Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs is an adventure novel that tells the origin story of one of the most iconic jungle heroes in popular fiction. The novel begins with the story of John and Alice Clayton, Lord and Lady Greystoke, who are marooned on the coast of Africa. They die soon after their son, John Clayton II, is born, leaving him an orphan in the wilderness. He is discovered and raised by a tribe of great apes, who name him "Tarzan," meaning "White Skin" in their language.
Growing up among the apes, Tarzan learns to survive by emulating their strength, agility, and instincts. As he matures, he becomes the leader of his ape tribe and gains dominance over the jungle’s wild creatures. Tarzan also discovers his parents’ abandoned cabin, where he finds books, a mirror, and a hunting knife, which ultimately allow him to learn about human culture and language, albeit in a rudimentary way.
The novel takes a significant turn when an expedition arrives in the jungle, bringing with it Jane Porter, an American woman. Tarzan falls in love with her and is forced to grapple with his identity as both a human and a "creature" of the jungle. Tarzan ultimately learns of his noble heritage, but he is torn between his love for Jane and his loyalty to the wild life that has shaped him.
Tarzan of the Apes explores themes of nature versus nurture, identity, and civilization’s influence on "savage" environments. Burroughs’s portrayal of Tarzan’s journey from feral orphan to self-aware hero speaks to universal questions of identity and belonging. The novel also reflects the colonial attitudes of its time, presenting a romanticized vision of Africa while addressing human strength and primal instincts.
