Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle · Chapter
XX: "I Love You!" explained
Tarzan jousts with a Knight of the Sepulcher, defeating him with a spear throw, then discards his armor to pursue Blake.
What happens
Tarzan jousts with a Knight of the Sepulcher, defeating him with a spear throw, then discards his armor to pursue Blake. Blake and Guinalda are ambushed by Ibn Jad and his Arabs, who feign friendship before capturing them both.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Chivalry
Tarzan's unorthodox but effective jousting challenges traditional knightly ethics, while Blake's rescue attempt reflects chivalric ideals.
Loyalty and Betrayal
Ibn Jad's Arabs feign friendship before betraying Blake and capturing Guinalda.
Survival and Resilience
Tarzan discards heavy armor to move swiftly, and Blake faces a dangerous journey unarmed.
Characters to notice
- Tarzan
Jousts and defeats a Knight of the Sepulcher, then discards armor to track Blake.
- James Hunter Blake
Rescues Guinalda from battle, then is ambushed and captured by Ibn Jad's Arabs.
- Princess Guinalda
Kidnapped by Ibn Jad's Arabs after being rescued by Blake.
- Fahd Ibn Jad
Speaks French to deceive Blake, then helps capture him and Guinalda.
- Fahd Ibn Jad
Leads the Arab party that captures Blake and Guinalda.
- Sir Bertram
Rides with Tarzan and observes his unconventional jousting.
Key passages
“It was not Viscount Greystoke who faced the Knight of the Sepulcher; it was not the king of the great apes. It was the chief of the Waziri, and no other arm in the world could cast a war spear as could his.”
Tarzan fought not as a nobleman or ape-king, but as a Waziri warrior, using his unmatched spear-throwing skill.
Highlights Tarzan's identity shift during combat.
“Ibn Jad, as he had come across the valley from the City of the Sepulcher toward the city that he had seen upon the opposite side, had been perturbed by the great clouds of dust...”
Ibn Jad was alarmed by the dust raised by the knights and hid in the forest to observe.
Sets up the ambush of Blake and Guinalda.
“Of a sudden the smiles vanished from their faces as, at a signal from their sheik, four stalwart Beduins leaped upon the American and bore him to the ground, snatching his gun from him, while simultaneously two others seized the Princess Guinalda.”
The Arabs' friendly demeanor turned to treachery as they overpowered Blake and captured Guinalda.
Climactic betrayal leading to the kidnapping.