# I: Tantor the Elephant explained — Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle

> Chapter companion for Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

## What happens

Tarzan dozes on the back of Tantor the elephant, enjoying the peace of the jungle. Meanwhile, Arab hunters led by Fahd and Motlog, accompanied by the Galla slave Fejjuan, stalk the elephant. They capture Tarzan and bring him to the camp of Sheik Ibn Jad. Tarzan confronts Ibn Jad, accusing him of slave-taking and poaching, and orders him to leave. Ibn Jad refuses and, after a council with his men, decides to have Tarzan secretly killed.

## Themes in this chapter

### Civilization vs. Wilderness

Tarzan's bond with Tantor and the jungle contrasts with the destructive intrusion of Arab hunters and slave traders.

### Survival and Resilience

Tarzan remains defiant and resourceful even when captured and bound, threatening Ibn Jad with retribution.

### Racial and Cultural Conflict

The chapter highlights tensions between Tarzan (the white 'Lord of the Jungle'), Arab slavers, and African slaves like Fejjuan.

## Character check-ins

### Tarzan

Dozes on Tantor's back, is captured by Arab hunters, confronts Ibn Jad, and is bound and threatened with death.

### Tantor

The elephant upon whose back Tarzan rests; described as ancient and powerful, wary of men.

### Fahd Ibn Jad

Hunts with Motlog and Fejjuan; fires at Tantor; captures Tarzan and brings him to Ibn Jad.

### Fejjuan

Galla slave and hunter who leads the party stalking Tantor; dreams of returning to his homeland.

### Fahd Ibn Jad

Sheik of the Beny Salem; interrogates Tarzan, refuses to leave, and plots his secret murder.

### Tollog

Brother of Ibn Jad; suggests the secret killing of Tarzan to avoid retaliation.

## Key lines

> His great bulk swaying to and fro as he threw his weight first upon one side and then upon the other, Tantor the elephant lolled in the shade of the father of forests.

Tantor the elephant swayed lazily in the shade of an ancient tree.

_Opens the chapter with a peaceful image of the elephant resting._

> Man alone had made war upon him. Man, who holds the unique distinction among created things of making war on all living creatures, even to his own kind.

Only humans attack Tantor, as they are the only creatures that wage war on all other life, including each other.

_Highlights the theme of human destructiveness versus animal innocence._

> Hate, vengeance, envy, avarice, lust are a few of the delightful emotions reserved exclusively for Nature’s noblest work—the lower animals do not know them.

Negative emotions like hate and greed are unique to humans; animals do not experience them.

_Sarcastic commentary on human nature._

> “Be careful, Muslim,” warned Tarzan, “the arms of the ape-man are long—they may reach out even in death and their fingers encircle your throat.”

Tarzan warns Ibn Jad that even if killed, he could still reach out and strangle him.

_Shows Tarzan's defiance and threat even while captive._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_lord_of_the_jungle_se/chapters/i-tantor-the-elephant
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_lord_of_the_jungle_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_lord_of_the_jungle_se/chapters