# II: The Lion's Cave explained — Tarzan the Untamed

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

## What happens

Tarzan continues his pursuit of Hauptmann Schneider, the German officer he holds responsible for his wife's murder. After a rainstorm obliterates the trail, he shelters in a cave that leads to a secluded gulch. He captures Schneider and forces him on a brutal three-day march, finally bringing him to the same gulch where a starving lion awaits. Tarzan reveals his identity as Lord Greystoke and forces Schneider to descend into the gulch, where the lion nearly catches him as he scrambles into a tree for safety.

## Themes in this chapter

### Revenge and Justice

Tarzan's relentless pursuit of Schneider is driven by a personal vendetta for his wife's murder, culminating in a cruel punishment that mirrors the savagery of the jungle.

### Survival and Adaptation

Tarzan navigates the jungle, hunts for food, and uses the environment—including a lion's cave—to achieve his goals, demonstrating his primal skills.

### Madness and Rationality

Schneider's terror and gibbering in the face of the lion contrast with Tarzan's cold, calculated vengeance, blurring the line between human sanity and animal instinct.

## Character check-ins

### Tarzan

Driven by grief and vengeance, Tarzan captures Schneider and forces him into a lion's den as retribution for his wife's murder.

### Hauptmann Fritz Schneider

The terrified German officer is captured by Tarzan, subjected to a grueling march, and forced to face a starving lion in a rocky gulch.

### Numa

A gaunt, hunger-mad lion whose cave serves as the setting for Tarzan's trap; he nearly catches Schneider but is temporarily thwarted.

### Manu

The monkey scolds and flees from Tarzan as he moves through the soggy jungle after the rain.

## Key lines

> Descend!

Tarzan orders Schneider to climb down into the gulch where the lion waits.

_This command marks the climax of Tarzan's revenge, forcing Schneider into a life-or-death situation._

> I am Lord Greystoke. It was my wife you murdered in the Waziri country.

Tarzan reveals his identity and the motive for his pursuit, accusing Schneider of killing Jane Clayton.

_This revelation underscores the personal nature of Tarzan's quest for vengeance._

> There is a hungry lion in there. If you can reach that tree before he discovers you, you will have several days longer in which to enjoy life.

Tarzan explains the deadly game Schneider must play to survive, pitting him against a starving lion.

_This highlights Tarzan's cruel ingenuity in exacting punishment._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_the_untamed_se/chapters/ii-the-lion-s-cave
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_the_untamed_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_the_untamed_se/chapters