The Return of Tarzan · Chapter
La explained
Tarzan is captured by the descendants of an ancient sun-worshipping civilization in the lost city of Opar.
What happens
Tarzan is captured by the descendants of an ancient sun-worshipping civilization in the lost city of Opar. He is about to be sacrificed by the high priestess La, but when a mad priest attacks her, Tarzan breaks free and saves her. La then explains the history of her people, who are the degenerate remnants of a once-great civilization that sank into the sea. She is fascinated by Tarzan's nobility and strength.
Themes in this chapter
Civilization vs. Wilderness
Opar represents a once-great civilization that has degenerated into a savage, ape-like state, contrasting with Tarzan's own blend of civilized and wild traits.
Survival and Physical Prowess
Tarzan uses his ape-like strength and fighting skills to break free from bonds and defeat the mad priest Tha in a brutal hand-to-hand battle.
Identity and Heritage
La explains the ancient heritage of her people and their decline, while Tarzan's identity as both ape-man and civilized being is highlighted.
Characters to notice
- Tarzan
Tarzan is captured and about to be sacrificed in the Temple of the Sun, but he breaks free and rescues the high priestess La from a mad priest.
- La
La is the high priestess of the Temple of the Sun in Opar. She initially sentences Tarzan to death but is saved by him, and later explains the history and decline of her people.
- Tha
Tha is a mad priest who attacks La during the sacrifice; Tarzan kills him in the ensuing struggle.
Key passages
“I am La, high priestess of the Temple of the Sun, in the city of Opar. We are descendants of a people who came to this savage world more than ten thousand years ago in search of gold.”
La introduces herself as the high priestess of the Sun Temple in Opar, explaining that her people are ancient gold-seeking colonists from a lost civilization.
La reveals the origin of the Oparian civilization to Tarzan.
“I could not see a woman murdered?”
Tarzan explains that he saved La simply because he could not stand by and watch a woman be killed.
Tarzan's chivalrous instinct drives him to rescue La despite her earlier intent to sacrifice him.