Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle · Chapter
XV: The Lonely Grave explained
Stimbol murders Tarzan in his sleep, believing he is killing the ape-man.
What happens
Stimbol murders Tarzan in his sleep, believing he is killing the ape-man. Ibn Jad publicly condemns Stimbol and has Tarzan's body buried in a shallow, unmarked grave. Fahd secretly offers to save Stimbol in exchange for a huge ransom. Ibn Jad then negotiates with the Galla chief Batando to enter the forbidden valley, surrendering his Galla slaves and marching into the mountains toward the Valley of the Sepulcher.
Themes in this chapter
Greed and Treasure
Fahd's willingness to save Stimbol for a ransom of twenty million francs underscores the theme of greed overriding loyalty or justice.
Justice and Vengeance
Ibn Jad's public condemnation of Stimbol and the debate over punishing him reflect the theme of justice, though it is manipulated for political ends.
Survival and Resilience
Stimbol's desperate plea for his life and Fahd's calculated negotiation illustrate the theme of survival through cunning and resourcefulness.
Characters to notice
- Tarzan
Murdered in his sleep by Stimbol; buried in a lonely, unmarked grave beneath a forest giant.
- Nasrany Stimbol
Commits the murder of Tarzan; is seized by Ibn Jad and later bargains with Fahd for his life.
- Fahd Ibn Jad
Guards Stimbol and secretly agrees to save him in exchange for a ransom of twenty million francs.
- Fahd Ibn Jad
Publicly condemns Stimbol for Tarzan's murder; leads negotiations with Batando and prepares to enter the valley.
- Batando
Galla chief who negotiates with Ibn Jad, demanding the release of Galla slaves before guiding the party to the valley entrance.
- Fejjuan
Galla slave freed by Batando's demand; marches with his own people.
Key passages
“Roughly the slaves rolled the corpse into the hole they had made, shovelled the dirt upon it and left it in its lonely, unmarked tomb.”
The slaves carelessly dumped the body into the shallow grave, covered it with dirt, and abandoned it in a desolate, unmarked resting place.
Emphasizes the ignominious end of Tarzan and the loneliness of his grave.
“Save me, Fahd! Save me and I will give you twenty million francs—I swear it!”
Stimbol begs Fahd to rescue him, promising an enormous ransom of twenty million francs.
Highlights Stimbol's desperation and the theme of greed.
“There lies the trail into the valley. Here we leave you and return to our villages. Upon the morrow we go.”
Batando points out the entrance to the valley and informs Ibn Jad that the Galla will depart the next day.
Marks the transition to the next phase of the journey into the forbidden valley.