A Comprehensive Guide to Studying Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan of the Apes

<meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"> <p>Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan of the Apes is a classic work of adventure fiction that has captivated readers for over a century. The novel follows the story of Tarzan, a young man who is raised by apes in the African jungle. Tarzan must learn to survive in the wild, while also coming to terms with his human heritage.</p> <p>Tarzan of the Apes is a complex and multi-layered novel that can be enjoyed on many different levels. It is a story of adventure, romance, and self-discovery. It is also a commentary on the nature of civilization and the human condition.</p> <p>If you are studying Tarzan of the Apes for a class or for your own personal enrichment, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know. We will discuss the novel's plot, characters, themes, and literary devices. We will also provide you with a list of study questions and resources.</p> <h2>Plot Summary</h2> <p>Tarzan of the Apes begins with the death of Lord and Lady Greystoke, a young couple who are shipwrecked on the coast of Africa. Their infant son, John Clayton, is left stranded in the jungle and is adopted by a tribe of apes. The apes name the boy Tarzan, which means "white skin" in their language.</p> <p>Tarzan grows up to be a strong and agile young man, but he is also fiercely independent and untamed. He must learn to survive in the harsh jungle environment, while also coming to terms with his human heritage.</p> <p>Tarzan's life is changed forever when he encounters Jane Porter, a young woman from England who is visiting Africa with her father. Jane is beautiful, intelligent, and kind, and Tarzan is immediately drawn to her. However, their relationship is complicated by the fact that Tarzan is a wild man and Jane is a civilized woman.</p> <p>Tarzan and Jane must overcome many obstacles to be together, including the disapproval of Jane's father and the threat of a rival ape tribe. In the end, however, they are able to find happiness together.</p> <h2>Characters</h2> <ul> <li>**Tarzan:** The title character of the novel, Tarzan is a young man who is raised by apes in the African jungle. He is strong, agile, and intelligent, but he is also fiercely independent and untamed. Tarzan must learn to survive in the harsh jungle environment, while also coming to terms with his human heritage.</li> <li>**Jane Porter:** A young woman from England who is visiting Africa with her father. Jane is beautiful, intelligent, and kind, and Tarzan is immediately drawn to her. However, their relationship is complicated by the fact that Tarzan is a wild man and Jane is a civilized woman.</li> <li>**Professor Archimedes Q. Porter:** Jane's father, Professor Porter is a renowned scientist who is on a mission to study the apes in Africa. He is a kind and gentle man, but he is also somewhat naive and impractical.</li> <li>**Kala:** The female ape who adopts Tarzan as her own son. Kala is a loving and protective mother, and she teaches Tarzan everything he needs to know to survive in the jungle.</li> <li>**Kerchak:** The leader of the ape tribe that adopts Tarzan. Kerchak is a powerful and respected leader, but he is also jealous of Tarzan's intelligence and strength.</li> <li>**Sabor:** A fierce and cunning leopard who is Tarzan's archenemy. Sabor is always on the hunt for Tarzan, and he will stop at nothing to kill him.</li> </ul> <h2>Themes</h2> <ul> <li>**The nature of civilization:** Tarzan of the Apes is a story about the conflict between civilization and the wild. Tarzan is raised by apes in the jungle, and he must learn to survive in the harsh environment without the help of modern technology. When he encounters Jane Porter, he is forced to confront the differences between his way of life and hers.</li> <li>**The importance of family:** Tarzan is orphaned at a young age, but he is adopted by a tribe of apes who love and care for him. Kala, his adoptive mother, is a loving and protective figure, and she teaches Tarzan everything he needs to know to survive in the jungle. Tarzan's relationship with his ape family is one of the most important relationships in his life.</li> <li>**The power of love:** Tarzan and Jane Porter fall in love despite their many differences. Their love is a powerful force that helps them to overcome the obstacles that stand in their way.</li> </ul> <h2>Literary Devices</h2> <ul> <li>**Foreshadowing:** Burroughs uses foreshadowing throughout the novel to hint at future events. For example, the opening chapter of the novel describes the death of Lord and Lady Greystoke, and this event foreshadows Tarzan's eventual discovery of his human heritage.</li> <li>**Symbolism:** Burroughs also uses symbolism throughout the novel. For example, the jungle can be seen as a symbol of the wild and untamed aspects of human nature.</li> <li>**Irony:** Burroughs also uses irony in the novel. For exa</li></ul></body></html>

Study Guide for Edgar Rice Burroughs's Tarzan of the Apes (Course Hero Study Guides)

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