# X: The Forbidden Garden explained — Tarzan the Terrible

> Chapter companion for Tarzan the Terrible by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

## What happens

Tarzan, disguised as the son of Jad-ben-Otho, questions O-lo-a about recent strangers and a possible woman of another race in A-lur. Ko-tan interrupts and leads him away, but later Tarzan intervenes to stop a human sacrifice, redirecting the ritual to offerings of food and clothing. He notices a Waz-don slave who seems to recognize him, and later learns that the slave has informed Lu-don of suspicions about his identity. Meanwhile, a figure with an Enfield rifle approaches Pal-ul-don. Tarzan explores a hidden garden within the palace grounds.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power and Corruption

Tarzan uses his assumed divine identity to challenge and redirect the corrupt religious practices of the Ho-don, exposing the priesthood's manipulation.

### Religion and Superstition

The chapter centers on the conflict between established sacrificial rites and Tarzan's reinterpretation of divine will, highlighting superstition's hold on the Ho-don.

### Identity and Belonging

Tarzan's disguise as Dor-ul-Otho creates tension between his true identity and the role imposed by others, while a slave's recognition threatens to expose him.

## Character check-ins

### Tarzan

Disguised as Dor-ul-Otho, he questions O-lo-a about strangers, stops a human sacrifice, and explores a forbidden garden.

### O-lo-a

Princess of A-lur, she reluctantly reveals rumors of a stranger to Tarzan under duress, then is dismissed by Ko-tan.

### Pan-at-lee

Present as O-lo-a's slave woman, she is with O-lo-a during the conversation with Tarzan.

### Ko-tan

King of A-lur, he interrupts Tarzan's questioning of O-lo-a and later witnesses Tarzan's overturning of the sacrifice ritual.

### Lu-don

High priest, he is confronted by Tarzan over the sacrifice and later receives a report from a Waz-don slave about Tarzan's identity.

### Ta-den

Mentioned by O-lo-a as the one whose fate she fears for, prompting her to speak.

### Ja-don

Not directly appearing, but referenced as the false Dor-ul-Otho in the context of Tarzan's disguise.

## Key lines

> In the name of Jad-ben-Otho I command you to speak... In the name of Jad-ben-Otho in whose hands lies the fate of Ta-den!

Tarzan pressures O-lo-a to reveal information by invoking divine authority and threatening Ta-den's safety.

_Tarzan uses his assumed godly status to extract information from O-lo-a._

> Stop!... It is the blindness of the priesthood that has failed to read the messages of their god.

Tarzan halts the sacrifice and accuses the priests of misinterpreting their god's will.

_Tarzan challenges the religious orthodoxy and redefines the ritual._

> If you are right, they should reward us with our liberty, but if you are wrong, O Jad-ben-Otho, what will be our fate?

A slave expresses fear that reporting Tarzan's true identity could lead to punishment if they are mistaken.

_The slaves debate the risks of informing on Tarzan._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_the_terrible_se/chapters/x-the-forbidden-garden
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_the_terrible_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_the_terrible_se/chapters