# The Passing of the Ape-Man explained — The Return of Tarzan

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

## What happens

The chapter follows the party as they journey to Tarzan's cabin to bury Clayton. They encounter Professor Porter, who had been led to believe Tarzan was dead. D'Arnot's ship arrives, and plans are made to return to civilization. Rokoff attempts to shoot Tarzan but is subdued and handed over to French authorities. Tarzan retrieves stolen papers and reveals his gold treasure. The chapter culminates in a double wedding between Tarzan and Jane, and Tennington and Hazel, held at Tarzan's cabin. The party sails away, with Tarzan leaving his jungle home behind.

## Themes in this chapter

### Civilization vs. Wilderness

Tarzan chooses to leave the jungle for civilization with Jane, yet the wedding is held in the cabin and jungle, symbolizing the blend of both worlds.

### Honor and Chivalry

Tarzan shows chivalry by honoring Clayton's burial and sparing Rokoff at Jane's request, despite his own desire for vengeance.

### Love and Sacrifice

Tarzan sacrifices his jungle life for love of Jane, and Jane pleads for mercy to protect their future happiness.

## Character check-ins

### Tarzan

Leads the burial party for Clayton, confronts Rokoff, retrieves his gold, and marries Jane Porter.

### Jane Porter

Reunites with her father, pleads with Tarzan to spare Rokoff, and marries Tarzan.

### Professor Archimedes Q. Porter

Reunites with Jane, conducts the funeral for Clayton and the wedding ceremony.

### Nikolas Rokoff

Attempts to shoot Tarzan but is disarmed and handed over to French authorities.

### Lieutenant D'Arnot

Arrives with the French cruiser, serves as best man at Tarzan's wedding.

### William Cecil Clayton

Buried beside the former Lord Greystoke after his death.

## Key lines

> It had been the ape-man's suggestion that Clayton be buried beside the former Lord Greystoke near the edge of the jungle against the cabin that the older man had built.

Tarzan proposed that Clayton be laid to rest next to the previous Lord Greystoke, close to the jungle and the cabin the elder man had constructed.

_Tarzan honors Clayton by burying him with family._

> In the heart of the jungle, dear, with no other form of right or justice to appeal to other than your own mighty muscles, you would be warranted in executing upon this man the sentence he deserves; but with the strong arm of a civilized government at your disposal it would be murder to kill him now.

Jane argues that in the jungle Tarzan might be justified in killing Rokoff, but with civilization's laws available, it would be murder.

_Jane appeals to Tarzan's sense of civilized justice._

> I should hate to think that I am looking upon the jungle for the last time, dear, were it not that I know that I am going to a new world of happiness with you forever.

Tarzan tells Jane he would regret leaving the jungle if not for the happiness he will find with her.

_Tarzan expresses his love and commitment to Jane over his former life._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_return_of_tarzan_se/chapters/xxvi-the-passing-of-the-ape-man
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_return_of_tarzan_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_return_of_tarzan_se/chapters