# Bolgani the Gorilla explained — Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle

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

## What happens

Tarzan intervenes to save Bolgani the gorilla from a python and from the hunter Stimbol, forging an unlikely friendship. Meanwhile, tensions between Blake and Stimbol reach a breaking point after Stimbol abuses a porter, leading to a split in their safari.

## Themes in this chapter

### Survival and Resilience

Tarzan's battle with the python demonstrates his superhuman strength and will to survive, while Bolgani endures near-fatal injuries.

### Loyalty and Betrayal

Tarzan sets aside his lifelong enmity with Bolgani to save him, forging a new bond of loyalty; Blake's loyalty to fair treatment causes him to break with Stimbol.

### Civilization vs. Wilderness

Stimbol's arrogant, trophy-hunting mindset clashes with Tarzan's law of the jungle, where respect and survival govern actions.

## Character check-ins

### Tarzan

Tarzan drops from a tree to save Bolgani from a python and later prevents Stimbol from shooting the gorilla, asserting his authority as Lord of the Jungle.

### Bolgani

Bolgani is nearly killed by a python and then rescued by Tarzan; after initial hostility, he agrees to be friends with Tarzan.

### Nasrany Stimbol

Stimbol attempts to shoot Bolgani for a trophy but is thwarted by Tarzan; he later abuses a porter, leading to a confrontation with Blake.

### James Hunter Blake

Blake is introduced as a young American on safari with Stimbol; he defends a porter from Stimbol's abuse and decides to split the safari.

### Histah

Histah the python attacks Bolgani and is killed by Tarzan in a fierce battle.

## Key lines

> In the heart of Tarzan was no great love for Bolgani the gorilla. Since childhood the shaggy, giant man-beast had been the natural foe of the ape-man. ... But now when he saw the huge brute beset by two of the natural enemies of both the Mangani and the Bolgani, there flared within his breast a sudden loyalty that burned away the personal prejudices of a lifetime.

Tarzan had always considered gorillas his enemies, but seeing Bolgani attacked by a python and a hunter, he felt an unexpected loyalty that overcame his old grudges.

_Tarzan's internal shift from enmity to protective loyalty toward Bolgani._

> “Go back to your camp,” he said. “I shall come there later this evening and talk with you and your companion. In the meantime hunt no more except for food in Tarzan’s country.”

Tarzan orders Stimbol to return to camp and stop hunting for trophies, asserting his dominion over the jungle.

_Tarzan establishes his authority and sets boundaries for Stimbol._

> “You damned clumsy nigger!” he cried, and before Blake could interfere or the porter protect himself the angry white man stepped quickly over the fallen load and struck the black a terrific blow in the face that felled him; and as he lay there, Stimbol kicked him in the side. But only once! Before he could repeat the outrage Blake seized him by the shoulder, wheeled him about and struck him precisely as he had struck the black.

Stimbol violently assaulted a porter who accidentally tripped, and Blake immediately retaliated by hitting Stimbol the same way.

_Blake's decisive intervention against Stimbol's cruelty marks the breaking point in their relationship._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_lord_of_the_jungle_se/chapters/iv-bolgani-the-gorilla
- 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