Tarzan the Terrible · Chapter
XXIII: Taken Alive explained
Tarzan's plan to infiltrate the temple and attack A-lur with Ja-don and Ta-den goes awry when he rushes ahead of his warriors and is trapped in a dark chamber.
What happens
Tarzan's plan to infiltrate the temple and attack A-lur with Ja-don and Ta-den goes awry when he rushes ahead of his warriors and is trapped in a dark chamber. Meanwhile, Pan-sat captures Jane from Ja-lur and transports her downriver to A-lur, while the battle erupts and the priests spread word that the false Dor-ul-Otho is a prisoner.
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 Falling action.
- 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
Lu-don's manipulation of the priests and warriors, and Obergatz's delusional claim to divinity, illustrate the corrupting influence of power.
- Survival and Adaptation
Tarzan's reliance on his own cunning and prowess, and Jane's resistance during capture, highlight survival instincts in hostile environments.
Characters to notice
- Tarzan
Leads the infiltration of the temple but is trapped in a dark chamber after pursuing Pan-sat.
- Jane Clayton
Captured from Ja-lur by Pan-sat and two priests, gagged and bound, then taken by canoe toward A-lur.
- Erich Obergatz
Awakened by the battle, he rants as Jad-ben-Otho and is summoned to the palace by a priest.
- Ja-don
Leads the attack on the palace gates as part of the coordinated assault on A-lur.
- Lu-don
Hastens to the palace to direct his forces after the temple gong sounds, leaving Pan-sat to guard Jane.
- Pan-at-lee
Mentioned as the captive woman being dragged by Pan-sat, later identified as Jane.
Key passages
“He who follows the right trail sometimes reaches the wrong destination”
Even a well-planned path can lead to unexpected failure.
Pal-ul-donian proverb reflecting the chapter's theme of plans going awry.
“With lightning I will blast the blasphemers who dare attack the holy city of A-lur.”
Obergatz threatens divine retribution against the attackers.
Shows Obergatz's delusion of godhood and his erratic behavior.
