Tarzan of the Apes · Chapter
Most Remarkable explained
Professor Porter and Mr.
What happens
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 the strange 'angel' who saved them, with Clayton and Jane Porter reflecting on Tarzan's raw, unangelic nature.
Themes in this chapter
Civilization vs. Wilderness
The contrast between the professors' academic debate and their primal flight from a lion, with Tarzan as the wild rescuer, highlights the tension between civilized intellect and raw nature.
Survival and Strength
Tarzan's quick, physical rescue of the two men underscores the theme of survival through strength and instinct, as opposed to scholarly knowledge.
Characters to notice
- Professor Porter
Lost on the beach, arguing with Philander about the Moors; flees from a lion and is rescued by Tarzan; later shows a moment of human warmth with Philander.
- Samuel T. Philander
Lost with the professor, spots the lion first, runs in terror, and is yanked to safety by Tarzan; reconciles with Porter afterward.
- Tarzan
Watches the chase from the trees, rescues both men by pulling them to a limb, and later is discussed as a mysterious 'angel' who devoured raw lion meat.
- Jane Porter
Reflects on Tarzan's unangelic roar and his killing of the lioness, calling him a 'very material angel.'
- John Clayton
Comments on Tarzan's raw meat eating, contrasting Esmeralda's view of him as an angel.
- Esmeralda
Mentioned as having thought Tarzan was an angel sent to watch over them.
Key passages
“As I was saying, Mr. Philander— screamed Professor Porter, as, metaphorically speaking, he himself 'threw her into high.'”
Professor Porter, while fleeing the lion, tries to continue his lecture even as he runs at top speed.
Shows the professor's comedic obsession with his discourse even in mortal danger.
“Had you seen him devour the raw meat of the lion, Esmeralda, laughed Clayton, 'you would have thought him a very material angel.'”
Clayton jokes that Tarzan's eating of raw lion meat would make him seem like a very earthly, physical angel.
Highlights the irony of Esmeralda's spiritual interpretation of Tarzan's actions.