Tarzan the Terrible · Chapter
The Masquerader explained
Tarzan, hiding in the Forbidden Garden, devises a plan to search for his mate in A-lur.
What happens
Tarzan, hiding in the Forbidden Garden, devises a plan to search for his mate in A-lur. He kills a priest, dons his headdress and tail to disguise himself as a priest, and moves through the palace grounds. He is discovered by O-lo-a and Pan-at-lee, but O-lo-a, moved by Tarzan's knowledge of Ta-den, agrees not to betray him. Pan-at-lee brings him food and reports rumors of a mysterious she hidden in the temple, possibly Jane.
Themes in this chapter
Survival and Adaptation
Tarzan adapts to the city environment by disguising himself as a priest, using his jungle cunning to navigate human society.
Power and Corruption
Lu-don and Ko-tan's rivalry over the mysterious she highlights the corrupt use of power in A-lur.
Love and Loyalty
O-lo-a's love for Ta-den and Pan-at-lee's loyalty to Tarzan drive key interactions in the chapter.
Characters to notice
- Tarzan
Disguises himself as a priest after killing an under priest; hides in the Forbidden Garden; converses with O-lo-a and Pan-at-lee.
- O-lo-a
Discovers Tarzan in the garden; agrees not to betray him after learning he knows Ta-den.
- Pan-at-lee
Brings food to Tarzan; reports rumors of a mysterious she in the temple; pleads with O-lo-a to protect Tarzan.
- Ta-den
Mentioned as the love of O-lo-a; Tarzan claims to have been with him for a moon.
- Lu-don
Referenced as the high priest who wants the mysterious she for a priestess; Tarzan fears his wrath.
- Ko-tan
Referenced as the king who wants the mysterious she for a wife; father of O-lo-a.
Key passages
“Jad-ben-Otho is not more so, replied Tarzan truthfully.”
Tarzan honestly claims he is as much a god as Jad-ben-Otho.
Tarzan's ambiguous response to O-lo-a's question about his divinity.
“When gods mingle with mortals, replied Tarzan, they are no less vulnerable than mortals.”
Tarzan explains that gods in human form can be hurt or killed.
Tarzan rationalizes his vulnerability despite claiming godhood.
“May it be always tomorrow, replied Tarzan, for tomorrow never comes.”
Tarzan suggests that if tomorrow never arrives, O-lo-a's wedding won't happen.
Tarzan's cryptic reassurance to O-lo-a about her impending marriage.