Themes & patterns

The book contrasts the civilized world of Lord Greystoke with the primal jungle existence of Tarzan the ape-man, exploring how Tarzan regresses to a savage state after losing his memory, finding happiness in the simple, instinctual life of the wild.

Characters like Albert Werper and Achmet Zek are driven by avarice for gold and jewels, leading to theft, murder, and betrayal of trust, as seen when Werper steals the gems and conspires against his host and his Arab master.

La, the High Priestess of Opar, experiences a consuming, unrequited love for Tarzan that transforms into a vengeful obsession, driving her to pursue him across the jungle and threaten his life when her affections are spurned.

The narrative emphasizes the harsh realities of jungle survival, where characters must rely on physical prowess, cunning, and acute senses—as Tarzan does when tracking prey or escaping danger—to endure in a hostile environment.

Themes of honor appear in Werper's initial disgrace and later ambiguous acts, such as sparing Jane Clayton, while Tarzan's loyalty to his Waziri warriors and his eventual forgiveness of Werper suggest the possibility of moral redemption.

The book reflects colonial attitudes through its depiction of African tribes, Arab raiders, and the degraded Oparians, often portraying non-European cultures as savage or exotic, while the white protagonists are positioned as superior or central.

Tarzan's dual identity as both the civilized Lord Greystoke and the primal ape-man is central, with his amnesia causing a complete reversion to his savage self, highlighting the tension between his two natures.

Characters seek vengeance for wrongs—La for Tarzan's desecration of her temple, the Waziri for the raid on their village—while Tarzan's pursuit of Werper and the eventual restoration of order suggest a primitive form of justice.