The Son of Tarzan
What is The Son of Tarzan about?
The Son of Tarzan, published in 1915, is the fourth novel in Edgar Rice Burroughs's Tarzan series and shifts the spotlight to Tarzan's son, Jack Clayton, known by his ape name Korak, meaning The Killer. Despite his parents' efforts to raise him in English civilization, young Jack is drawn to the jungle by an irresistible hereditary call. When the villainous Paulvitch brings Akut, a trained great ape, to London, Jack befriends the animal and eventually runs away with him to Africa, where he rapidly adapts to life in the wild, mirroring his father's upbringing. In the jungle Korak rescues and befriends Meriem, a young girl held captive by a cruel Arab sheikh, and the two grow up together in the wild. As they mature, their bond deepens into love, but their happiness is threatened by slavers, vengeful enemies, and the collision between jungle life and the civilized world that claims them. The Son of Tarzan explores whether the qualities that made Tarzan extraordinary can be inherited and whether the call of the wild is embedded in blood.
Main themes in The Son of Tarzan
Heredity and the call of the wild
The presence of heredity and the call of the wild in The Son of Tarzan connects readers to its enduring relevance.
Coming of age in the wilderness
The presence of coming of age in the wilderness in The Son of Tarzan connects readers to its enduring relevance.
Parent-child relationships and legacy
The theme of parent-child relationships and legacy weaves through The Son of Tarzan, adding depth to its narrative.
Love growing from shared hardship
The Son of Tarzan thoughtfully explores love growing from shared hardship through its central conflicts.
Why The Son of Tarzan is still relevant today
The Son of Tarzan extends the Tarzan mythos to the next generation, exploring heredity and the nature-versus-nurture debate through a new jungle hero. The novel introduced Korak, who became a popular character in his own right across comics and other media. Its coming-of-age narrative in a wilderness setting influenced subsequent adventure fiction. As a public-domain classic, it appeals to readers interested in generational storytelling and the enduring question of whether wildness is inherited or learned.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Korak in the Tarzan series?
Korak, meaning The Killer in the ape language, is Jack Clayton, the son of Tarzan and Jane. Despite being raised in England, he inherits his fathers affinity for the jungle and becomes a powerful wilderness hero in his own right.
What is The Son of Tarzan about?
The novel follows Jack Clayton, Tarzans son, who escapes civilization for the African jungle. He grows up wild like his father, rescues a girl named Meriem from captivity, and the two face dangers from slavers and enemies while discovering their love for each other.
Who is Meriem?
Meriem is a young girl rescued by Korak from an abusive Arab captor. She grows up alongside Korak in the jungle and eventually becomes his love interest. Her true identity as the daughter of a French officer is revealed later in the story.
Can I read The Son of Tarzan without reading the previous books?
While it helps to know Tarzans backstory, The Son of Tarzan focuses on new characters and a fresh narrative, making it accessible as a standalone adventure.