Tarzan of the Apes · Chapter
VIII: The Treetop Hunter explained
Tarzan devises a plan to hunt and kill Sabor the lioness using a rope noose, learning from past failures.
What happens
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 superiority.
Themes in this chapter
Survival and Strength
Tarzan's hunting of Sabor demonstrates his physical prowess and strategic thinking for survival.
Savagery and Brutality
The violent encounter with Sabor and the raw power of the storm highlight the brutal aspects of nature.
Identity and Belonging
Tarzan's conflicting desires about wearing clothes reflect his struggle between his ape upbringing and human heritage.
Characters to notice
- Tarzan
Devises a plan to hunt Sabor, reflects on clothing and human superiority, and survives a storm.
- Sabor
The lioness is the target of Tarzan's hunting plan; she escapes his first trap but is later caught.
- Kala
Dances for joy and pride after Tarzan recounts his adventure.
- Kerchak
Leader of the ape tribe; the tribe moves through the forest.
- Tublat
His body is left where it fell after being killed by Tarzan.
Key passages
“He had learned from experience. The lioness had taken but half her second bound when she felt the rope tighten about her neck; her body turned completely over in the air and she fell with a heavy crash upon her back.”
Tarzan improved his technique: the lioness was caught mid-leap and flipped onto her back.
Shows Tarzan's adaptive learning from previous failure.
“At the bottom of his little English heart beat the great desire to cover his nakedness with clothes for he had learned from his picture books that all men were so covered, while monkeys and apes and every other living thing went naked.”
Tarzan wanted to wear clothes because his books showed that humans wore them, unlike animals.
Reveals Tarzan's internal conflict about his identity.
“The deluge came—all hell broke loose upon the jungle. The tribe shivering from the cold rain, huddled at the bases of great trees.”
A violent storm struck, and the apes cowered together for shelter.
Depicts the harshness of the jungle environment.