The Return of Tarzan - Classic Text | Alexandria
The Return of Tarzan, the second novel in Edgar Rice Burroughs's celebrated series, marks a pivotal, often overlooked chapter in the saga of the ape-man. More than a simple jungle adventure, it represents Tarzan's conflicted struggle with civilization, the allure of his inheritance, and the primal call drawing him back to Africa. Is it merely a swashbuckling escapade, or does it reveal deeper anxieties about identity and belonging in a rapidly changing world?
Published in 1913, following the unprecedented success of Tarzan of the Apes in 1912 (dates need verification), The Return of Tarzan arrived during an era of widespread fascination with exploration and the "uncivilized" world. Contemporary society, grappling with industrialization and nascent globalization, projected its anxieties onto exotic locales, creating a fertile ground for Tarzan's mythos. The novel reflects this, presenting Africa not as a blank canvas but as a site clashing with colonial desires and Tarzan's inner turmoil.
Over time, the novel's interpretation has shifted. Initially viewed as pure entertainment, it has, in the modern era, been analyzed for its problematic portrayal of race, though elements of anti-colonialism are also apparent. Tarzan’s journey, from renouncing his title to becoming a foreign legionnaire and eventually returning to the jungle, hints at the era's complex relationship with power and identity. Did Burroughs subtly question colonial power structures through his wild man's rebellion against societal expectations? The novel presents a world ripe for unpacking regarding cultural assumptions.
Today, The Return of Tarzan persists. While viewed through a critical lens, its themes of identity, belonging, and the tension between nature and civilization continue to resonate. The character stands as an icon undergoing many new interpretations, reflecting our shifting values and anxieties. What else does Tarzan's return reveal about our own longing for a different existence? His ongoing popularity demands that we delve deeper into the text.