The Son of Tarzan · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for The Son of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs.
Chapter 1
Dedication
The book is dedicated to Hulbert Burroughs.
Chapter 2
The Son of Tarzan
Jack Clayton, the son of Tarzan, is kidnapped by the vengeful Alexis Paulvitch and taken to Africa. After Paulvitch is killed by the ape Akut, Jack and Akut flee into the jungle, where Jack learns to survive and earns the name Korak. He later rescues a young girl named Meriem from an Arab village, and they establish a life together in the jungle.
Chapter 3
I
The chapter introduces Alexis Paulvitch, now a broken and disfigured wreck after ten years of torture in the African jungle, rescued by the crew of the Marjorie W. He brings with him a powerful and intelligent ape named Ajax, who obsessively scrutinizes every new face as if searching for someone. The pair eventually reach London, where Ajax is taken to a famous animal trainer.
Chapter 4
II
Jack Clayton, the son of Tarzan, defies his parents and tutor to visit the music hall where the trained ape Ajax is being exhibited. After being forbidden, he overpowers his tutor Mr. Moore, ties him up, and escapes through the window. The chapter highlights Jack's physical prowess and his fascination with wild animals, as well as his parents' concern over his rebellious behavior.
Chapter 5
III
Jack Clayton, having learned of his father's jungle past, secretly visits Alexis Paulvitch and the ape Akut. Paulvitch, recognizing an opportunity for revenge against Tarzan, encourages the boy's fascination with the jungle. Tarzan arranges to buy Akut and send him back to Africa, but Jack overhears and plans to accompany the ape to Dover. Paulvitch, intending to use the boy for his revenge, agrees to the plan. Jack boards the train for school but instead goes to Paulvitch's room, where the Russian prepares to bind him.
Chapter 6
IV
Jack Clayton, traveling with his grandmother (actually Akut in disguise), arrives at a West African port. He decides to return to England but is attacked by the American crook Condon, who is killed by Akut. Panicked and believing himself guilty, Jack flees into the jungle with Akut, disappearing from civilization. Meanwhile, Tarzan investigates his son's disappearance and traces him to the house of the old Russian, but the trail goes cold.
Chapter 7
V
The chapter introduces the Swedish ivory poachers Carl Jenssen and Sven Malbihn, who operate ruthlessly in the Sahara and beyond. It then shifts to a remote Arab village where a young girl named Meriem lives in fear of her father, Sheik Amor ben Khatour, and her cruel nurse Mabunu. Meriem finds solace only in her doll Geeka. When Jenssen and Malbihn arrive seeking ivory, they notice Meriem and recognize her as a valuable prize, but the Sheik refuses to trade and beats Meriem for being seen. The Swedes attempt to bribe a headman to kidnap her, but the headman delivers what appears to be a corpse instead of a living child.
Chapter 8
VI
Jack Clayton spends his first night in the jungle tormented by guilt over his mother's suffering and the murder of Condon, fearing the shame a murder trial would bring his family. With Akut, he learns essential jungle survival skills—using ears and nose over eyes, finding food and water, and avoiding predators like Numa. Over a month, his body hardens and he adapts to swinging through trees, eventually losing his last clothing and reveling in freedom. When he tries to approach a native village, the inhabitants flee in terror, and warriors attack; Jack kills one in self-defense, experiencing a primal urge to cry out but remaining silent.
Chapter 9
VII
Jack, now calling himself Korak, continues his journey through the jungle with Akut, honing his survival skills and developing a deep connection to the wild. After a hostile encounter with a black village, he adopts their weapons and ornaments, vowing to treat all but white men and apes as enemies. He remains determined to reach the coast to contact his parents, but his love for the jungle and his growing prowess create an internal conflict between duty and freedom. The chapter ends with him witnessing the brutal treatment of slaves by white men, which shatters his idealized view of his own kind.
Chapter 10
VIII
A year has passed. Korak and Akut, rejected by both humans and apes, wander deeper into the jungle. Korak's strength and skills have grown. They encounter a tribe of great apes performing a ritual to choose a new king. Akut tries to negotiate peace, but the king ape rejects them. Korak, enraged, challenges the king but is rescued by Akut and carried to safety. Meanwhile, Meriem continues her lonely life under the cruel Sheik and Mabunu, playing with her doll Geeka, unaware that the Sheik is returning from a caravan journey.
Chapter 11
The Killer and the Child
Korak, wandering aimlessly after being rejected by the great apes, encounters a young girl in an Arab village. He watches her play with a doll, then witnesses the brutal Sheik Amor ben Khatour kick and abuse her. Enraged, Korak drops from the tree, knocks the Sheik unconscious, and decides to take the girl into the jungle with him, despite the initial hostility of Akut. The chapter ends with Meriem entering the jungle, trusting her new protector.
Chapter 12
X
Korak and Akut rescue Meriem from two rival bull apes who abduct her. The trio's jungle life is detailed, including their shelter, hunting, and Meriem's growing skills and bond with Korak.
Chapter 13
XI
Korak returns from hunting to find Meriem missing and discovers she has been taken by the king ape. He battles and kills the ape, rescuing Meriem. After the fight, the ape tribe challenges Korak's leadership, and he defeats a young bull to assert dominance. However, the black warriors of Kovudoo attack, wounding Korak and capturing Meriem. Akut and the apes drive the warriors off, but Meriem is taken. Korak lies wounded and feverish for days, slowly recovering with Akut's help, driven by his determination to rescue Meriem.
Chapter 14
XII
Korak attempts to rescue Meriem from the native village of Kovudoo but is overwhelmed by the warriors and forced to flee alone, vowing to return. Meanwhile, trappers Carl Jenssen and Sven Malbihn capture a baboon king in a steel cage, and Korak, recognizing them from a past encounter, watches with vengeful intent.
Chapter 15
XIII
Meriem, captured by Kovudoo, is sold to the Swedish trappers Jenssen and Malbihn. Malbihn attempts to assault her but is stopped by Jenssen, who threatens him with a revolver. Meriem hopes for rescue by Korak but he does not appear, and the safari moves northward. On the fourth day, Malbihn enters her tent with predatory intent.
Chapter 16
XIV
Meriem is attacked by Malbihn in a tent while Jenssen is away hunting. Jenssen returns and a gunfight ensues, resulting in Jenssen's death. Malbihn is interrupted by a stranger who rescues Meriem. The stranger, Bwana, takes Meriem to his farm where his wife welcomes her. Meriem agrees to stay temporarily while waiting for Korak, though she is reluctant to leave the jungle.
Chapter 17
XV
Korak, believing Meriem dead after a brutal battle with the Gomangani, descends into a year of solitary, grief-stricken wandering, courting death and finding solace only with Tantor the elephant. He eventually reunites with the baboon king he freed, but when he seeks their help to rescue Meriem, they refuse, insisting they are too few and must first enlist the hill-country baboons.
Chapter 18
XVI
Meriem adapts to civilized life with Bwana and My Dear, learning English and French while secretly yearning for Korak. A head man's failed search for Korak deepens her sorrow, but she gradually accepts her new life. She rescues a tethered kid from a lion, showcasing her jungle skills. Visitors arrive, stirring her curiosity about the outside world.
Chapter 19
XVII
Meriem encounters a troop of baboons who have taken her clothing, but she communicates with them in their own language and retrieves her belongings. The Hon. Morison Baynes witnesses this and is both amazed and disturbed. Later, he questions Meriem about her past, particularly about Korak and A'ht, and begins to contemplate a relationship with her, though his intentions are complicated by his own class prejudices and assumptions about her virtue.
Chapter 20
XVIII
Mr. Hanson, a trader who claims to have lost his way, arrives at Bwana's farm and is introduced to Meriem and My Dear. He avoids the women but spends time with the men and the white foreman, secretly planning to abduct Meriem. One night, Meriem and the Hon. Morison Baynes go for a moonlit ride, encountering an old lion. Baynes flees in terror, but Meriem escapes into a tree. Hanson shoots the lion, and later, Korak, riding Tantor, observes the scene without recognizing Meriem.
Chapter 21
XIX
Korak observes Meriem and Baynes from the jungle, feeling troubled by the girl's agility which reminds him of his lost Meriem. He follows Baynes and Hanson to their camp, then withdraws. Meanwhile, Meriem, feeling confined and unjustly treated by Bwana, receives a secret letter from Baynes asking her to meet him alone in the clearing.
Chapter 22
Chapter XX
Korak observes Meriem's transformation into a civilized woman and grapples with his love for her, realizing he cannot offer her a life in the jungle. He decides to watch over the young Englishman for Meriem's sake, while Meriem is deceived by Hanson into riding away from camp under false pretenses, leading her into danger.
Chapter 23
XXI
Malbihn's abandoned black boy escapes a lion and deduces his master's treachery, heading to warn the Big Bwana. Meanwhile, the Hon. Morison Baynes, tormented by guilt and fear, realizes his love for Meriem and pursues Malbihn for revenge. Korak, grieving and jealous, observes from the jungle but resolves to remain hidden, while the Big Bwana's search party continues northward.
Chapter 24
XXII
Meriem struggles with Malbihn, escapes into the jungle after knocking him unconscious, returns to his tent for ammunition, crosses a river in a canoe while being pursued, and narrowly avoids being shot by Malbihn. Meanwhile, Morison Baynes, transformed by remorse, follows her trail with a native guide.
Chapter 25
XXIII
Meriem is recaptured by Sheik Amor ben Khatour, who recognizes her and subjects her to brutal treatment. Malbihn, seeing the Sheik, flees. Meriem is taken to the Sheik's village, where she reflects on her past with Korak and her conflicted feelings for Morison Baynes. Meanwhile, Baynes, wounded and adrift in a canoe, resolves to rescue Meriem, having undergone a moral transformation.
Chapter 26
XXIV
Korak, grieving over Meriem, travels slowly through the jungle and encounters Morison Baynes, who reveals that Meriem was stolen by the Swede Hanson. Korak resolves to rescue her, while Baynes insists on following despite his wounds. Korak crosses the river on Tantor and confronts Malbihn, who reveals Meriem is not the Sheik's daughter and that a reward exists for her return. Before Korak can learn more, Tantor, recognizing Malbihn as the killer of his mate, attacks and kills him. Korak then departs on Tantor toward the Sheik's village.
Chapter 27
XXV
Korak orchestrates Meriem's escape with Baynes, but is captured and sentenced to be burned alive by The Sheik. Tantor, summoned by Korak's call, breaks through the palisade and rescues him. Meanwhile, Baynes is captured by The Sheik, who demands ransom, and Baynes plots to free Meriem.
Chapter 28
XXVI
Meriem, dazed by Korak's unexpected survival, is led away by Baynes but insists on returning to help him. Baynes confesses his past dishonorable intentions and his transformation through love. They return to find Korak bound and about to be burned alive, but Tantor breaks through the palisade, rescues Korak, and carries him into the jungle. Meriem and Baynes escape on horseback. In the jungle, Tantor guards Korak, preventing Meriem from freeing him. Korak tricks Tantor into leaving, but the elephant returns and charges at Meriem as she approaches with a knife.
Chapter 29
XXVII
Korak is bound and helpless as Tantor charges Meriem. A naked white giant—Tarzan—commands the elephant to halt, saving Meriem. Tarzan frees Korak, and father and son reunite. Akut and his apes arrive to honor Tarzan. The group returns to the farm, where Lady Greystoke joyfully welcomes Korak and Meriem. She then delivers the sad news that Morison Baynes has died from his wound. Meriem expresses sorrow but clarifies her love for Korak. Lady Greystoke embraces them both, and plans are made for their marriage. Later, General Armand Jacot arrives seeking help to find his long-lost daughter, with an Arab named Abdul Kamak claiming to know her whereabouts.
