Tarzan of the Apes · Character
Tarzan
Raised by apes after his noble parents died on a wild African coast, he becomes the jungle's deadliest hunter—until a stranded American girl awakens something human in him.
major
Also known as John Clayton, Lord Greystoke, Tarzan of the Apes, Man, Monsieur Tarzan
First appearance: Tarzan of the Apes
As a major figure in Tarzan of the Apes, Tarzan is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
The infant son of Lord and Lady Greystoke, adopted by Kala and raised among the apes.
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Tarzan grows up among the tribe of Kerchak, mastering the knife, the bow, and the language of beasts, yet he is neither fully ape nor fully man. When white strangers are marooned near his parents' old cabin, he secretly…
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The fuller portrait of Tarzan sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Tarzan in Tarzan of the ApesCharacter Web
26 connectionsA slice of how Tarzan sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Family
- Rivalry
Character groups
- Protagonist
- Castaways and Rescuers
- Sailors, Mutineers, and Rivals
- Ape Tribe and Family
+21 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- 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 readingRelationships
- John Clayton
family · positive
John Clayton is Tarzan's biological father, though they never meet in person; Tarzan… How this plays out →
- Terkoz
rivalry · negative
- Sabor
rivalry · negative
- Kala
family · positive
- Kerchak
rivalry · negative
- Robert Canler
rivalry · negative
- Professor Porter
social · positive
- Kulonga
rivalry · negative
- Esmeralda
friendship · positive
- Tublat
rivalry · negative
- Captain Dufranne
friendship · positive
- John Clayton
family · positive
John Clayton is Tarzan's biological father, though they never meet in person; Tarzan… How this plays out →
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Tarzan in Tarzan of the ApesIn the story
Tarzan appears across 43 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
- Tarzan of the Apes
- Tarzan of the Apes
- Out to Sea
- The Savage Home
- III: Life and Death
- III: Life and Death
- IV: The Apes
- IV: The Apes
- +35 more
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Tarzan unlock in the free preview.
See Tarzan in Tarzan of the Apes