# The Masquerader explained — Tarzan the Terrible

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_the_terrible_se/chapters/xiii-the-masquerader
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_the_terrible_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_the_terrible_se/chapters