# XXI explained — The Son of Tarzan

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

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Revenge and Redemption

Baynes's pursuit of Malbihn is driven by a desire for revenge, while his guilt and suffering lead to a personal redemption through love.

### Love and Sacrifice

Baynes's realization of his love for Meriem transforms his selfish intentions into a sacrificial pursuit, and Korak's decision to remain hidden reflects his selfless devotion.

### Identity and Belonging

Korak struggles with his identity as a jungle-dweller compared to the refined Englishman Baynes, feeling unworthy of Meriem.

## Character check-ins

### Malbihn

Abandons his black boy in the clearing; his treachery is deduced by the boy.

### Morison Baynes

Experiences guilt and a transformation of his passion into love for Meriem; pursues Malbihn for revenge.

### Korak

Wanders sorrowfully, encounters Tantor, and watches Baynes and the Big Bwana from hiding, deciding to remain unseen.

### Meriem

Referenced as the object of Baynes's love and Korak's grief; her fate is unknown.

### Bwana

Leads a search party northward, following the trail of the fleeing safari.

### Tantor

Korak overtakes and rides the elephant for companionship.

## Key lines

> The black boy whom Malbihn had left awaiting him in the clearing with instructions to remain until he returned sat crouched at the foot of a tree for an hour when he was suddenly startled by the coughing grunt of a lion behind him.

Malbihn's black servant, left alone in the clearing, was frightened by a lion's roar after an hour of waiting.

_Introduces the boy's predicament and his growing hatred for Malbihn._

> Thus, in the crucible of shame amidst the white heat of naked truths, the passion that the man had felt for the girl he had considered his social inferior was transmuted into love.

Through intense shame and self-realization, Baynes's lust for Meriem transformed into genuine love.

_Key moment of character development for Baynes._

> He had lost her. No more surely had she been lost when he thought her dead than she was in reality now that he had seen her living—living in the guise of a refinement that had transfigured and sanctified her.

Korak felt he had lost Meriem even more completely now that he saw her as a refined lady, compared to when he believed her dead.

_Illustrates Korak's despair and sense of unworthiness._

## Links

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