# XXIV: How Tarzan Came Again to Opar explained — The Return of Tarzan

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

## What happens

Clayton frantically searches for Jane Porter after she goes missing, but fails to find her trail. He falls ill with fever, and the Russian Thuran, now recovered, cruelly refuses him water and later abandons him to die, stealing his spear and heading north. Thuran reaches a cabin by the beach and continues on, eventually arriving at Lord Tennington's camp, where he falsely reports that Jane, Clayton, and the sailors are dead. Meanwhile, Jane Porter, held captive in Opar, slowly regains her strength and is led to a ceremonial courtyard with a stone altar, unaware she is to be a sacrifice.

## Themes in this chapter

### Survival and Physical Prowess

Clayton's struggle with fever and Thuran's ruthless abandonment highlight the brutal fight for survival in the wilderness.

### Deception and Betrayal

Thuran betrays Clayton by refusing water and later lies to the camp about the deaths of Jane and the others.

### Colonialism and Otherness

The Oparian religious ceremony and Jane's misinterpretation of it reflect colonial misunderstandings of indigenous cultures.

## Character check-ins

### William Cecil Clayton

Desperately searches for Jane, falls ill with fever, and is cruelly abandoned by Thuran.

### Monsieur Thuran

Recovers from fever, refuses water to the dying Clayton, steals his spear, and later lies to Tennington's camp about the deaths of the others.

### Jane Porter

Held captive in Opar, slowly regains strength and is led to a ceremonial courtyard, unaware she is to be sacrificed.

### Lord Tennington

Oversees camp preparations, interacts with Professor Porter, and reveals his feelings for Hazel Strong.

### Hazel Strong

Grieves for Jane, clarifies she was not engaged to Thuran, and shares a moment with Tennington.

### Professor Archimedes Q. Porter

Lost in scientific dreaming, unaware of the passage of time, and worries about Jane only after being convinced of their isolation.

## Key lines

> When Clayton returned to the shelter and found Jane Porter was missing, he became frantic with fear and grief.

Clayton was overwhelmed with terror and sorrow upon discovering Jane Porter's disappearance.

_Highlights Clayton's emotional state and the urgency of the situation._

> Here is water. But first let me remind you that you maligned me before the girl—that you kept her to yourself, and would not share her with me—

Thuran taunts Clayton before drinking the water himself, refusing to give any to the sick man.

_Illustrates Thuran's cruelty and the depth of his betrayal._

> They are all dead. The three sailors died before we made land. Miss Porter was carried off into the jungle by some wild animal while I was lying delirious with fever. Clayton died of the same fever but a few days since.

Thuran falsely reports that all the missing party members have perished.

_Shows Thuran's deceit and the misinformation spreading in the camp._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_return_of_tarzan_se/chapters/xxiv-how-tarzan-came-again-to-opar
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_return_of_tarzan_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_return_of_tarzan_se/chapters