# IX: The Theft of the Jewels explained — Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar

> Chapter companion for Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

## What happens

Werper discovers the murdered bodies of his three black companions, realizing he narrowly escaped death. Tarzan, having reverted to a primitive state, shows no concern. Werper covets Tarzan's pouch of jewels, but fears the ape-man's strength. He feigns sleep while Tarzan buries the pouch, then stealthily digs it up and hides it in his shirt. They later encounter Basuli and his Waziri warriors carrying gold ingots; Tarzan wants to attack them, but Werper dissuades him, and they follow the Waziri back to the plain, where Werper sees that the Greystoke bungalow is gone.

## Themes in this chapter

### Greed and Betrayal

Werper's avarice drives him to steal the jewels from Tarzan, betraying his trust.

### Survival and Adaptation

Tarzan reverts to jungle instincts, burying his treasure and relying on primal senses.

## Character check-ins

### Albert Werper

Discovers the murdered blacks, fears Tarzan, steals the jewels, and follows the Waziri.

### Tarzan

Reverted to a primitive state, shows no recognition of the Waziri, buries the jewels, and is suspicious of Werper.

### Basuli

Leads the Waziri warriors carrying gold ingots, passes by Tarzan and Werper.

## Key lines

> For two days Werper sought for the party that had accompanied him from the camp to the barrier cliffs; but not until late in the afternoon of the second day did he find clue to its whereabouts, and then in such gruesome form that he was totally unnerved by the sight.

Werper searched for two days for his companions and finally found them brutally murdered, which terrified him.

_Sets the scene for Werper's fear and isolation._

> Tarzan showed not the slightest surprise or interest in the discovery. Inherent in him was a calloused familiarity with violent death.

Tarzan was completely indifferent to the murders, as he was accustomed to violent death.

_Highlights Tarzan's reversion to a primitive mindset._

> Greed had prompted him to an act, the discovery of which by his companion could lead only to the most frightful consequences for Werper.

Werper's greed led him to steal the jewels, knowing that if Tarzan found out, he would face terrible punishment.

_Emphasizes the theme of greed and the risk Werper takes._

## Links

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