Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar · Chapter
Home explained
Tarzan rescues Jane from the Abyssinian camp during a lion attack, and they reunite with the Waziri and Mugambi.
What happens
Tarzan rescues Jane from the Abyssinian camp during a lion attack, and they reunite with the Waziri and Mugambi. They return to rebuild their home, and later discover the remains of Albert Werper along with the jewels of Opar, which Mugambi had replaced with gravel but which somehow returned to Werper's pouch.
Themes in this chapter
Survival and Adaptation
Tarzan and Jane survive the lion attack and the chaos of the Abyssinian camp, adapting to the dangers of the jungle.
Greed and Betrayal
Werper's greed for the jewels leads to his death, and Mugambi's trickery with the gravel highlights the theme of betrayal and deception.
Honor and Redemption
Werper's single act of chivalry toward Jane is seen as a redeeming quality, and Tarzan forgives him in death.
Characters to notice
- Tarzan
Rescues Jane from the Abyssinian camp and later discovers Werper's remains and the jewels.
- Jane Clayton
Rescued by Tarzan, reunited with the Waziri, and reflects on Werper's redeeming act.
- Albert Werper
His remains are found with the jewels of Opar; his past actions are discussed and partially redeemed.
- Mugambi
Revealed to be alive, he explains how he replaced the jewels with gravel in Werper's pouch.
- Basuli
Leads the Waziri warriors and recounts the theft of the gold ingots from the raiders.
Key passages
“Straight as homing pigeons, the two made their way toward the ruin and desolation that had once been the center of their happy lives”
Tarzan and Jane headed directly back to their destroyed home.
Describes their return to the Greystoke estate after the rescue.
“Deep in the soul of every man, said Tarzan, must lurk the germ of righteousness.”
Tarzan believes that every person has an innate potential for goodness.
Tarzan's reflection on Werper's redeeming act.
“Even in death he has made restitution—let his sins lie with his bones.”
Werper's return of the jewels in death atones for his crimes.
Tarzan's final judgment on Werper.