Tarzan of the Apes · Chapter
Brother Men explained
Tarzan nurses D'Arnot back to health after his fever, teaching him to speak French in the process.
What happens
Tarzan nurses D'Arnot back to health after his fever, teaching him to speak French in the process. When they return to the cabin, they find it deserted—Jane and the others have sailed away, leaving only letters. Tarzan, heartbroken, abandons D'Arnot and flees into the jungle, but later wrestles with his conscience and returns to protect his fellow man.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story's dramatic climax because it delivers the emotional peak of relief and reunion after the pro…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Identity and Belonging
Tarzan questions whether he is an ape or a man, torn between his jungle upbringing and his desire for human connection.
- Love and Instinct
Tarzan's deep attachment to Jane drives his actions; his instinct to protect D'Arnot conflicts with his heartbreak.
- Survival and Strength
Tarzan's physical prowess and jungle knowledge enable him to carry D'Arnot and survive, while D'Arnot's resilience is tested by fever and solitude.
Characters to notice
- Tarzan
Nurses D'Arnot, learns French, feels betrayed by Jane's departure, struggles with his identity as ape or man, ultimately returns to protect D'Arnot.
- Lieutenant D'Arnot
Recovers from fever and wounds, teaches Tarzan French, discovers the cabin deserted, reads Clayton's letter, fears being left alone.
- Jane Porter
Mentioned as having been rescued by Tarzan from Terkoz; her departure with the others causes Tarzan's anguish.
- William Cecil Clayton
Author of the letter left at the cabin, stating they have sailed and will never return.
- Terkoz
Mentioned as having taken Jane Porter; killed by Tarzan.
Key passages
“I speak only the language of my tribe—the great apes who were Kerchak's; and a little of the languages of Tantor, the elephant, and Numa, the lion, and of the other folks of the jungle I understand.”
Tarzan tells D'Arnot that he only knows the language of the apes and some animal sounds, having never spoken with a human before.
Highlights Tarzan's unique upbringing and isolation from human society.
“What are you, Tarzan? An ape or a man? If you are an ape you will do as the apes would do—leave one of your kind to die in the jungle... If you are a man, you will return to protect your kind.”
Tarzan internally debates whether to abandon D'Arnot or return to help him, defining his identity through his choice.
Central to the theme of identity and belonging.
“Never to return, muttered D'Arnot, and threw himself face downward upon the cot.”
D'Arnot reads Clayton's letter saying they will never come back and despairs.
Shows D'Arnot's fear of being stranded alone.
