A Fighting Man of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs, published in 1930, is the seventh entry in the renowned Barsoom series, which began with A Princess of Mars. This classic pulp science fiction adventure follows the exploits of Tan Hadron of Hastor, a determined warrior of the red Martian race, as he embarks on a daring quest across the alien landscape of Barsoom (Mars) to rescue the woman he loves. With its blend of romance, high adventure, and intricate Martian lore, Burroughs continues to expand his richly imagined Martian universe.
Plot Summary
In the towering cities of Helium on the red planet Barsoom, Tan Hadron of Hastor, a Padwar of humble means but noble blood, finds his heart ensnared by Sanoma Tora, a woman of extraordinary beauty and pride. She is the daughter of the wealthy Odwar Tor Hatan, whose riches and influence rival royalty itself. Though Hadron’s lineage carries the blood of Gathol’s princesses, his lack of wealth renders him unworthy in Sanoma Tora’s calculating eyes. He professes his love only to be dismissed with cold laughter, her ambitions set on becoming a Jeddara, not a warrior’s bride.
But the scales of fate shift swiftly upon Barsoom. That very night, Sanoma Tora is abducted from the gardens of her father’s palace by strange warriors flying a ship of alien design, armed with weapons that dissolve metal into nothingness. Suspicion falls upon Hadron, fueled by the conniving Sil Vagis, his rival in love and station. Yet a faithful slave bears witness to the truth – Hadron had no part in the crime, and Sil Vagis, cowardly and unarmed, fled in terror as Sanoma Tora was taken.
Tor Hatan, desperate and disgraced, offers his daughter’s hand to any man who can return her safely. With permission granted by the mighty Warlord of Mars, John Carter himself, Hadron sets out in a swift one-man flier toward the uncharted southwest of Barsoom. Clues point toward the mysterious and hostile nation of Jahar, ruled by the enigmatic and power-hungry Tul Axtar, a jeddak whose emissary had once sought Sanoma Tora’s hand.
Hadron’s journey takes him across dead sea bottoms and over the skeletal remains of ancient cities. Yet misfortune strikes as a green warrior’s bullet damages his flier’s buoyancy tank, forcing a descent near the deserted city of Ghasta. There, among crumbling towers and silent avenues, Hadron seeks shelter. But the city is not as empty as it seems. He soon falls into the clutches of green men and is imprisoned.
Fate, however, brings him unlikely allies. In the dungeons beneath Ghasta, Hadron encounters Nur An, a skilled assassin and chemist, and Tavia, a young woman of unusual intellect and mysterious origin. Together they escape the fortress, surviving treachery, ambushes, and the perils of the Martian wilds. Tavia proves herself not only brave but wise, and Hadron, slowly drawn to her strength and grace, finds his heart shifting in ways he did not expect.
Their journey leads them across bleak deserts and forbidden cities, including U-Gor, where monstrous white apes and deranged humans worship forgotten idols. It is in these places that Hadron uncovers deeper layers of Martian darkness – lost science, failed utopias, and tyrannies cloaked in divine madness. He fights not only with blade and pistol but with wits and heart, driven not just by a vow to save Sanoma Tora but by a growing sense of purpose.
As they close in on Jahar, Hadron and his companions are captured once more. Brought before Tul Axtar, he discovers the jeddak’s plan – to conquer Barsoom using his new disintegration weapon and to force Sanoma Tora into becoming his consort. But Sanoma Tora, imprisoned and disillusioned, now faces a fate worse than death. The woman who once laughed at love now trembles in the shadow of slavery.
In the crucible of Jahar, the truths of the heart reveal themselves. Sanoma Tora, humbled and pleading, reaches for the man she once scorned. But Hadron, changed by fire and courage, sees clearly now. His heart belongs to Tavia, whose courage, wisdom, and devotion shine brighter than any jeweled harness or palace gate.
With Nur An’s ingenuity and Hadron’s skill, they launch a daring uprising. Aided by sympathetic Martians within Jahar’s walls and driven by a desire for freedom and justice, they overthrow Tul Axtar’s rule. The tyrant falls, and Jahar, once a city of shadows, glimpses the light of change.
The victory is not only political but deeply personal. Sanoma Tora, weeping, realizes too late the folly of her ambition. She is offered safety and return, but Hadron turns from her, choosing instead to stand beside Tavia. For in her, he has found not only a companion of the road and the sword but of the soul. She, once enigmatic and quiet, is revealed to be a princess of royal blood in her own right, lost to war and fate, now restored in honor.
Together, they return to Helium not as supplicants but as victors, not with titles or gold but with truth and love earned in fire. The city welcomes them not for who they were but for what they have become. And in the warm light of Helium’s twin suns, Hadron of Hastor and Tavia walk side by side, their journey just beginning in peace rather than peril.
Main Characters
Tan Hadron of Hastor – The noble protagonist and a low-ranking officer in the Heliumite military, Hadron is brave, loyal, and intensely romantic. His love for Sanoma Tora drives the entire narrative, propelling him into treacherous lands and into conflict with numerous adversaries. His journey reveals not only his physical prowess and tactical skill but also a growth in emotional depth and personal honor.
Sanoma Tora – The beautiful but haughty daughter of Tor Hatan, she initially dismisses Hadron due to his low rank and lack of wealth. Her abduction sets the plot into motion. Though largely absent during the bulk of the story, her influence looms large over Hadron’s decisions and resolve.
Tor Hatan – A wealthy but vain noble and father of Sanoma Tora, his obsession with status leads him to initially favor other suitors. However, desperation forces him to pledge his daughter’s hand to whoever can rescue her, revealing a pragmatic, if self-serving, side.
Sil Vagis – A rival suitor and antagonist, Sil Vagis embodies cowardice and duplicity. His deceit during Sanoma Tora’s abduction and his attempts to frame Hadron as the culprit establish him as a symbol of false nobility and corrupted power.
Kal Tavan – A loyal slave and former warrior who plays a crucial role in revealing the truth behind Sanoma Tora’s abduction. His testimony not only clears Hadron’s name but showcases themes of honor and truth emerging from the most unexpected sources.
Theme
Love and Honor: Central to the narrative is the theme of love as a catalyst for honor-bound action. Hadron’s pursuit of Sanoma Tora is not merely romantic but also a testament to his unwavering sense of duty and valor, even in the face of rejection and peril.
Class and Meritocracy: The social stratification of Martian society is explored through Hadron’s struggle against prejudice based on rank and wealth. His heroism challenges the rigid class boundaries, suggesting a meritocratic ideal where valor and integrity outweigh noble birth or riches.
Adventure and Hero’s Journey: Burroughs constructs a classical hero’s journey, complete with trials, battles, and internal growth. Hadron’s quest is archetypal, echoing mythological and romantic traditions while rooted firmly in the alien world of Barsoom.
Technology and Power: The mysterious disintegration weapon used in Sanoma Tora’s abduction introduces a theme of technological imbalance and looming warfare. This motif underscores the fragility of peace and the dangerous allure of unchecked innovation in the hands of despots.
Alien Culture and Exploration: The diverse societies, customs, and creatures of Mars enrich the narrative. From the green hordes of Torquas to the scientific mysteries of Helium, the exploration of alien civilizations highlights Burroughs’ fascination with the exotic and the unknown.
Writing Style and Tone
Edgar Rice Burroughs’ writing in A Fighting Man of Mars is characteristically vivid and energetic, driven by a fast-paced, action-oriented narrative style. His use of first-person perspective allows readers intimate access to Hadron’s thoughts and motivations, enhancing emotional resonance. Descriptions of Martian landscapes and technologies are lush and inventive, balancing scientific imagination with romantic flourish. Dialogue is often formal and grandiose, lending a sense of epic scale and chivalric nobility to the characters’ interactions.
The tone throughout is adventurous and bold, with an undercurrent of romantic idealism. Burroughs combines swashbuckling escapades with a strong sense of purpose, never losing sight of the emotional stakes that drive the story. Even amidst battles, political intrigue, and strange alien encounters, the emotional core – Hadron’s love and evolving sense of honor – remains dominant. The prose is both escapist and earnest, invoking wonder and excitement while anchoring the story in timeless themes of courage, love, and justice.
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