Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle · Chapter
The Saracens! explained
Ibn Jad and his Beduins discover the pass into the Valley of the Sepulcher and launch a surprise attack on the outer barbican and castle of King Bohun.
What happens
Ibn Jad and his Beduins discover the pass into the Valley of the Sepulcher and launch a surprise attack on the outer barbican and castle of King Bohun. Exploiting centuries of lax vigilance, they overcome the defenders with their matchlocks, seize the castle, and plunder its treasure. Sir Bulland, the marshal, is killed by gunfire, and Ibn Jad, now holding the castle, plans to explore the valley further toward the city of Nimmr.
Themes in this chapter
Civilization vs. Wilderness
The isolated, anachronistic civilization of the Valley of the Sepulcher is violently breached by the outside world through Ibn Jad's invasion.
Greed and Treasure
Ibn Jad's primary motivation is treasure; he ransacks the castle and, despite already having great wealth, desires more.
Honor and Chivalry
Sir Bulland's refusal to flee despite the supernatural terror of gunfire exemplifies the chivalric code of honor.
Racial and Cultural Conflict
The Saracens (Arabs) are portrayed as cunning, ruthless invaders against the Christian knights of the Sepulcher, highlighting centuries-old religious and cultural enmity.
Characters to notice
- Fahd Ibn Jad
Leads the Beduin attack on the Valley of the Sepulcher, captures the castle of King Bohun, and gathers treasure.
- Sir Bulland
Marshal of the castle; killed by a matchlock shot while defending the gate.
- King Bohun
Mentioned as being away at the Great Tourney; his castle is captured in his absence.
Key passages
“What he saw in the foreground was the barbican guarding the approach to the castle and the city, both of which were situated in much the same relative position as were the barbican and castle upon the south side of the valley where Prince Gobred guarded the city of Nimmr and the valley beyond it against the daily expected assault of the Saracens.”
The barbican and castle ahead mirrored the defenses on the south side of the valley, where Prince Gobred stood watch against the anticipated Saracen attack.
Establishes the symmetrical geography of the valley and the constant threat of invasion.
“They were brave men in the face of dangers that were natural and to be expected, but in the presence of the supernatural, the weird, the uncanny, they reacted as most men do, and what could have been more weird than death leaping in flame and with a great noise through space to strike their fellow down?”
The defenders could face ordinary dangers bravely, but the strange, loud, flaming weapons of the Arabs terrified them as something supernatural.
Highlights the psychological impact of firearms on a medieval society.
“Sir Bulland could not run away and so he sat there on his great horse and challenged the Saracens to mortal combat; challenged them to send their doughtiest sir knight to meet him and thus decide who should hold the gate.”
Bound by honor, Sir Bulland remained on his horse and called for single combat to decide the gate's fate.
Illustrates the chivalric code clashing with the pragmatic, honorless tactics of the Beduins.
“Having more wealth than he possibly could use he wanted more. No, not so strange after all, for Ibn Jad was human.”
Even with more treasure than he could ever spend, Ibn Jad's greed drove him to seek even greater riches.
Reflects the universal human tendency toward insatiable greed.