# XV explained — Tarzan and the Ant Men

> Chapter companion for Tarzan and the Ant Men by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

## What happens

Tarzan and Komodoflorensal escape their prison chamber by descending a makeshift ladder of hooked rods down the interior shaft of the dome. They enter a storage room filled with confiscated wine, then discover a chamber with six dead bodies. Tarzan plans to escape that night before they are sent to the quarries, but finds the roof inaccessible, forcing them to cross through the dome.

## Themes in this chapter

### Survival and Adaptation

Tarzan adapts to the Minunian environment, using hooked rods to create a ladder and planning a daring escape.

### Deception and Manipulation

Tarzan and Komodoflorensal arrange the rods to appear undisturbed, deceiving their captors.

## Character check-ins

### Tarzan

Leads the escape attempt, crafting a ladder of hooked rods and descending the dome shaft.

### Komodoflorensal

Accompanies Tarzan, expresses doubt but follows with faith.

### Zoanthrohago

Mentioned as the one who is done with the prisoners, ordering them to the quarry.

## Key lines

> I shall go first, Komodoflorensal. Come to the edge of the embrasure and when you hear me whistle once, follow me.

Tarzan tells Komodoflorensal to wait for a whistle signal before descending.

_Tarzan coordinates their escape with a simple signal._

> We haven't started yet; but we are going to now. Come!

Tarzan declares the real escape is about to begin.

_Tarzan's determination to proceed despite the dangers._

> Because, since they expect to remove us to the quarries tomorrow, it follows that we must escape tonight.

Tarzan reasons that their imminent transfer forces an immediate escape.

_Tarzan's strategic thinking under pressure._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_and_the_ant_men_se/chapters/xv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_and_the_ant_men_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_and_the_ant_men_se/chapters