Tarzan the Untamed
What is Tarzan the Untamed about?
Tarzan the Untamed, published in 1920, is the seventh novel in Edgar Rice Burroughs's Tarzan series and is set during World War I. The story opens with a devastating blow: German soldiers attack the Greystoke estate, and Tarzan believes Jane has been murdered. Consumed by grief and rage, Tarzan reverts to his most savage state and wages a one-man guerrilla war against the German forces in East Africa, using his jungle skills to devastating effect. His campaign of vengeance takes him behind enemy lines, where he encounters Bertha Kircher, a German spy whose true loyalties prove more complex than they first appear. Tarzan's pursuit leads him and Bertha through harrowing dangers, including a lost valley inhabited by primitive winged men and a city of mad inhabitants. The novel is one of the grimmest in the series, driven by Tarzan's grief-fueled fury and the horrors of war, while still delivering Burroughs's signature lost-world discoveries and breathless pacing. Tarzan the Untamed stands as a powerful fusion of war fiction and jungle adventure.
Main themes in Tarzan the Untamed
War, grief, and vengeance
War, grief, and vengeance emerges as a defining element in Tarzan the Untamed, shaping character development.
The thin line between civilization and savagery
In Tarzan the Untamed, the thin line between civilization and savagery provides a lens for understanding the story's core message.
Espionage and shifting loyalties
The theme of espionage and shifting loyalties weaves through Tarzan the Untamed, adding depth to its narrative.
Lost civilizations hidden by war
Tarzan the Untamed thoughtfully explores lost civilizations hidden by war through its central conflicts.
Why Tarzan the Untamed is still relevant today
Tarzan the Untamed is notable for blending the Tarzan adventure series with World War I settings, creating one of the earliest examples of a fictional hero engaging with a real-world conflict. The novel portrays Tarzan at his most savage and introduces moral ambiguity through the character of Bertha Kircher. Its lost-valley sequences continue Burroughs's tradition of hidden civilizations. As a public-domain work, it appeals to readers interested in the intersection of war fiction and adventure fantasy.
More by this author
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tarzan the Untamed about?
Set during World War I, Tarzan believes Jane has been killed by German soldiers and wages a savage one-man war against them in East Africa. His quest for vengeance leads him through enemy territory and into a lost valley of primitive winged men.
Is Tarzan the Untamed set during a real war?
Yes, the novel is set during World War I in East Africa, where German and British forces actually fought. Burroughs uses the historical conflict as a backdrop for Tarzans personal war of vengeance.
Does Jane die in Tarzan the Untamed?
Tarzan believes Jane has been killed at the start of the novel, which drives his vengeful rampage. The resolution of Janes fate provides a key element of suspense throughout the story.
Who is Bertha Kircher?
Bertha Kircher is a German woman whom Tarzan encounters during his campaign. Initially appearing to be an enemy spy, her character proves more complex, and her evolving relationship with Tarzan adds moral depth to the adventure.