# XIII explained — The Son of Tarzan

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

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Freedom vs. Confinement

Meriem is repeatedly bound and sold, longing for the freedom of her jungle life with Korak.

### Love and Sacrifice

Korak's devotion to Meriem is shown through his constant care; Meriem's love for him is sisterly and trusting.

### Civilization vs. Savagery

The Swedes' brutality and greed contrast with the natural loyalty and simplicity of Meriem's jungle existence.

## Character check-ins

### Meriem

Bound and guarded in Kovudoo's hut, then sold to the Swedes; longs for Korak's rescue but begins to lose hope.

### Korak

Absent; Meriem expects him to rescue her but he never appears.

### Malbihn

Attempts to assault Meriem; stopped by Jenssen; broods angrily and later enters her tent alone.

### Carl Jenssen

Intervenes to protect Meriem from Malbihn, threatening him with a revolver; prioritizes the reward.

### Kovudoo

Sells Meriem to the Swedes for trade goods and demands they leave his village.

### Sheik Amor ben Khatour

Meriem's father; she fears returning to him; a ransom runner was sent but killed by the Swedes.

### Geeka

Meriem's doll; she clings to it for comfort.

## Key lines

> To her Korak was little short of omnipotent. He embodied for her all that was finest and strongest and best in her savage world.

Meriem sees Korak as nearly all-powerful, representing everything noble and strong in her wild life.

_Meriem's idealization of Korak._

> He killed primarily for her. It was to the feet of Meriem that he brought the fruits of his labors.

Korak hunted mainly to provide for Meriem, laying his kills at her feet.

_Korak's selfless devotion to Meriem._

> If we maltreat her we not only couldn't collect a sou, but they'd send us to prison for our pains.

Jenssen warns that harming Meriem would forfeit the reward and lead to imprisonment.

_Jenssen's pragmatic concern for the ransom._

> All that night she lay listening for a signal from Korak. All about the jungle life moved through the darkness.

Meriem spent the night straining to hear any sign of Korak amid the jungle sounds.

_Meriem's hopeful vigil for rescue._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_son_of_tarzan_se/chapters/xiii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_son_of_tarzan_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_son_of_tarzan_se/chapters