The Killer and the Child explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Freedom vs. Confinement

  Meriem is confined by the Sheik's cruelty and the village; Korak offers her freedom in the jungle, though it is a dangerous alternative.

• Identity and Belonging

  Korak, rejected by the apes, finds a new purpose in protecting Meriem; Meriem, an orphan, finds belonging with Korak and Akut.

• Civilization vs. Savagery

  The civilized village is shown as cruel and oppressive, while the 'savage' jungle becomes a place of refuge and kindness.

Characters to notice

• Korak

  Wanders the jungle in a vengeful mood after being rejected by the apes; discovers and rescues Meriem from the Sheik.

• Meriem

  A young girl abused by the Sheik, playing with her doll Geeka; rescued by Korak and taken into the jungle.

• Sheik Amor ben Khatour

  The cruel Arab who kicks and beats Meriem; knocked unconscious by Korak.

• Akut

  Korak's ape companion; initially hostile to Meriem but accepts her after Korak's intervention.

• Mabunu

  The black woman who points out Meriem's location to the Sheik.

• Geeka

  Meriem's doll, with an ivory head and rat-skin torso; a comfort object during her abuse.

Key passages

• “She looked up into his face. It was a boyish, handsome face, nut-brown like her own. She admired the spotted leopard skin that circled his lithe body from one shoulder to his knees.”

  Meriem gazes at Korak's youthful, sun-bronzed face and is impressed by his leopard-skin garment.

  Meriem's first close observation of Korak, noting his appearance and her admiration.

• “The jungle is kinder than man. You shall live in the jungle and Korak and Akut will protect you.”

  Korak tells Meriem that the jungle is more merciful than humans, and promises her safety with him and Akut.

  Korak's decision to take Meriem into the jungle, framing nature as a refuge from human cruelty.

• “He bared his yellow fangs as he approached, and to his surprise The Killer bared his likewise, but he bared them at Akut, and snarled menacingly.”

  Akut shows his teeth aggressively, but Korak responds by baring his own teeth and snarling back at the ape.

  Korak asserts dominance over Akut to protect Meriem, using the ape's own language.

• “The mark of his father’s early life was strong upon him and enhanced by months of association with beasts, from whom the imitative faculty of youth had absorbed a countless number of little mannerisms of the predatory creatures of the wild.”

  Korak has inherited his father Tarzan's wild traits and, through living with animals, has adopted many of their predatory behaviors.

  Explanation of Korak's feral nature, linking him to his father's upbringing in the jungle.

• “With a start the child glanced quickly up over her shoulder. Korak could see her full face now. It was very beautiful in its sweet and innocent childishness—all soft and lovely curves. He could see her great, dark eyes. He looked for the happy love light that would follow recognition; but it did not come. Instead, terror, stark, paralyzing terror, was mirrored in her eyes.”

  Meriem turns to see the Sheik, and Korak sees her beautiful, innocent face fill with pure terror instead of joy.

  The moment Meriem recognizes the Sheik, revealing the abuse she suffers.

• “The heavy fist landed full upon his mouth backed by the weight of the young giant and the terrific power of his more than human muscles.”

  Korak punches the Sheik in the mouth with tremendous force, knocking him unconscious.

  Korak's violent intervention to stop the Sheik's abuse of Meriem.