Tarzan the Terrible · Character
Erich Obergatz
A German officer whose mind shattered in the jungle, now propped up as a false god by a scheming high priest.
major
Also known as Lieutenant Obergatz, Obergatz, the German
First appearance: i the pithecanthropus
As a major figure in Tarzan the Terrible, Erich Obergatz is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Mentioned as the German officer who escorted Jane into the interior; his cruelty led to a mutiny among native soldiers, forcing him and Jane to flee.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
Obergatz is the last of the three German officers who destroyed Tarzan's home, and months of terror have reduced him to a gibbering wreck. When Lu-don needs a living deity to rival Tarzan's claim, the broken lieutenant…
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The fuller portrait of Erich Obergatz sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Erich Obergatz in i the pithecanthropusCharacter Web
19 connectionsA slice of how Erich Obergatz sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Psychological
- Rivalry
- Other
Character groups
- Pal-ul-don characters
- Protagonist
+14 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative 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 readingRelationships
- Jane Clayton
psychological · negative
Erich Obergatz is obsessed with Jane Clayton, pursuing her with manipulative and… How this plays out →
- Tarzan
rivalry · negative
- Tarzan
rivalry · negative
- Jane Clayton
psychological · negative
Erich Obergatz is obsessed with Jane Clayton, pursuing her with manipulative and… How this plays out →
- Jane Clayton
psychological · negative
Erich Obergatz is obsessed with Jane Clayton, pursuing her with manipulative and… How this plays out →
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Erich Obergatz in i the pithecanthropusIn the story
Erich Obergatz appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
- By Jad-bal-lul
- XIX: Diana of the Jungle
- Silently in the Night
- XXI: The Maniac
- XXIII: Taken Alive
- XXIV: The Messenger of Death
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Erich Obergatz unlock in the free preview.
See Erich Obergatz in i the pithecanthropus