# Robert Canler — Tarzan of the Apes character guide

> Robert Canler in Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Canler, Canler, Mr. Robert Canler

**First appearance:** 0027-xxvi-the-height-of-civilization

## Snapshot

A wealthy, polished suitor pressing for Jane Porter's hand, whose respectable surface conceals motives rather darker than his fortune suggests.

## Who they are

Canler is the well-heeled American who wants to marry Jane, a match that would solve the Porter family's financial troubles and which Jane herself does not love. He moves through the civilized world of the novel with the ease of money and manners, standing as the safe, conventional future Jane is expected to accept. His pursuit of her sharpens the contrast with the wild, impossible figure of Tarzan, and the pressure he applies to the Porter household makes Jane's eventual choice between two utterly different lives the emotional crux of the story's later movement.

## Relationships

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

_rivalry_

Robert Canler is a wealthy, manipulative suitor to Jane and a direct antagonist to Tarzan, whom he despises.

### [Professor Porter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/characters/professor_porter)

_social_

Professor Porter is indebted to Robert Canler for financial support, but is uneasy about Canler's pursuit of Jane.

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

_rivalry_

Robert Canler is a wealthy, manipulative suitor to Jane and a direct antagonist to Tarzan, whom he despises.

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

_rivalry_

Robert Canler is a wealthy, manipulative suitor to Jane and a direct antagonist to Tarzan, whom he despises.

### [Professor Porter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/characters/professor_porter)

_social_

Professor Porter is indebted to Robert Canler for financial support, but is uneasy about Canler's pursuit of Jane.

### [Professor Porter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/characters/professor_porter)

_social_

Professor Porter is indebted to Robert Canler for financial support, but is uneasy about Canler's pursuit of Jane.

## In the story

### [The Giant Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xxvii-the-giant-again)

Visits Professor Porter to pressure him into hastening Jane's marriage to him, expressing concern about Clayton's presence.

### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xxviii-conclusion)

Arrives with a preacher to force Jane into marriage, is physically overpowered by Tarzan, and forced to release Jane from her promise.

## Links

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