# Hovan Du — The Master Mind of Mars character guide > Hovan Du in The Master Mind of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Du **First appearance:** 0003-ii-preferment ## Snapshot A great white ape carrying half a human brain, whose divided nature makes him both a beast of the jungle and a surprisingly capable ally. ## Who they are Hovan Du is one of Ras Thavas's strangest experiments, a white ape whose skull holds a portion of human mind alongside simian instinct. On the flight through the Great Toonolian Marshes he finds fruit and nuts for the fugitives and leads them to fresh water, his ape senses serving where human knowledge cannot. His divided self embodies the novel's question of where the person truly lives. ## Relationships ### [Gor Hajus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/gor_hajus) _friendship_ Gor Hajus and Hovan Du are loyal comrades working together in the rebellion. ### [Dar Tarus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/dar_tarus) _friendship_ Dar Tarus and Hovan Du are steadfast friends and fellow rebels against Xaxa's regime. ### [The Great Tur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/the_great_tur) _professional_ Hovan Du serves as a priest and devotee of The Great Tur, the religious figure of the cult. ### [Ras Thavas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/ras_thavas) _professional_ Hovan Du interacts with Ras Thavas primarily for medical and surgical purposes. ### [Xaxa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/xaxa) _rivalry_ Hovan Du is a rebel leader actively working to overthrow Xaxa. ### [Valla Dia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/valla_dia) _friendship_ Hovan Du is a protective friend and ally to Valla Dia during her captivity. ### [Sag Or](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/sag_or) _rivalry_ Hovan Du and Sag Or are direct enemies, with Sag Or being a brutal enforcer for Xaxa. ### [Dar Tarus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/dar_tarus) _friendship_ Dar Tarus and Hovan Du are steadfast friends and fellow rebels against Xaxa's regime. ### [The Great Tur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/the_great_tur) _professional_ Hovan Du serves as a priest and devotee of The Great Tur, the religious figure of the cult. ### [Valla Dia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/valla_dia) _friendship_ Hovan Du is a protective friend and ally to Valla Dia during her captivity. ### [Gor Hajus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/gor_hajus) _friendship_ Gor Hajus and Hovan Du are loyal comrades working together in the rebellion. ### [Dar Tarus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/dar_tarus) _friendship_ Dar Tarus and Hovan Du are steadfast friends and fellow rebels against Xaxa's regime. ## In the story ### [Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/chapters/vii-escape) The ape with a human brain; revived and agrees to help in exchange for brain restoration. ### [Hands Up!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/chapters/viii-hands-up) Follows Gor Hajus during the flight and is part of the group escaping to Mu Tel's gardens. ### [The Palace of Mu Tel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/chapters/ix-the-palace-of-mu-tel) The ape-man, given a collar and chain, provided with raw meat for the journey. ### [X: Phundahl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/chapters/x-phundahl) Performs as a trained white ape, displaying intelligence by reading and writing, which captivates the crowd and the Jeddara's guard. ### [Xaxa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/chapters/xi-xaxa) Performs for Xaxa, then creates a diversion by seizing Sag Or and escaping through a window, speaking as the 'Great Ape of Ptarth.' ### [The Great Tur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/chapters/xii-the-great-tur) The great white ape; appears on the roof to reinforce the illusion of Tur and helps secure Sag Or. ### [Back to Thavas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/chapters/xiii-back-to-thavas) Assists with food and water; communicates with great apes using their language. ### [XIV: John Carter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/chapters/xiv-john-carter) Remains in the royal apartments during the temple ceremony. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/hovan_du - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters