The Return of Tarzan · Chapter
John Caldwell, London explained
Tarzan, traveling under the alias John Caldwell, boards a ship to Cape Town after a tedious wait in Algiers.
What happens
Tarzan, traveling under the alias John Caldwell, boards a ship to Cape Town after a tedious wait in Algiers. He encounters Hazel Strong, Jane Porter's best friend, and reflects on his past. Later, in Bou Saada, he spies on Rokoff and Gernois, overhearing their blackmail and threats. After a week with Kadour ben Saden, Tarzan returns to Bou Saada, receives orders to proceed to Cape Town, and meets Captain Gerard, who believed him dead.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Betrayal
Rokoff blackmails Gernois, who feels driven to murder; Tarzan uses an alias; Gernois betrays military secrets.
Survival and Physical Prowess
Tarzan's jungle instincts help him evade detection while spying on Rokoff; his past as a 'wild jungle beast' is recalled.
Identity and Heritage
Tarzan reflects on his dual nature between civilization and the jungle; considers staying with Kadour ben Saden's tribe.
Characters to notice
- Tarzan
Travels under the alias John Caldwell; reflects on his past with Jane Porter; spies on Rokoff and Gernois; visits Kadour ben Saden; receives orders to go to Cape Town.
- Nikolas Rokoff
Blackmails Lieutenant Gernois for money and military secrets; disguises himself as an Arab; nearly discovered by Tarzan.
- Lieutenant Gernois
Blackmailed by Rokoff; expresses guilt over Tarzan's supposed death; threatens to kill Rokoff.
- Hazel Strong
Jane Porter's best friend; sits next to Tarzan at dinner on the ship.
- Kadour ben Saden
Sheik who hosts Tarzan for a week; offers to adopt him into the tribe; provides information about Rokoff.
- Captain Gerard
Believes Tarzan was killed by a lion; relieved to find him alive; mentions Gernois's grief.
Key passages
“He is dead. He shot himself about eight o'clock this morning.”
Rokoff reports that someone has died by suicide at eight in the morning.
Rokoff's false report of Tarzan's death, later revealed as a lie.
“Rokoff, you are a devil! You have hounded me until I have lost the last shred of my honor. You have driven me to murder, for the blood of that man Tarzan is on my hands.”
Gernois accuses Rokoff of destroying his honor and forcing him into murdering Tarzan.
Gernois expresses guilt and anger over his complicity in Tarzan's supposed death.
“I have prayed that you would remain with us, and now I shall pray that you will return.”
The girl bids Tarzan farewell, expressing a wish for him to stay or return.
The daughter of Kadour ben Saden shows emotional attachment to Tarzan.