# Most Remarkable explained — Tarzan of the Apes

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xvi-most-remarkable
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters