XVI explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Identity and Belonging

  Meriem transitions from a savage jungle girl to a civilized young woman, grappling with her dual identity and longing for Korak.

• Civilization vs. Savagery

  Meriem's civilized training contrasts with her innate jungle instincts, as seen when she discards her riding clothes to rescue the kid.

• Love and Sacrifice

  Meriem's enduring love for Korak and her willingness to risk her life to save the tethered kid reflect themes of sacrifice.

Characters to notice

• Meriem

  Adapts to civilized life, learns English and French, still mourns Korak, and rescues a tethered kid from a lion.

• Bwana

  Meriem's benefactor; sends a head man to search for Korak and dissuades Meriem from searching herself.

• Lady Greystoke

  Referred to as 'My Dear'; teaches Meriem English, French, and civilized customs, and grows to love her.

• Korak

  Meriem's lost companion; believed by Bwana to be a figment of her imagination, but Meriem remains loyal and hopeful.

• Kovudoo

  Old chieftain whose village is deserted when Bwana's head man arrives to investigate Meriem's past.

Key passages

• “To Meriem, in her new home, the days passed quickly. At first she was all anxiety to be off into the jungle searching for her Korak.”

  Meriem's days in her new home flew by, though initially she was eager to venture into the jungle to find Korak.

  Highlights Meriem's initial restlessness and longing for Korak.

• “Bwana was more than fully convinced that Korak was a creature of the girl's disordered imagination.”

  Bwana believed Korak was a figment of Meriem's imagination due to her traumatic experiences.

  Shows Bwana's skepticism about Meriem's story.

• “My Dear took not only a deep interest in the little jungle waif because of her forlorn and friendless state, but grew to love her as well for her sunny disposition and natural charm of temperament.”

  My Dear became deeply attached to Meriem, initially out of pity but soon due to her cheerful and charming nature.

  Illustrates the growing bond between Meriem and My Dear.

• “She varied the instruction with lessons in sewing and deportment, nor once did she let Meriem guess that it was not all play.”

  My Dear taught Meriem sewing and manners in a playful way, without letting her realize it was formal education.

  Describes My Dear's gentle teaching methods.

• “The report of the head man plunged Meriem into a period of despondency, for he had found the village of Kovudoo deserted nor, search as he would, could he discover a single native anywhere in the vicinity.”

  The head man's news that Kovudoo's village was empty and no natives were found left Meriem deeply depressed.

  Meriem's hope of finding Korak is dashed.

• “Meriem at first insisted upon setting forth herself in search of Korak, but Bwana prevailed upon her to wait.”

  Meriem initially wanted to search for Korak herself, but Bwana convinced her to be patient.

  Bwana's influence over Meriem's decisions.