# From Ape to Savage explained — The Return of Tarzan

> Chapter companion for The Return of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

## What happens

Tarzan integrates into a native village after saving a warrior from a lion, learning their language and customs, participating in an elephant hunt, and discovering gold ornaments that spark his lust for wealth. He reflects on his dual identity as both a civilized man and a savage, ultimately feeling more aligned with the primitive life.

## Themes in this chapter

### Civilization vs. Wilderness

Tarzan grapples with his identity, feeling more at home among the savages than in Paris, yet the sight of gold reawakens his civilized desires for wealth and power.

### Survival and Physical Prowess

Tarzan demonstrates his physical prowess by hunting with the tribe, using primitive weapons, and stalking elephants, reinforcing his survival skills.

### Colonialism and Otherness

The tribe's history of slave raids by Arabs and Manyuema highlights colonial violence, while Tarzan's integration into the tribe explores themes of otherness and belonging.

## Character check-ins

### Tarzan

Tarzan lives with the native tribe, hunts with them, and begins to identify as a savage, while also feeling the pull of civilization upon seeing gold.

### Busuli

Busuli is the warrior Tarzan saved; he tells Tarzan tribal legends about the tribe's history and the source of gold.

### Nikolas Rokoff

Rokoff is mentioned as Tarzan's enemy, whom Tarzan wishes he could kill in the jungle; Rokoff is simultaneously ingratiating himself with Hazel Strong.

### Lieutenant D'Arnot

D'Arnot is remembered by Tarzan, who imagines the Frenchman's shock at seeing Tarzan's return to savage ways.

### Hazel Strong

Hazel Strong is mentioned as the object of Rokoff's manipulative affections.

## Key lines

> How quickly have I fallen! thought Tarzan; but in his heart he did not consider it a fall—rather, he pitied the poor creatures of Paris, penned up like prisoners in their silly clothes, and watched by policemen all their poor lives, that they might do nothing that was not entirely artificial and tiresome.

Tarzan reflects that while he seems to have reverted to savagery, he actually pities Parisians for their constrained, artificial lives.

_This moment captures Tarzan's internal conflict between civilization and wilderness._

> Tarzan of the Apes was ashamed. Hereafter he would at least wait until he knew men deserved it before he thought of killing them.

Tarzan feels remorse for nearly killing the warrior who later became his friend, resolving not to judge others so hastily.

_This shows Tarzan's moral growth and rejection of indiscriminate violence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_return_of_tarzan_se/chapters/xv-from-ape-to-savage
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_return_of_tarzan_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_return_of_tarzan_se/chapters