Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle · Chapter
XXII: Bride of the Ape explained
Blake is freed from his dungeon by Sir Wildred and Sir Guy, who help him escape the castle of the Knights of the Sepulcher.
What happens
Blake is freed from his dungeon by Sir Wildred and Sir Guy, who help him escape the castle of the Knights of the Sepulcher. Meanwhile, Princess Guinalda, Fahd Ibn Jad, and Nasrany Stimbol, starving and desperate, encounter the ape tribe of Toyat. Fahd shoots a young ape, provoking the bulls to attack. Toyat claims Guinalda as his 'she' and flees with her into the jungle, pursued by the rival ape Go-yad. A lion interrupts the ensuing duel, causing both apes to flee, and the lion approaches the unconscious princess.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Chivalry
Sir Wildred and Sir Guy risk punishment to free Blake, acting on chivalric duty to prevent injustice.
Survival and Resilience
Guinalda, Fahd, and Stimbol endure starvation and exhaustion; Blake withstands dungeon horrors.
Civilization vs. Wilderness
The contrast between the ordered castle of knights and the chaotic, primal jungle ruled by apes and lions.
Characters to notice
- James Hunter Blake
Freed from dungeon by Sir Wildred and Sir Guy; escapes the castle and rides toward the Mountains of the Sepulcher.
- Sir Wildred
Helps Blake escape by filing off his shackles and smuggling him through secret passages.
- Sir Guy
Assists in Blake's escape; meets them at the outer barbican.
- Princess Guinalda
Captured by Toyat the ape; later abandoned when a lion appears; faints from terror.
- Fahd Ibn Jad
Shoots a young ape, triggering the attack; flees cowardly, pushing Guinalda aside.
- Nasrany Stimbol
Flees with Fahd after the ape attack.
- Toyat
King ape who claims Guinalda as his 'she'; fights Go-yad but flees when a lion appears.
- Go-yad
Challenges Toyat for possession of Guinalda; retreats when confronted by the lion.
Key passages
“Wildred smuggled him through secret passages to his own quarters and there gave him food and new clothing and a suit of armor, for now that they knew he was riding out over the pass into the strange country they had decided that he could only be permitted to do so properly armored, armed and mounted.”
Wildred secretly led Blake through hidden corridors to his room, where he provided him with food, fresh clothes, and armor, since they agreed he must be fully equipped for his journey over the mountain pass into unknown lands.
Blake's escape and preparation for the journey into the Forbidden Valley.
“Toyat, the king ape, picked a succulent beetle from the decaying bark of a fallen tree. About him were the great, savage people of his tribe.”
Toyat, the leader of the apes, was eating a beetle from a rotting log, surrounded by his fierce tribe.
Introduction of Toyat and his ape tribe in a peaceful moment.
“The Beduin raised his ancient weapon and took aim. He pressed the trigger and the ensuing roar mingled with the scream of pain and terror that burst from the wounded balu.”
Fahd aimed his old musket and fired, the shot roaring as a young ape screamed in pain and fear.
Fahd shoots a young ape, provoking the tribe's attack.
“Toyat turned back. 'I kill!' he screamed. Go-yad came on and suddenly Toyat seized Guinalda in his hairy arms and fled into the jungle.”
Toyat shouted 'I kill!' and as Go-yad advanced, he grabbed Guinalda and ran into the jungle.
Toyat claims Guinalda and flees with her.
“The king of beasts surveyed her for a moment and then walked toward her. Guinalda clasped her hands and prayed—not for life, for hope of that she had long since resigned, but for death, speedy and painless.”
The lion looked at Guinalda and approached; she prayed not for survival, which she had given up on, but for a quick and merciful death.
Guinalda's despair as the lion approaches.
