Tarzan of the Apes · Chapter
XIX: The Call of the Primitive explained
Terkoz is driven from the ape tribe and wanders the jungle, where he captures Jane Porter.
What happens
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 Tarzan carries her into the jungle. Meanwhile, a French cruiser and the Arrow arrive offshore, and Clayton signals them with a smoke pyre.
Themes in this chapter
Savagery and Brutality
Terkoz's cruel reign and violent capture of Jane, and the brutal fight between Tarzan and Terkoz.
Love and Instinct
Tarzan's primal claim over Jane and Jane's momentary surrender to instinct before shame intervenes.
Civilization vs. Wilderness
Jane's civilized conscience clashes with the raw, primeval attraction she feels for Tarzan.
Characters to notice
- Tarzan
Tracks and fights Terkoz to rescue Jane, then claims her with a kiss and carries her into the jungle.
- Jane Porter
Captured by Terkoz, rescued by Tarzan, experiences a moment of primal love then repulses him.
- Terkoz
Driven from the ape tribe, captures Jane, and is killed by Tarzan in battle.
- Esmeralda
Screams and faints when Terkoz captures Jane; later waves her red apron to signal the ships.
- John Clayton
Rushes to the signal pyre and waves his shirt to attract the attention of the vessels.
Key passages
“From the time Tarzan left the tribe of great anthropoids in which he had been raised, it was torn by continual strife and discord.”
After Tarzan departed, the ape tribe fell into constant conflict.
Sets the stage for Terkoz's tyranny and eventual expulsion.
“The first intimation Jane Porter had of his presence was when the great hairy body dropped to the earth beside her, and she saw the awful face and the snarling, hideous mouth thrust within a foot of her.”
Jane first realized Terkoz was there when he landed right next to her, his terrifying face inches away.
Describes the sudden terror of Jane's capture.
“When the long knife drank deep a dozen times of Terkoz' heart's blood, and the great carcass rolled lifeless upon the ground, it was a primeval woman who sprang forward with outstretched arms toward the primeval man who had fought for her and won her.”
After Tarzan stabbed Terkoz repeatedly and the ape fell dead, Jane, now acting on primal instinct, rushed to embrace her rescuer.
Highlights the shift from civilized to primitive behavior in Jane.
“He took his woman in his arms and smothered her upturned, panting lips with kisses.”
Tarzan embraced Jane and kissed her passionately.
Tarzan's instinctive claim over Jane after the fight.