# Esmeralda — Tarzan of the Apes character guide

> Esmeralda in Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the still shrieking Esmeralda, poor Esmeralda, The ubiquitous Esmeralda

**First appearance:** 0014-xiii-his-own-kind

## Snapshot

Jane Porter's devoted maid, whose piercing scream and reliable habit of fainting under pressure make her both comic relief and an unwitting signal beacon in the jungle.

## Who they are

Esmeralda is Jane's constant attendant, a woman whose terror at the African wilderness is as loud as it is sincere. When a manlike beast snatches Jane from beside her, Esmeralda's scream mingles with her mistress's before she swoons — and that scream is what brings Tarzan racing through the trees. Her helplessness throws Jane's own composure into sharp relief and gives Tarzan his first trail to follow, making the frightened maid an accidental hinge on which the rescue turns.

## Relationships

### [Tarzan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/characters/tarzan)

_friendship_

Esmeralda, Jane's maid, is initially terrified of Tarzan but later becomes fond of him as a gentle giant.

### [John Clayton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/characters/john_clayton)

_professional_

Esmeralda serves as a maid to the Clayton household, showing loyalty and care for John Clayton and his family.

### [John Clayton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/characters/john_clayton)

_professional_

Esmeralda serves as a maid to the Clayton household, showing loyalty and care for John Clayton and his family.

### [Tarzan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/characters/tarzan)

_friendship_

Esmeralda, Jane's maid, is initially terrified of Tarzan but later becomes fond of him as a gentle giant.

### [Tarzan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/characters/tarzan)

_friendship_

Esmeralda, Jane's maid, is initially terrified of Tarzan but later becomes fond of him as a gentle giant.

## In the story

### [At the Mercy of the Jungle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xiv-at-the-mercy-of-the-jungle)

Barricaded in the cabin with Jane, sobs hysterically and bemoans leaving Maryland.

### [XV: The Forest God](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xv-the-forest-god)

Lies unconscious during the attack, then wakes up confused, asking if she is dead.

### [Most Remarkable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xvi-most-remarkable)

Mentioned as having thought Tarzan was an angel sent to watch over them.

### [Burials](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xvii-burials)

Weeps during the burial and points out the Arrow's departure.

### [XVIII: The Jungle Toll](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xviii-the-jungle-toll)

Found unconscious after the attack; revives and describes the 'great, hairy giant' that took Jane.

### [XIX: The Call of the Primitive](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xix-the-call-of-the-primitive)

Screams and faints when Terkoz captures Jane; later waves her red apron to signal the ships.

### [XXII: The Search Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xxii-the-search-party)

Comforts Jane in the cabin, though Jane is irritable and conflicted.

### [Lost Treasure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xxiv-lost-treasure)

Expresses fear and desire to leave the jungle, calling it a 'geological garden' full of 'lonesome noises.'

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/characters/esmeralda
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/characters