Tarzan the Terrible · Chapter
X: The Forbidden Garden explained
Tarzan, disguised as the son of Jad-ben-Otho, questions O-lo-a about recent strangers and a possible woman of another race in A-lur.
What happens
Tarzan, disguised as the son of Jad-ben-Otho, questions O-lo-a about recent strangers and a possible woman of another race in A-lur. Ko-tan interrupts and leads him away, but later Tarzan intervenes to stop a human sacrifice, redirecting the ritual to offerings of food and clothing. He notices a Waz-don slave who seems to recognize him, and later learns that the slave has informed Lu-don of suspicions about his identity. Meanwhile, a figure with an Enfield rifle approaches Pal-ul-don. Tarzan explores a hidden garden within the palace grounds.
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 Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
In this excerpt, the dramatic climax occurs because Tarzan’s relentless search brings him within literal sight…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Power and Corruption
Tarzan uses his assumed divine identity to challenge and redirect the corrupt religious practices of the Ho-don, exposing the priesthood's manipulation.
- Religion and Superstition
The chapter centers on the conflict between established sacrificial rites and Tarzan's reinterpretation of divine will, highlighting superstition's hold on the Ho-don.
- Identity and Belonging
Tarzan's disguise as Dor-ul-Otho creates tension between his true identity and the role imposed by others, while a slave's recognition threatens to expose him.
Characters to notice
- Tarzan
Disguised as Dor-ul-Otho, he questions O-lo-a about strangers, stops a human sacrifice, and explores a forbidden garden.
- O-lo-a
Princess of A-lur, she reluctantly reveals rumors of a stranger to Tarzan under duress, then is dismissed by Ko-tan.
- Pan-at-lee
Present as O-lo-a's slave woman, she is with O-lo-a during the conversation with Tarzan.
- Ko-tan
King of A-lur, he interrupts Tarzan's questioning of O-lo-a and later witnesses Tarzan's overturning of the sacrifice ritual.
- Lu-don
High priest, he is confronted by Tarzan over the sacrifice and later receives a report from a Waz-don slave about Tarzan's identity.
- Ta-den
Mentioned by O-lo-a as the one whose fate she fears for, prompting her to speak.
- Ja-don
Not directly appearing, but referenced as the false Dor-ul-Otho in the context of Tarzan's disguise.
Key passages
“In the name of Jad-ben-Otho I command you to speak... In the name of Jad-ben-Otho in whose hands lies the fate of Ta-den!”
Tarzan pressures O-lo-a to reveal information by invoking divine authority and threatening Ta-den's safety.
Tarzan uses his assumed godly status to extract information from O-lo-a.
“Stop!... It is the blindness of the priesthood that has failed to read the messages of their god.”
Tarzan halts the sacrifice and accuses the priests of misinterpreting their god's will.
Tarzan challenges the religious orthodoxy and redefines the ritual.
“If you are right, they should reward us with our liberty, but if you are wrong, O Jad-ben-Otho, what will be our fate?”
A slave expresses fear that reporting Tarzan's true identity could lead to punishment if they are mistaken.
The slaves debate the risks of informing on Tarzan.
