The Beasts of Tarzan · Chapter
VIII: The Dance of Death explained
Tarzan is bound and subjected to a death dance by hostile natives, urged on by Rokoff.
What happens
Tarzan is bound and subjected to a death dance by hostile natives, urged on by Rokoff. As the spears begin to pierce him, Sheeta the panther appears and kills one of the attackers, causing terror. The natives and whites eventually re-enter the hut, and Rokoff, seeing the corpse, insists on finishing Tarzan quickly. Tarzan recalls a similar rescue of D'Arnot and faces his fate with contempt for his captors.
Themes in this chapter
Savagery and Civilization
The chapter contrasts the 'civilized' cruelty of Rokoff with the 'savage' ritual of the native death dance, blurring the line between the two.
Survival and Resilience
Tarzan endures physical torture and psychological torment from Rokoff, maintaining his composure and contempt despite imminent death.
Good vs. Evil
Tarzan's defiant smile and past heroism stand against Rokoff's cowardly and vengeful cruelty, framing a clear moral conflict.
Characters to notice
- Tarzan
Bound and tortured during the death dance, he remains defiant and contemptuous, recalling his past rescue of D'Arnot.
- Nikolas Rokoff
Taunts and physically assaults Tarzan, revealing that Jane is in danger, but is restrained by the chief from killing the prisoner prematurely.
- Sheeta
Appears from the hut to defend Tarzan, kills a native, but later slinks away, leaving Tarzan bound.
- Jane Clayton
Mentioned by Rokoff as being in danger and far from safety in England, adding to Tarzan's torment.
- D'Arnot
Recalled in Tarzan's memory as someone he once rescued from a similar death dance.
Key passages
“The spears were commencing to find his body in the first torturing pricks that prefaced the more serious thrusts.”
The spears began to prick his skin, signaling the start of more severe wounds.
Describes the initial stage of the death dance torture.
“Rokoff’s shrivelled wart of courage swelled to its usual proportions when danger was not present.”
Rokoff's cowardice vanished when he felt safe, making him bold again.
Highlights Rokoff's cowardly nature.
“The thought that these human fiends would devour him when the dance was done caused him not a single qualm of horror or disgust.”
Tarzan felt no horror at the idea of being eaten, as he was accustomed to jungle predators consuming their kills.
Shows Tarzan's unique perspective shaped by his jungle upbringing.