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Cover of Jungle Tales of Tarzan

Jungle Tales of Tarzan

Written by Edgar Rice Burroughs

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Adventure storiesFantasy fictionJunglesAfricaTarzan (Fictitious character)Apes

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About this book

"Jungle Tales of Tarzan" by Edgar Rice Burroughs is a collection of short stories featuring the famous character Tarzan, written during the early 20th century. The book explores the adventures and experiences of Tarzan, the ape-man raised in the jungle, as he navigates his complex feelings about love, nature, and his identity among the wild animals of the jungle. The beginning of the book introduces Tarzan's first love, Teeka, and establishes his character as both a creature of the jungle and a being striving for connection and understanding. As he observes Teeka, Tarzan grapples with feelings of jealousy when he sees her being courted by Taug, a young bull ape. This emotional turmoil peaks when he intervenes to protect Teeka from a panther named Sheeta, demonstrating his bravery and complexity as he defends his love. The opening sets the tone for a compelling tale of love, rivalry, and the primal instinct for survival, weaving the themes of identity and belonging into a rich jungle narrative.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Jungle Tales of Tarzan, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • adventurous
  • primal
  • exploratory

Jungle Tales of Tarzan is a collection of twelve interconnected short stories chronicling the formative years of Tarzan, the ape-man, from his late childhood into early adulthood. These tales delve into his adventures, struggles, and discoveries within the African jungle, filling in gaps from the original 'Tarzan of the Apes.' The book explores Tarzan's ongoing quest for identity, his complex relationship with the apes and other jungle inhabitants, and his gradual understanding of both his human heritage and the brutal 'law of the jungle.' Each story serves as a vignette, showcasing his burgeoning intelligence, strength, and the development of his unique moral code in the wild.

“He was Tarzan of the Apes, but he was a man.”

Key themes

Identity and Self-Discovery
This theme explores Tarzan's ongoing struggle to understand who he is—a man raised by apes. The stories detail his attempts to decipher his human heritage through his parents' cabin and books, his realization that he is different from the apes, and his eventual acceptance of his unique dual nature.
Nature vs. Nurture
The book deeply investigates whether Tarzan's innate human 'nature' or his ape 'nurture' defines him. Despite his ape upbringing, Tarzan displays inherent human traits like curiosity, ingenuity, and a more complex moral compass, suggesting the enduring power of his human essence.
Survival of the Fittest
The harsh and unforgiving 'law of the jungle' is a constant presence, dictating that only the strongest, most cunning, and adaptable creatures survive. Tarzan's life is a continuous series of battles against predators, rivals, and the elements, forcing him to evolve and master his environment.

Worth discussing

How do Tarzan's experiences in these tales shape his unique moral code, distinct from both ape and human society?

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