Edgar Rice Burroughs Princess of mars notice

[ZachWZ]

While I was reading a "Princecess of Mars." I noticed a few picular remark about the Green Men.

John Carter Who I think is ERB's voice. Stated that the no private property part of the socetiy. lead to equal work equal share mentallily. A government that looked out for the best interests of all the people. Leaders of merit instead of wealth.

Of course John Carter didn't seem to like it when applied to people. the fact they was mno marridge. children and parents are to never know each other. people are now like all other tools.

Was this a satarical look to communism. Which was popular in the USA during the Early 1900's. Or am I reading to much between the lines?

ZachWZ

 

[Red Queen]

Originally posted by ZachWZ
Was this a satarical look to communism. Which was popular in the USA during the Early 1900's. Or am I reading to much between the lines?

Probably not :smile: --he hit everybody during the course of those 11 books. Social commentary disguised as adventure :smile: It was very popular in the early part of the the 1900s...when it was done well, you hardly noticed, but your eyes were a little wider when looking around at your own society (this is according to me, so--YMMV) When it wasn't--it was like being hit with an encyclopedia! A very dull one at that. By your mother whilst she told you to pay attention and sit up straight in your chair, 'cause there'd be a test later.

If you look at all of ERB's books--like his Tarzan books, they quite often blast the primitives and the 'civilized' folk all the same. IMHO, he's pointing out that no matter the outward differences, people behave the same. Of course, there is a minor bigotry, a minor misogeny, and a rather cynical "realist" outlook...I say minor because ERB is a product of his time, but he does seem to try to overcome it--but in all his books the Enlightened One, the outsider, is still the best and most civilized, even when he needs must be barbaric :smile: The cynicism is a lot harder to overcome, though... :smile:

Most of the societies John Carter, Tarzan and ERB's other heroes come in contact with have their problems, their prejudices, and their 'silly' superstitions. And he uses his Authorian Voice to show us how ridiculous they are, while still keeping us entertained.

This is my 3 cents worth anyway :rolly2: What a cool excuse to go back and re-read some more books!

RQ

 

[rde]

Re: Re: Edgar Rice Burroughs Princess of mars notice

Originally posted by Red Queen


What a cool excuse to go back and re-read some more books!


/B]

Yeah. It's depressing to think that the allegory never ocurred to me at all. First time I read them such things would have been over my head, but I read the first three a few years ago, and still missed it. D'oh!



Anyway, handy hint for Palm Pilot owners: all the Mars books and a bunch of Tarzans are available from Project Gutenberg and various other online sources. I've found the palm pilot to be excellent for reading out-of-copyright books; not just fiction, but all those other, worthy tomes that I've been meaning to read for years.

 

[Prophet4Profit]

all the Mars books and a bunch of Tarzans are available from Project Gutenberg and various other online sources

The guttenburg project eh? well here is a link to their complete A Princess of Mars text!

 

[BAYLOR]

I remember not having high expectations for this book when I picked it up. I was surprised at show good it was and how modern it seemed and later pin how influential it was on writers that came after.

 

[Gonk the Insane]

I was surprised at show good it was and how modern it seemed and later pin how influential it was on writers that came after.

Ah, it was some of the first science fiction I read, so I have fond memories of the series. I always preferred the Carson of Venus books though.