# Tarzan of the Apes — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

- [Tarzan of the Apes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/tarzan-of-the-apes.md): The chapter introduces the infant Tarzan, born to Lord and Lady Greystoke on a remote African coast after a mutiny. Following the death of his parents, the infant is adopted by the ape Kala, who raises him among the mang
- [Out to Sea](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/i-out-to-sea.md): John Clayton, Lord Greystoke, and his wife Lady Alice sail from Freetown aboard the Fuwalda, a brutal ship with a vicious captain and crew. After Clayton intervenes to stop the captain from killing a sailor, tensions esc
- [The Savage Home](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/ii-the-savage-home.md): John and Lady Alice Clayton are forced ashore by Black Michael and his mutinous crew on a wild, uninhabited coast. They build a tree-platform shelter for protection against the jungle's dangers, including a panther that 
- [III: Life and Death](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/iii-life-and-death.md): John Clayton builds a cabin for his family, adapting to jungle life while facing loneliness and danger. Lady Alice, traumatized by an ape attack, gives birth to a son but never fully recovers her mental faculties. She di
- [IV: The Apes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/iv-the-apes.md): Kerchak, the king ape, flies into a rage and kills several members of his tribe, including Kala's infant. When the tribe approaches the cabin of John and Alice Clayton, Kerchak kills John Clayton. Kala, driven by materna
- [V: The White Ape](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/v-the-white-ape.md): Tarzan, now a young boy, becomes acutely aware of his physical differences from the apes, feeling shame at his hairless skin and human features. He discovers his reflection in a lake and is horrified by his own appearanc
- [VI: Jungle Battles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/vi-jungle-battles.md): Tarzan discovers the cabin door and enters, finding skeletons and a hunting knife. He later battles a great bull gorilla, sustaining severe wounds, and is rescued and nursed back to health by Kala.
- [VII: The Light of Knowledge](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/vii-the-light-of-knowledge.md): Tarzan continues his self-education using bark and leaves as copybooks, while also honing his hunting skills. The ape tribe has grown under Kerchak's leadership, and Tarzan, now about thirteen, faces persistent persecuti
- [VIII: The Treetop Hunter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/viii-the-treetop-hunter.md): Tarzan devises a plan to hunt and kill Sabor the lioness using a rope noose, learning from past failures. The chapter also describes a violent tropical storm and Tarzan's reflections on clothing as a symbol of human supe
- [Man and Man](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/ix-man-and-man.md): Tarzan grieves the death of Kala, killed by a black warrior, and tracks the murderer Kulonga. He observes Kulonga hunt a boar, then follows him to his village, where he kills him with his rope and knife, avenging Kala. T
- [X: The Fear-Phantom](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/x-the-fear-phantom.md): Tarzan observes the village of Mbonga from the trees, learning about the poisoned arrows used by the natives. He steals a supply of arrows and explores a hut, leaving a mocking display. The discovery of Kulonga's body an
- [XI: King of the Apes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xi-king-of-the-apes.md): Tarzan returns to the tribe, boasting of his adventures and spoils, but Kerchak is jealous. He practices archery and discovers his father's diary and photograph in a metal box, though he cannot read the French script. He
- [XII: Man's Reason](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xii-man-s-reason.md): Tarzan struggles with the duties of kingship among the apes, finding that his intelligence and human reason set him apart from his tribe. He faces the growing hostility of Terkoz, who challenges his authority. After Terk
- [His Own Kind](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xiii-his-own-kind.md): Tarzan, recovering from his battle with Terkoz, returns to his cabin to find it ransacked by white sailors. He witnesses them murder one of their own and decides they are no better than the apes or black men. He then goe
- [At the Mercy of the Jungle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xiv-at-the-mercy-of-the-jungle.md): After Clayton ventures into the jungle, the mutineers flee to the Arrow, leaving Jane and Esmeralda barricaded in the cabin. Tarzan observes the party, feels a connection to the white girl, and follows Clayton into the j
- [XV: The Forest God](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xv-the-forest-god.md): Tarzan carries Clayton through the jungle to reach the cabin, where Sabor is attacking Jane and Esmeralda. Tarzan and Clayton pull the lioness from the window, and Tarzan kills Sabor with his bare hands. Jane and Clayton
- [Most Remarkable](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xvi-most-remarkable.md): Professor Porter and Mr. Philander, lost on the beach, argue about history and the Moors until a lion approaches. They flee in terror, and Tarzan rescues them by pulling them into a tree. Afterward, the group discusses t
- [Burials](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xvii-burials.md): Tarzan observes the mutineers burying a treasure chest and killing Snipes. Later, he watches the cabin's inhabitants bury the remains of his parents. He steals Jane's manuscript and witnesses the Arrow's departure, follo
- [XVIII: The Jungle Toll](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xviii-the-jungle-toll.md): Tarzan awakens and rereads Jane Porter's letter, struggling to decipher the handwriting but eventually succeeding. He learns about the party's background, their perilous journey, and their fear of the mysterious 'Tarzan 
- [XIX: The Call of the Primitive](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xix-the-call-of-the-primitive.md): Terkoz is driven from the ape tribe and wanders the jungle, where he captures Jane Porter. Tarzan tracks them, fights and kills Terkoz, then claims Jane with a kiss. Jane initially responds but then repulses him, and Tar
- [XX: Heredity](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xx-heredity.md): Tarzan carries Jane through the jungle to the ape amphitheater, where he provides her with fruit and builds a bower for her. Jane feels a growing sense of trust and love for Tarzan, despite his savage nature. Tarzan, inf
- [The Village of Torture](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xxi-the-village-of-torture.md): Lieutenant D'Arnot is captured by black warriors from Mbonga's village while leading a search party for Jane Porter. He is taken to the village and subjected to a brutal torture ritual at the stake. Tarzan, having heard 
- [XXII: The Search Party](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xxii-the-search-party.md): The search party returns to the beach camp, reuniting Jane with her father and Clayton. Jane anxiously inquires about the forest man who rescued her, leading to a tense exchange with Clayton, who dismisses the man as a s
- [Brother Men](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xxiii-brother-men.md): Tarzan nurses D'Arnot back to health after his fever, teaching him to speak French in the process. When they return to the cabin, they find it deserted—Jane and the others have sailed away, leaving only letters. Tarzan, 
- [Lost Treasure](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xxiv-lost-treasure.md): The expedition debates whether to leave the jungle after failing to rescue D'Arnot. Jane Porter passionately defends the forest man, arguing that his continued absence proves he is still aiding D'Arnot. Despite the loss 
- [The Outpost of the World](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xxv-the-outpost-of-the-world.md): D'Arnot reads John Clayton's diary to Tarzan, revealing the story of Lord and Lady Greystoke. Tarzan doubts he is the child mentioned, believing the infant died. They encounter a French mission, where Tarzan learns civil
- [The Height of Civilization](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xxvi-the-height-of-civilization.md): Tarzan and D'Arnot arrive at a coastal town, where Tarzan begins to adapt to civilized life. He demonstrates his extraordinary abilities by killing a lion with only a knife and rope to win a wager, and later retrieves th
- [The Giant Again](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xxvii-the-giant-again.md): Tarzan rescues Jane from a fire and they reunite, discussing their feelings and the obstacles to their union, including Jane's promise to marry Robert Canler due to her father's debt. Meanwhile, in Baltimore, Canler pres
- [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xxviii-conclusion.md): In the final chapter, Tarzan rescues Jane and the party from the forest fire and brings them to a hotel. Robert Canler arrives with a preacher to force Jane into marriage, but Tarzan violently intervenes, forcing Canler 

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