Tarzan of the Apes · Chapter
The Height of Civilization explained
Tarzan and D'Arnot arrive at a coastal town, where Tarzan begins to adapt to civilized life.
What happens
Tarzan and D'Arnot arrive at a coastal town, where Tarzan begins to adapt to civilized life. He demonstrates his extraordinary abilities by killing a lion with only a knife and rope to win a wager, and later retrieves the treasure from the ape amphitheater. The chapter ends with their departure for France.
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
- Civilization vs. Wilderness
Tarzan struggles between the freedom of the jungle and the constraints of civilized society, ultimately choosing to pursue civilization for love.
- Survival and Strength
Tarzan's physical prowess and hunting skills are highlighted when he kills a lion with minimal weapons, demonstrating his survival instincts.
Characters to notice
- Tarzan
Adapts to civilized manners and speech, kills a lion with a knife and rope to win a wager, retrieves the treasure, and departs for France.
- Lieutenant D'Arnot
Guides Tarzan in civilization, arranges the wager, and accompanies Tarzan to France.
Key passages
“God made you a gentleman at heart, my friend, but we want His works to show upon the exterior also.”
D'Arnot tells Tarzan that he is naturally noble, but needs to learn civilized manners and appearance.
Reflects the theme of civilization vs. wilderness and Tarzan's transformation.
“To me the only pleasure in the hunt is the knowledge that the hunted thing has power to harm me as much as I have to harm him.”
Tarzan explains that the thrill of hunting comes from the danger involved, not from an easy kill.
Highlights Tarzan's philosophy of fairness and his wild nature.
