Tarzan and the Ant Men · Chapter
XIII explained
Komodoflorensal devises a plan to be assigned to the same work crew as Tarzan by pretending to communicate with him in a foreign language.
What happens
Komodoflorensal devises a plan to be assigned to the same work crew as Tarzan by pretending to communicate with him in a foreign language. The deception succeeds, and they are both summoned to their master Zoanthrohago. Tarzan, Komodoflorensal, and Talaskar discuss escape, and Tarzan vows to take Talaskar with them. The chapter also describes the Minunian numeral system and the military drill of Veltopismakus, contrasting its parade-ground perfection with Trohanadalmakus's practical warfare training.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Manipulation
Komodoflorensal's ruse of speaking gibberish to simulate communication with Tarzan exemplifies the theme of deception to achieve freedom.
Power and Hierarchy
The chapter explores the rigid caste system of Veltopismakus, with green-tunicked slaves, white-tunicked slaves, warriors, and nobles, and the absolute power of masters over slaves.
Survival and Adaptation
Tarzan and Komodoflorensal adapt to their slave conditions by using deception and planning an escape, highlighting their survival instincts.
Characters to notice
- Tarzan
Works in the timbering crew, feigns ignorance of Minunian language, and plots escape with Komodoflorensal and Talaskar.
- Komodoflorensal
Devises a plan to communicate with Tarzan using gibberish, successfully deceives the Veltopismakusians, and is assigned to accompany Tarzan to Zoanthrohago.
- Talaskar
Prepares breakfast for Tarzan and Komodoflorensal; Tarzan promises to take her with them if they escape.
- Kalfastoban
The surly Vental overseeing the quarry work; is deceived by Komodoflorensal's ruse.
- Zoanthrohago
Tarzan's master who has sent for him; Tarzan vows to break his neck at the first opportunity.
- Caraftap
A slave working near Tarzan who shoots venomous looks at him.
Key passages
““When we go,” replied Tarzan, “we must take Talaskar with us.””
Tarzan insists that Talaskar must be included in their escape plan.
Demonstrates Tarzan's loyalty and compassion toward Talaskar.
“Komodoflorensal turned toward Tarzan and voiced a dozen syllables of incomprehensible gibberish and when he was done the ape-man nodded his head.”
Komodoflorensal speaks nonsense to Tarzan, who nods in agreement, fooling the guards into believing they share a language.
Key moment of deception that allows them to work together.
““Tell them,” said Tarzan, in English, which, of course, not one of them understood, “that at the first opportunity I shall break the neck of my master...””
Tarzan, speaking English, threatens to kill his master Zoanthrohago and escape with Komodoflorensal and Talaskar.
Reveals Tarzan's defiant and rebellious intentions.