The Son of Tarzan · Chapter
XXV explained
Korak orchestrates Meriem's escape with Baynes, but is captured and sentenced to be burned alive by The Sheik.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Freedom vs. Confinement
Korak is bound and sentenced to death by fire, while Meriem is confined in The Sheik's camp; both struggle for liberation.
Revenge and Redemption
The Sheik seeks vengeance on Korak for killing Ali ben Kadin and for past humiliations, while Korak's actions aim to redeem Meriem.
Characters to notice
- Korak
Fights to allow Meriem and Baynes to escape, is captured and bound to a stake for burning, but summons Tantor to rescue him.
- Meriem
Escapes with Baynes via Korak's rope, later seen in The Sheik's camp, expresses despair at her situation.
- Morison Baynes
Captured by The Sheik, agrees to ransom to buy time, plots to free Meriem.
- Sheik Amor ben Khatour
Orders Korak's burning, captures Baynes and demands ransom, claims Meriem as his daughter.
- Tantor
Responds to Korak's call, breaches the palisade and rescues Korak from the flames.
- Ali ben Kadin
Mentioned as The Sheik's half-brother, killed by Korak earlier; his death fuels The Sheik's rage.
Key passages
“Take her to the palisade, following the rear of the tents. Here is my rope. With it you can scale the wall and make your escape.”
Korak instructs Baynes to use his rope to climb the palisade and escape with Meriem.
Korak sacrifices himself to ensure Meriem's escape.
“Burn him. At once. The stake is set.”
The Sheik orders Korak to be burned alive immediately.
The Sheik's cruel punishment for Korak's defiance.
“Goodbye, Morison. If God is good I shall be dead before morning, for if I still live I shall be worse than dead after tonight.”
Meriem tells Baynes she would rather die than face what awaits her in the village.
Meriem's despair at her captivity.