Running head: ACADEMIC BOOK REVIEW 1

Oscar Lathlin Research Library Academic Book Review Award Tarzan of the Apes Larissa Stephen University College of the North

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Tarzan of the Apes is a novel written by Edgar Rice Burroughs and is based on the exciting life of the courageous ape-man, Tarzan. Burroughs is an esteemed individual, having attended Phillips Academy and the Michigan Military Academy. After graduation, he returned to the military academy and taught as an assistant commandant (McWhorter, 2000, para. 3-4). He later began writing the popular Tarzan book series, which consists of twenty-four novels. The first novel of the series, Tarzan of the Apes, contains 376 pages filled with adventure and was published by The Library of America in 2012. As an orphan at the beginning of the novel,

Tarzan is quickly adopted by a tribe of apes; however, Tarzan recognizes that he is different and desperately tries to learn more about who he is. He soon learns that he is not an ape and is rather the descendent of the English Lord and Lady Greystoke. Despite any obstacles that he faces,

Tarzan continues to venture towards learning more about his origins in a hopeful attempt to discover his true identity.

The younger readers greatly benefit from an introduction to the virtues of acceptance and patience in Tarzan of the Apes. At an early age, children who are able to freely discuss and actively learn about diversity are less likely to adopt negative messages about difference as they grow up. Children must, therefore, acknowledge and understand diversity in order to develop empathy and patience for others who may be different than themselves (Zakin, 2012, p. 4). In

Tarzan of the Apes, the ape Kala quickly adopts Tarzan after his parents are brutally killed by the tribe of apes she belongs to. All of the other apes, including Kala’s husband, believe that Tarzan is not suitable to survive in the jungle and live alongside the tribe. Kala, however, accepts Tarzan as her own offspring and patiently awaits his development into a great ape. By demonstrating her virtuous attitude towards Tarzan, Kala teaches the children reading the novel the importance of accepting diversity. The novel therefore provides children with a foundation they can utilize to ACADEMIC BOOK REVIEW 3 openly discuss diversity with their parents, teachers and fellow peers. In effect, children will evade developing negative connotations towards diversity and rather have a more accepting attitude towards the differences of others.

Tarzan’s venture to discover his true identity encourages the young readers to continue conquering obstacles that may prevent any individual from learning more about themselves. The identity of a child is continuously developing because the child still has much to learn about their family, values, beliefs, etc. Numerous obstacles can also prevent the child from developing certain aspects of their identity. Tarzan also faces many obstacles as he strives to learn more about himself and where he comes from. For example, Tarzan must learn English from books he finds in his parent’s former cabin. A French explorer also attempts to teach him how to communicate with other people. Tarzan is often difficult to understand due to his broken

English; however, he continues to absorb the lessons his books and other people have to offer him. Through language and communication, Tarzan knows that he will be able to acquire more information regarding where he truly comes from. In turn, Tarzan will begin to develop and shape his personal identity. Tarzan is a role model to young children because he has to overcome difficult barriers in order to learn more about himself. Children can relate to Tarzan because many students, particularly those in middle school, are in a process of developing their own self- identities. Tarzan demonstrates to these children the importance of never abandoning the endeavour of developing their own self-identity, despite any obstacles that may arise.

As he continues to develop his self-identity, Tarzan emphasizes the power of forgiveness in restoration. As the new King of the Apes, Tarzan is responsible for the tribe’s well-being.

When one member of the ape tribe, Terkoz, becomes furious and threatens other apes, Tarzan quickly intervenes. He almost kills Terkoz; however, Tarzan’s ability to reconcile stops him ACADEMIC BOOK REVIEW 4 from doing so. Tarzan ponders to himself, “If I kill him, what advantage will it be to me? Will it not but rob the tribe of a great fighter?” (Burroughs, 2012, p. 148). Tarzan decides rather to forgive Terkoz for his dangerous actions and allows him to return to the community of apes.

Accordingly, the readers are able to recognize forgiveness and reconciliation as positive alternatives for restoration of a family, community or other relationships.

The stereotypical gender roles Tarzan of the Apes assigns to its characters can be harmful to the children reading the novel. Throughout the novel, Tarzan saves Jane numerous times from the fierce jungle animals and also from a fire. Tarzan is exemplified as the saviour and Jane is the ‘damsel-in-distress’ who cannot possibly save herself. Jane must rather wait to be saved by a male character, Tarzan. Novels containing sexism can have negative effects on how children identify themselves. Negative portrayals of a child’s gender can affect their self-esteem as well as impair their ability to develop encouraging self-concepts (Steyer, 2014, p. 173). Jane, in particular, represents a woman who is helpless and this characterization may negatively affect the self-worth of the female readers. The male readers may also be affected as they try to uphold the role of being the strong and heroic saviour. The gender bias represented in Tarzan of the Apes can confuse children and have negative effects on the outlooks, expectations, and behaviours the children possess (Steyer, 2014, p. 173). Both parents and literary works, however, can help to positively define a child in terms of their gender role to ensure success in their psychological development.

Tarzan of the Apes is an excellent teaching novel for children because important lessons on virtue and the power of forgiveness are carefully woven within the plot. Burroughs also provides a heroic main character that the young readers can relate with. After all, most children also need to overcome obstacles in pursuit of discovering their identity. Although the novel ACADEMIC BOOK REVIEW 5 contains harmful stereotypical gender roles, parents and teachers can use these stereotypes to teach their children that these roles are no longer acceptable in society. Children in middle school would greatly benefit from reading Tarzan of the Apes because at this age, possessing a virtuous personality is essential in later grades and various other positions. Gaining a virtuous character at a young age will allow children to further develop in a positive manner and secure success within their futures.

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References

Burroughs, Edgar Rice. (2012). Tarzan of the Apes. New York: Library of America.

McWhorter, George T. (2000, February). Burroughs, Edgar Rice. Retrieved January 20, 2016,

from http://www.anb.org/articles/16/16-00230.html

Steyer, Isabella. (2014). Gender Representations in Children's Media and their Influence.

Campus-Wide Information Systems, 31(2/3), 171-180.

Zakin, Andrea. (2012). Hand to Hand: Teaching Tolerance and Social Justice One Child at a

Time. Childhood Education, 88(1), 3-13.