Civilization vs. Primitivism
The book contrasts the civilized world of Lord Greystoke with the primal jungle existence of Tarzan the ape-man, exploring how Tarzan regresses to a savage state after losing his memory, finding happiness in the simple, instinctual life of the wild.
Where it surfaces
On the Road to Opar
Tarzan sheds his civilized clothes and embraces his primal instincts, contrasting the hypocrisy of civilization with the raw authenticity of the jungle.
III: The Call of the Jungle
Tarzan sheds his civilized veneer and embraces his primal nature, hunting and fighting as a jungle predator, contrasting his English lordship with his savage actions.
The Altar of the Flaming God
The contrast between Werper's civilized background and the savage, sacrificial rituals of the Oparian priests underscores the theme.
VII: The Jewel-Room of Opar
Tarzan, reverted to a primitive state by his accident, relies on instinct and brute strength to survive and conquer the lion, contrasting with the civilized but helpless Werper and La.
Greed and Betrayal
Characters like Albert Werper and Achmet Zek are driven by avarice for gold and jewels, leading to theft, murder, and betrayal of trust, as seen when Werper steals the gems and conspires against his host and his Arab master.
Where it surfaces
I: Belgian and Arab
Werper betrays his uniform and country, joining Achmet Zek for personal gain. The plot to kidnap Tarzan's wife is driven by greed for ransom.
On the Road to Opar
Werper's greed drives him to betray Tarzan's hospitality, plotting to steal the Opar treasure and conspiring with the bandit Achmet Zek.
Prophecy and Fulfillment
Werper's avarice drives him to follow Tarzan and plot to steal the gold, betraying his master's trust and risking his life.
The Escape from Opar
Werper's avarice leads him to betray Tarzan by concealing his identity and plotting to use him for ransom, motivated by the sight of the jewels.
IX: The Theft of the Jewels
Werper's avarice drives him to steal the jewels from Tarzan, betraying his trust.
X: Achmet Zek Sees the Jewels
Werper's secret hoarding of the jewels and Achmet Zek's murderous attempt to seize them highlight the corrosive power of greed and the ease with which trust is broken among the raiders.
Love and Obsession
La, the High Priestess of Opar, experiences a consuming, unrequited love for Tarzan that transforms into a vengeful obsession, driving her to pursue him across the jungle and threaten his life when her affections are spurned.
Where it surfaces
The Escape from Opar
La's obsessive love for Tarzan drives her to attempt to keep him in Opar, even threatening death when rejected.
La Seeks Vengeance
La's love for Tarzan transforms into an obsessive hatred after rejection, fueling her relentless pursuit.
XIII: Condemned to Torture and Death
La's obsessive love for Tarzan drives her to both threaten his life and ultimately save him.
A Priestess but Yet a Woman
La's intense and conflicting emotions for Tarzan, ranging from love to jealousy and revenge, illustrate the theme of obsessive love.
XX: Jane Clayton Again a Prisoner
Werper's infatuation with Jane grows into a maddening desire to possess her, driving his actions.
Survival and Adaptation
The narrative emphasizes the harsh realities of jungle survival, where characters must rely on physical prowess, cunning, and acute senses—as Tarzan does when tracking prey or escaping danger—to endure in a hostile environment.
Where it surfaces
I: Belgian and Arab
Werper adapts to life among the Arab raiders, adopting their dress and customs to survive and gain influence.
III: The Call of the Jungle
Tarzan uses his jungle skills to hunt, evade Numa, and ultimately kill the lion, demonstrating his adaptation to the harsh environment.
Prophecy and Fulfillment
Tarzan's jungle skills and physical prowess enable him to navigate the dangerous terrain and transport heavy ingots, while Werper struggles to survive the ascent.
The Altar of the Flaming God
Werper's desperate struggle to escape the underground tunnels and his capture by the Oparian priests highlight the primal fight for survival.
VI: The Arab Raid
Mugambi's survival against the odds and his adaptation to the aftermath of the raid underscore the theme of resilience in the face of overwhelming force.
VII: The Jewel-Room of Opar
Tarzan adapts to his amnesia and the dark tunnels, learning caution after falling into the well, and uses his primal skills to defeat the lion.
Honor and Redemption
Themes of honor appear in Werper's initial disgrace and later ambiguous acts, such as sparing Jane Clayton, while Tarzan's loyalty to his Waziri warriors and his eventual forgiveness of Werper suggest the possibility of moral redemption.
Where it surfaces
Prophecy and Fulfillment
Tarzan shows mercy to the dying witch-doctor, reflecting his civilized honor, and the Waziri serve him out of loyalty and love.
The Flight to the Jungle
Werper experiences a moment of contrition and attempts to redeem himself by rescuing Jane.
Home
Werper's single act of chivalry toward Jane is seen as a redeeming quality, and Tarzan forgives him in death.
Colonialism and Otherness
The book reflects colonial attitudes through its depiction of African tribes, Arab raiders, and the degraded Oparians, often portraying non-European cultures as savage or exotic, while the white protagonists are positioned as superior or central.
Where it surfaces
I: Belgian and Arab
The tension between European colonial forces (Belgian) and Arab raiders, with Werper crossing cultural lines to survive.
VI: The Arab Raid
The Arab raid on the Greystoke estate exemplifies the violent clash between European settlers and Arab marauders in Africa, highlighting themes of invasion and otherness.
La Seeks Vengeance
Opar is portrayed as a degraded remnant of a lost civilization, with its inhabitants seen as grotesque and otherworldly.
Identity and Duality
Tarzan's dual identity as both the civilized Lord Greystoke and the primal ape-man is central, with his amnesia causing a complete reversion to his savage self, highlighting the tension between his two natures.
Where it surfaces
The Escape from Opar
Tarzan's amnesia highlights his dual nature as both civilized man and primal beast, struggling to reconcile his past with his present animalistic state.
Tarzan Becomes a Beast Again
The chapter marks Tarzan's complete reversion to the ape-man, with Lord Greystoke ceasing to exist as he loses connection to his civilized past.
Tarzan Again Leads the Mangani
Tarzan oscillates between his savage ape-man instincts and lingering memories of his civilized identity.
Tarzan Recovers His Reason
Tarzan's struggle to reconcile his human past with his ape upbringing is central, as his memory slowly returns and he grapples with fragmented recollections.
Vengeance and Justice
Characters seek vengeance for wrongs—La for Tarzan's desecration of her temple, the Waziri for the raid on their village—while Tarzan's pursuit of Werper and the eventual restoration of order suggest a primitive form of justice.
Where it surfaces
VI: The Arab Raid
Mugambi's burning desire for revenge after the raid sets the stage for a personal quest for justice against the raiders.
X: Achmet Zek Sees the Jewels
Mugambi's pursuit is fueled by a desire for vengeance against the raiders, and Jane's faith in Tarzan's coming rescue reflects an expectation of justice.
La Seeks Vengeance
La's quest is driven by a desire for personal vengeance against Tarzan for both desecrating the temple and spurning her love.
XIII: Condemned to Torture and Death
La's initial desire for vengeance against Tarzan's rejection gives way to a complex interplay of justice and mercy.
A Priestess but Yet a Woman
Tarzan's pursuit of the thief who stole his jewels and his threat to Cadj reflect a personal quest for justice and vengeance.
