The Return of Tarzan · Chapter
IV: The Countess Explains explained
Tarzan recounts his Rue Maule adventure to D'Arnot, criticizing civilized brutality versus jungle law.
What happens
Tarzan recounts his Rue Maule adventure to D'Arnot, criticizing civilized brutality versus jungle law. D'Arnot warns him about the police. They visit a police official to resolve the matter. Later at the opera, Tarzan sees Countess de Coude, who invites him to her home to explain Rokoff's persecution. She reveals Rokoff and Paulvitch are Russian spies seeking state secrets from her husband. After Tarzan leaves, Rokoff confronts her, threatening to fabricate evidence of an affair, and she remains silent out of fear.
Themes in this chapter
Civilization vs. Wilderness
Tarzan contrasts jungle law (kill for food or self-preservation) with civilized brutality (wanton killing, using brotherhood as a lure).
Deception and Betrayal
Rokoff and Paulvitch use blackmail and threats against the Count and Countess de Coude; the countess is coerced into silence.
Survival and Physical Prowess
Tarzan's physical strength and jungle instincts help him survive the Rue Maule ambush, but he must learn to navigate civilized law.
Characters to notice
- Tarzan
Narrates his Rue Maule encounter to D'Arnot, criticizes civilized brutality, attends opera, visits Countess de Coude, and learns of Rokoff's spy plot.
- Lieutenant D'Arnot
Listens to Tarzan's story, warns him about police, and arranges a meeting with a police official to resolve the Rue Maule incident.
- Countess Olga de Coude
Invites Tarzan to explain Rokoff's persecution, reveals Rokoff and Paulvitch are Russian spies, and is later threatened by Rokoff with fabricated evidence of an affair.
- Nikolas Rokoff
Observes Tarzan at the opera, threatens Countess de Coude after Tarzan's visit, and continues his scheme to obtain state secrets.
- Alexis Paulvitch
Seen with Rokoff at the theater, complicit in the spy plot against Count de Coude.
- Joubon
Clerk summoned by the police official to bring in officers regarding Tarzan's case.
Key passages
“Your Paris is more dangerous than my savage jungles, Paul”
Tarzan tells D'Arnot that Paris is more dangerous than the jungle.
Tarzan compares civilized Paris unfavorably to the jungle.
“Civilized ways, forsooth. Jungle standards do not countenance wanton atrocities.”
Tarzan scoffs at civilization, saying the jungle does not allow random killings.
Tarzan criticizes civilized morality.
“They will never lock Tarzan of the Apes behind iron bars.”
Tarzan asserts he will never be imprisoned.
Tarzan's defiance of legal authority.
“You have much to learn, Tarzan. The law of man must be respected, whether you relish it or no.”
D'Arnot warns Tarzan that he must obey human law.
D'Arnot tries to civilize Tarzan.
“I have so much wished to see you. It has troubled me not a little to think that after the service you rendered to both my husband and myself no adequate explanation was ever made you.”
The countess expresses her desire to explain the situation to Tarzan.
Countess de Coude feels indebted to Tarzan.
“Rokoff and Paulvitch are Russian spies. They will stop at nothing to procure this information.”
The countess reveals that Rokoff and Paulvitch are spies seeking state secrets.
Key revelation about the antagonists' motives.
