# Tarzan of the Apes — Themes

> Major themes in Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

## Nature vs. Nurture

Tarzan's development as a noble and intelligent being despite being raised by apes in the jungle explores whether human character is shaped by innate heredity or environment.

### Where it surfaces

- [Tarzan of the Apes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/tarzan-of-the-apes): Tarzan's development as a human raised by apes explores the tension between innate human traits and environmental influences.
- [IV: The Apes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/iv-the-apes): Kala's maternal instinct overrides species boundaries, raising the question of whether nurture can transcend biological nature.
- [V: The White Ape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/v-the-white-ape): Tarzan's innate human intelligence and reasoning ability set him apart from the apes, allowing him to invent tools and strategies, yet his physical and social development is shaped entirely by his jungle environment.
- [VI: Jungle Battles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/vi-jungle-battles): Tarzan's innate human curiosity leads him to explore the cabin, while his ape upbringing shapes his reaction to the skeletons and his combat instincts.
- [Man and Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/ix-man-and-man): Tarzan's hereditary instinct against cannibalism overrides his learned jungle ethics, illustrating the tension between innate human nature and environmental conditioning.

## Civilization vs. Wilderness

The book contrasts the savage, instinctual life of the jungle with the constraints and hypocrisies of civilized society, as Tarzan struggles to adapt to human conventions.

### Where it surfaces

- [Out to Sea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/i-out-to-sea): The civilized order of the Claytons contrasts with the lawless brutality of the Fuwalda's crew and captain.
- [The Savage Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/ii-the-savage-home): The contrast between their civilized past and the raw, untamed jungle they now face is starkly portrayed.
- [III: Life and Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/iii-life-and-death): The cabin represents a fragile outpost of civilization, constantly threatened by the surrounding jungle and its beasts.
- [X: The Fear-Phantom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/x-the-fear-phantom): Tarzan's observation of the village contrasts his jungle life with the structured but superstitious human society.
- [XII: Man's Reason](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xii-man-s-reason): Tarzan's longing for the cabin and books contrasts with his life among the apes, emphasizing the tension between human reason and animal instinct.
- [His Own Kind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xiii-his-own-kind): Tarzan's first encounter with white men reveals their savagery (murdering a comrade), challenging his assumption that they are civilized like the men in his picture books.

## Identity and Belonging

Tarzan's quest to understand his origins and find his place between the ape world and the human world drives the narrative, highlighting themes of alienation and self-discovery.

### Where it surfaces

- [Tarzan of the Apes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/tarzan-of-the-apes): Tarzan's dual heritage as both human and ape-raised creates a central conflict of identity and belonging.
- [V: The White Ape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/v-the-white-ape): Tarzan's discovery of his reflection and his shame at his appearance highlight his growing awareness of being different from the apes, questioning his place within the tribe.
- [VII: The Light of Knowledge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/vii-the-light-of-knowledge): Tarzan asserts his identity as 'Tarzan of the Apes' and demands respect, navigating his unique position between human and ape.
- [VIII: The Treetop Hunter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/viii-the-treetop-hunter): Tarzan's conflicting desires about wearing clothes reflect his struggle between his ape upbringing and human heritage.
- [Man and Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/ix-man-and-man): Tarzan's internal conflict over eating Kulonga reveals his struggle between his ape upbringing and his innate human heritage.
- [XI: King of the Apes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xi-king-of-the-apes): Tarzan discovers his father's photograph and diary, deepening his quest to understand his origins and his place between the human and ape worlds.

## Colonialism and Racism

The story is set against a backdrop of European colonial exploitation in Africa, depicting racial hierarchies and the brutal treatment of native peoples by colonial powers.

### Where it surfaces

- [The Village of Torture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xxi-the-village-of-torture): The backstory of the villagers fleeing Leopold II's atrocities and their subsequent revenge on white prisoners underscores the cycle of colonial violence and racism.

## Love and Instinct

Tarzan's primal, possessive love for Jane Porter is portrayed as an instinctual force that overrides reason, blending romantic attraction with raw, animalistic desire.

### Where it surfaces

- [VI: Jungle Battles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/vi-jungle-battles): Kala's selfless care for Tarzan, despite being a wild ape, exemplifies maternal love and instinct overriding tribal indifference.
- [XVIII: The Jungle Toll](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xviii-the-jungle-toll): Tarzan's instinctive devotion to Jane drives him to provide for her and risk his life to rescue her.
- [XIX: The Call of the Primitive](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xix-the-call-of-the-primitive): Tarzan's primal claim over Jane and Jane's momentary surrender to instinct before shame intervenes.
- [XX: Heredity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xx-heredity): Jane's growing love for Tarzan and his instinctive desire to protect and please her drive the chapter's emotional arc.
- [XXII: The Search Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xxii-the-search-party): Jane's internal conflict between her love for the ape-man and societal expectations, as well as Clayton's jealousy, highlight the tension between instinctual attraction and civilized norms.
- [Brother Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xxiii-brother-men): Tarzan's deep attachment to Jane drives his actions; his instinct to protect D'Arnot conflicts with his heartbreak.

## Survival and Strength

The harsh jungle environment emphasizes physical prowess, cunning, and adaptability as essential for survival, with Tarzan embodying the ultimate survivor.

### Where it surfaces

- [Out to Sea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/i-out-to-sea): The Claytons must navigate the threat of mutiny and violence, relying on caution and neutrality to survive.
- [The Savage Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/ii-the-savage-home): The Claytons must rely on their wits and resources to build a shelter and protect themselves from wild beasts.
- [III: Life and Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/iii-life-and-death): Clayton's relentless labor to build a safe home and provide for his family highlights the theme of survival against the wilderness.
- [IV: The Apes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/iv-the-apes): Kerchak's brutal dominance and the tribe's survival strategies highlight the raw struggle for existence.
- [V: The White Ape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/v-the-white-ape): Tarzan's quick decision to dive into the lake to escape Sabor demonstrates his survival instincts, while his increasing strength and agility are emphasized as he matures.
- [VI: Jungle Battles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/vi-jungle-battles): Tarzan's brutal fight with the gorilla and his stoic endurance of severe injuries highlight the theme of survival in the jungle.

## Heredity and Aristocracy

Tarzan's noble birth as Lord Greystoke is presented as an inherent source of his superiority, suggesting that aristocratic bloodlines confer innate qualities of leadership and honor.

### Where it surfaces

- [XX: Heredity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xx-heredity): Tarzan's innate chivalry and graciousness, despite his savage upbringing, are depicted as hereditary traits from his noble lineage.
- [The Outpost of the World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xxv-the-outpost-of-the-world): The diary reveals Tarzan's potential noble lineage as Lord Greystoke, raising questions about inherited traits versus upbringing.

## Savagery and Brutality

Both human and animal characters exhibit cruelty and violence, from the mutineers' massacre to the villagers' torture of captives, questioning the line between civilized and savage behavior.

### Where it surfaces

- [IV: The Apes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/iv-the-apes): Kerchak's violent rampage and the killing of John Clayton illustrate the savage brutality of the ape world.
- [VII: The Light of Knowledge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/vii-the-light-of-knowledge): The Dum-Dum ritual and Tarzan's killing of Tublat highlight the raw violence and primal instincts of the ape tribe.
- [VIII: The Treetop Hunter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/viii-the-treetop-hunter): The violent encounter with Sabor and the raw power of the storm highlight the brutal aspects of nature.
- [Man and Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/ix-man-and-man): Kulonga's killing of Kala, Tarzan's vengeful killing of Kulonga, and the depiction of the black warriors' filed teeth and brutish appearance highlight the theme of savagery.
- [X: The Fear-Phantom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/x-the-fear-phantom): Tarzan's killing for pleasure and the use of poisoned arrows highlight the brutal aspects of both human and ape societies.
- [XI: King of the Apes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xi-king-of-the-apes): The black villagers torture a captive to death, and Tarzan reflects on the cruelty of humans compared to jungle animals.

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