# Silently in the Night explained — Tarzan the Terrible

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

## What happens

Tarzan is imprisoned in a lion pit in Tu-lur, where he works to escape by chipping away stone from the window bars. Meanwhile, political machinations unfold as Mo-sar and Lu-don vie for power, and Pan-sat delivers a treacherous message to the high priest of Tu-lur, leading to an assassination attempt on Tarzan. Jane Clayton, now aware of Obergatz's presence, fears him more than wild beasts and resolves to kill him if he approaches again.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power and Corruption

Lu-don and Mo-sar's scheming for the throne, and the high priest's willingness to commit murder for advancement, highlight the corrupting influence of power.

### Survival and Adaptation

Tarzan's patient escape work and Jane's resolve to defend herself against Obergatz demonstrate the theme of survival in a hostile environment.

## Character check-ins

### Tarzan

Imprisoned in the lion pit at Tu-lur, he uses a knife to chip away stone from the window bars in a patient escape attempt.

### Mo-sar

Cunningly negotiates with Lu-don for the throne of Pal-ul-don, considering using Tarzan as a political pawn.

### Lu-don

The high priest at A-lur who wants Tarzan sacrificed publicly to bolster his waning authority; sends Pan-sat to Tu-lur with a treacherous plan.

### Jane Clayton

Living in a tree nest, she is terrified by Obergatz's return and resolves to kill him if he threatens her again.

### Erich Obergatz

The unscrupulous German lieutenant whose reappearance menaces Jane, described as unkempt and unnerving.

### Pan-sat

Lu-don's chief tool, delivers a deceptive message to the high priest of Tu-lur, inciting him to murder Tarzan and bring Mo-sar to A-lur.

## Key lines

> What a paradise! And some day civilized man would come and—spoil it!

Tarzan reflects on the pristine beauty of Pal-ul-don and fears its eventual destruction by civilization.

_Highlights Tarzan's appreciation for the untouched wilderness and his critique of industrial progress._

> The standards by which the acts of such as you or I may be judged could not apply to hers.

Jane's situation is so extreme that normal moral judgments do not apply; she must act as her own protector.

_Emphasizes Jane's isolation and the necessity of self-reliance in the jungle._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_the_terrible_se/chapters/xx-silently-in-the-night
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_the_terrible_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_the_terrible_se/chapters