Tarzan the Untamed · Chapter
The Queen's Story explained
Bertha Kircher is taken to the palace and meets an old woman, Xanila, who has been a queen among the Xujans for sixty years.
What happens
Bertha Kircher is taken to the palace and meets an old woman, Xanila, who has been a queen among the Xujans for sixty years. Xanila explains the dangers of the women, the impossibility of escape, and the legend of a Spanish giant who once entered the valley. Bertha is bathed and dressed in revealing native garments, then summoned to the king. In an anteroom, Prince Metak sees her, becomes violently mad, attacks her guards, and a chaotic fight ensues.
Themes in this chapter
Madness and Rationality
The Xujans are depicted as having subnormal mentalities, with the king and his son Metak exhibiting violent madness.
Gender and Heroism
Women are kept captive and considered more violent than men; Bertha's horror at her revealing attire highlights gender roles.
Colonialism and Racism
The Xujans are portrayed as primitive and mentally inferior, reflecting colonial-era stereotypes.
Characters to notice
- Fräulein Bertha Kircher
Brought to the palace, bathed, dressed in native garb, and nearly assaulted by Prince Metak.
- Xanila
The old queen who has lived among the Xujans for sixty years, recounts her story and warns Bertha.
- Metak
The king's son who becomes violently mad upon seeing Bertha and attacks the guards.
Key passages
“For sixty years I have never been allowed near a woman. They would kill me, even now, if they could reach me. The men are frightful, God knows they are frightful! But heaven keep you from the women!”
Xanila explains that she has been isolated from other women for six decades, and that the women of Xuja are even more dangerous than the men.
Highlights the extreme gender segregation and danger within Xuja.
“In sixty years you are the first to find this buried city. In a thousand no denizen of this valley has ever left it, and within the memory of man, or even in their legends, none had found them prior to my coming other than a single warlike giant, the story of whom has been handed down from father to son.”
Xanila tells Bertha that no outsider has found the city in sixty years, and only one legendary Spanish giant ever entered before her.
Emphasizes the isolation and legendary status of the city.
“Metak suddenly commenced to tremble from head to foot and then, without warning other than a loud, hoarse scream he sprang forward and seized the girl in his arms.”
Prince Metak, upon seeing Bertha, begins shaking, screams, and grabs her violently.
Illustrates Metak's sudden mad outburst and the immediate danger to Bertha.