Tarzan the Untamed - Classic Text | Alexandria
Among Edgar Rice Burroughs' most compelling wartime narratives, "Tarzan the Untamed" (1920) stands as a dark and politically charged entry in the legendary Tarzan series, originally serialized in Red Book Magazine as "Tarzan and the Huns" and "Tarzan and the Valley of Luna" between 1919 and 1920. This eighth installment in the Tarzan series marks a significant departure from earlier adventures, reflecting the profound impact of World War I on popular literature and revealing Burroughs' own passionate response to the global conflict.
Set against the backdrop of German East Africa during World War I, the novel opens with the devastating discovery that Tarzan's beloved estate has been burned to the ground by German troops, presumably killing his wife Jane. This personal tragedy transforms the normally noble savage into an vengeful force of nature, leading him on a brutal campaign of retribution against German forces in Africa. The narrative weaves together themes of revenge, justice, and the thin line between civilization and savagery—themes that resonated deeply with post-war readers grappling with the aftermath of unprecedented global violence.
The novel's publication coincided with a period of intense anti-German sentiment in American society, and Burroughs' portrayal of German characters as unequivocally villainous reflects the propaganda and prejudices of the era. This work represents a fascinating historical document of how popular fiction processed the trauma of World War I, while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of the Tarzan character into darker psychological territory.
Beyond its historical significance, "Tarzan the Untamed" pioneered several narrative elements that would become staples of the series, including the lost civilization trope through its introduction of the ancient Roman-descended city of Xuja. The novel's influence extends into modern discussions of how popular literature reflects and shapes wartime attitudes, making it a valuable text for scholars of both literary history and war propaganda. Its complex exploration of vengeance and redemption continues to resonate with contemporary readers, while its portrayal of wartime antagonisms serves as a sobering reminder of how global conflicts can influence even the most escapist fiction.