Tarzan of the Apes
What is Tarzan of the Apes about?
Tarzan of the Apes, first published in 1912, is one of the most famous adventure novels ever written and introduced the world to Edgar Rice Burroughs's most iconic character. The story begins when Lord and Lady Greystoke are marooned on the west coast of Africa, where Lady Alice dies shortly after giving birth to a son. When Lord Greystoke is killed by the great ape Kerchak, the infant is adopted by Kala, a she-ape of the Mangani tribe, who names him Tarzan, meaning White Skin. Growing up among the apes, Tarzan teaches himself to read using books from his parents' abandoned cabin and develops extraordinary physical abilities, eventually becoming lord of the jungle. The arrival of a new group of castaways, including the beautiful American Jane Porter, transforms Tarzan's world and forces him to confront the choice between his jungle existence and the civilization of his birth. The novel traces Tarzan's journey from feral child to self-educated wilderness king to a man torn between two worlds. Tarzan of the Apes is a foundational work of adventure fiction whose influence on popular culture is immeasurable.
Main themes in Tarzan of the Apes
Nature versus nurture and human identity
In Tarzan of the Apes, nature versus nurture and human identity provides a lens for understanding the story's core message.
Survival and self-education in the wilderness
The theme of survival and self-education in the wilderness weaves through Tarzan of the Apes, adding depth to its narrative.
The noble savage and civilizations corruption
In Tarzan of the Apes, the noble savage and civilizations corruption provides a lens for understanding the story's core message.
Love and the conflict between two worlds
In Tarzan of the Apes, love and the conflict between two worlds provides a lens for understanding the story's core message.
Why Tarzan of the Apes is still relevant today
Tarzan of the Apes created one of the most recognizable characters in world fiction and spawned over two hundred films, television series, comics, and adaptations across every medium. The novel established the feral-child archetype in modern popular culture and raised enduring questions about nature versus nurture, civilization versus wildness, and what it means to be human. Published in 1912, it remains one of the bestselling novels of all time. Now in the public domain, it is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of adventure fiction, popular culture, and the origins of the modern action hero.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tarzan of the Apes about?
Tarzan of the Apes tells the story of an English noblemans son who is orphaned in the African jungle and raised by great apes. He teaches himself to read, becomes lord of the jungle, and faces a life-changing choice when he encounters Jane Porter and the world of human civilization.
When was Tarzan of the Apes published?
Tarzan of the Apes was first serialized in The All-Story magazine in October 1912 and published as a novel in 1914. It became an immediate bestseller and launched one of the most successful franchise characters in entertainment history.
Is Tarzan of the Apes in the public domain?
Yes, Tarzan of the Apes is in the public domain in the United States and can be read freely online. However, the character name Tarzan is still a registered trademark of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc.
How many Tarzan books did Burroughs write?
Burroughs wrote twenty-four Tarzan novels between 1912 and 1947, plus several short stories. The series traces Tarzans adventures from his childhood among the apes through decades of jungle exploits and encounters with lost civilizations.
What is the relationship between Tarzan and Jane Porter?
Jane Porter is an American woman who arrives in the African jungle with a group of castaways. She and Tarzan fall in love, creating the central romantic tension of the series as Tarzan must navigate between his jungle world and human civilization.