returning after ten years to find his lost princess and a world he barely recognizes. ## Who they are Carter is the narrator and protagonist, an Earthman whose longing for Dejah Thoris pulls him back to Barsoom only to land him in an unfamiliar, hostile region. His defining tension is between the superhuman confidence that has always carried him through and the fear that his long absence has cost him everything he loves. His vow to reach, rescue, and revenge drives the expedition that shapes the book's central arc. ## Relationships ### [Dejah Thoris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/dejah_thoris) _romantic_ Dejah Thoris and John Carter are deeply devoted lovers and spouses, bound by unwavering loyalty. ### [Zat Arras](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/zat_arras) _rivalry_ John Carter and Zat Arras are bitter enemies, with Zat Arras plotting against Carter's authority. ### [Tars Tarkas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/tars_tarkas) _friendship_ John Carter and Tars Tarkas are steadfast friends and comrades-in-arms, bound by honor. ### [Hor Vastus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/hor_vastus) _friendship_ Hor Vastus is a devoted friend and ally to John Carter, fighting alongside him. ### [Issus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/issus) _rivalry_ Issus sees John Carter as a dangerous enemy who threatens her divine rule. ### [Xodar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/xodar) _friendship_ John Carter and Xodar become allies and friends after Xodar defects from Issus's service. ### [Zat Arras](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/zat_arras) _rivalry_ John Carter and Zat Arras are bitter enemies, with Zat Arras plotting against Carter's authority. ### [Dejah Thoris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/dejah_thoris) _romantic_ Dejah Thoris and John Carter are deeply devoted lovers and spouses, bound by unwavering loyalty. ### [Tars Tarkas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/tars_tarkas) _friendship_ John Carter and Tars Tarkas are steadfast friends and comrades-in-arms, bound by honor. ### [Xodar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/xodar) _friendship_ John Carter and Xodar become allies and friends after Xodar defects from Issus's service. ### [Dejah Thoris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/dejah_thoris) _romantic_ Dejah Thoris and John Carter are deeply devoted lovers and spouses, bound by unwavering loyalty. ### [Hor Vastus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/hor_vastus) _friendship_ Hor Vastus is a devoted friend and ally to John Carter, fighting alongside him. ## In the story ### [The Gods of Mars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/the-gods-of-mars) The protagonist, navigating the dangers of the Valley Dor and confronting the Therns. ### [The Plant Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/i-the-plant-men) Narrator and protagonist; transported from Earth to a strange region of Mars, where he observes plant men and green Martians. ### [A Forest Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/ii-a-forest-battle) Fights alongside Tars Tarkas against plant men and white apes; demonstrates leadership and self-sacrifice by insisting Tars Tarkas enter the tree first. ### [The Chamber of Mystery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/iii-the-chamber-of-mystery) Reunites with Tars Tarkas in the Valley Dor, learns of the deception of the Barsoomian afterlife, and uses a mirror to discover the secret of the chamber. ### [Thuvia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/iv-thuvia) Awakens to conflict, frees Thuvia, and persuades her and Tars Tarkas to attempt escape from the therns. ### [Corridors of Peril](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/v-corridors-of-peril) Narrates the journey through the underworld, observes the horrors of the Valley Dor, and strategizes escape with Thuvia and Tars Tarkas. ### [The Black Pirates of Barsoom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/vi-the-black-pirates-of-barsoom) Observes the black pirate raid, devises an escape plan, and sacrifices himself to allow Thuvia and Tars Tarkas to flee. ### [A Fair Goddess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/vii-a-fair-goddess) Boards the pirate cruiser, frees Phaidor, battles and spares Xodar, learns about the First Born, and steers the vessel toward Helium. ### [The Depths of Omean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/viii-the-depths-of-omean) John Carter is a prisoner aboard the First Born's battleship, observing the hidden world of Omean and questioning the therns' religious deceptions. ### [IX: Issus, Goddess of Life Eternal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/ix-issus-goddess-of-life-eternal) Brought before Issus, rejects Phaidor's love, and is returned to Shador. ### [The Prison Isle of Shador](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/x-the-prison-isle-of-shador) Imprisoned on Shador, he challenges Issus's divinity and defeats Thurid in combat. ### [When Hell Broke Loose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xi-when-hell-broke-loose) Leads the charge against Issus, fights alongside a young red warrior, and pursues Issus into a black gulf. ### [Doomed to Die](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xii-doomed-to-die) Falls into the pit with the boy, navigates the ancient corridors, and orchestrates the escape attempt. ### [A Break for Liberty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xiii-a-break-for-liberty) Plans the escape, retrieves swords, and leads the swim to the flier. ### [The Eyes in the Dark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xiv-the-eyes-in-the-dark) Reunited with his son Carthoris, learns of Dejah Thoris's enduring love, and later becomes lost in dark pits pursued by unseen creatures. ### [Flight and Pursuit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xv-flight-and-pursuit) Leads the escape, rescues Thuvia, and later rescues Tars Tarkas from the pits. ### [Under Arrest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xvi-under-arrest) Returns to Helium as a prisoner, confronts Zat Arras, and learns of Dejah Thoris's disappearance. ### [The Death Sentence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xvii-the-death-sentence) On trial for blasphemy, he delivers a passionate speech warning Helium of the false religion of Issus and the dangers of the Valley Dor. ### [Sola's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xviii-sola-s-story) Listens to Sola's story, vows to rescue Dejah Thoris, and begins planning the expedition. ### [Black Despair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xix-black-despair) Refuses Zat Arras's offer, is imprisoned in the pits, and later rescued by Carthoris. ### [The Air Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xx-the-air-battle) Leads the fleet into Omean, captures the submarine island, and interrogates Yersted about Dejah Thoris. ### [Through Flood and Flame](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xxi-through-flood-and-flame) Leads the expedition, commands the troops, and ultimately finds Dejah Thoris. ### [Victory and Defeat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xxii-victory-and-defeat) Leads the assault on Issus's throne room, captures the goddess, and races to save Dejah Thoris from the Temple of the Sun. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/john_carter - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters