Book Review

Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs is the famous story of the boy who was raised
by simiones in the jungles of Africa. The book was first serialized in All-Story Magazine in 1912 and book
published in 1914.

Tarzans natural intelligence, strong body and Kalas protection allows him to survive and
even thrive in the unforgiving jungle The characters, especially that of Tarzan, are masterfully written,
combining intelligence and wisdom. We have grown up on a character of Tarzan who barely speaks, but
in the book he is a complex character with intelligence and brawn to match. The character is written
with childlike innocence and alarming violence, which in turn makes Tarzan an interesting and complex
character.

The characters, especially that of Tarzan,are masterfully written, combining intelligence and
wisdom. We have grown up on a character of Tarzan who barely speaks, but in the book he is a complex
character with intelligence and brawn to match. The character is written with childlike innocence and
alarming violence, which in turn makes Tarzan an interesting and complex character.

The beginning of the book deals mostly with Tarzans parents, John and Alice Clayton, who
have found themselves in the midst of a tragedy despite their best efforts. We are all used to stories of
hope, Burroughs played that angle wonderfully, I still felt saddened by their untimely end which was sad
and violent despite knowing of their demise ahead of time.

Each chapter, it seems, is a new adventure in which Tarzan learns a new skill, whether it is
to read or to use a weapon. Tarzan feels conflicted between his identity as a member of the ape society
and his self taught skills which put him above a physically superior specimen.

Tarzan, being a product of his upbringing, sees everyone as sub-human, including whites
until he meets Jane (and later DArnot). Tarzan feels the apes are intellectually inferior, the natives are
physically inferior and the whites are morally substandard.

We could learn a lot from Tarzan, who helps the innocent and helpless without sacrificing
himself or his goals. The protagonist does not need, nor does he understand, social approval or society
prestige, he has enough self esteem to ignore the opinions of others. Tarzan accepts what cannot be
changed while trying to change while he can. The character represents, in my eyes, mans nobility
untouched by societal norms.

The writing, as it is the product of its times, is sophisticated and formal despite the storys
unbelievable premise. The style works well, especially when depicting acts of violence. It lends the horror
prestige, an almost noble quality; animals kill for food or defensethey dont torture unlike mankind.
I enjoyed Tarzan of the Apes more now than I did as a kid, a true testament to the enduring entertainment
value of this book. The prevailing image of Tarzan, as a grunting brute, does no justice to the three
dimensional hero portrayed in the books.