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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Tarzan continue his lessons when his tribe is far from the cabin?

2. What worries Kala about her white ape baby?

3. What happens when Kulonga’s body is found in Chapter 10

4. In Chapter 14, how does Tarzan save Clayton’s life the first time?

5. How old is Tarzan when he is finally able to read the children’s primer?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Tarzan kill a gorilla, how does the gorilla injure Tarzan and how does Tarzan recover?

2. What does Tarzan see in Chapter 13 when he returns to the cabin from getting clothing?

3. Why does Kala worry about her baby and how does Tarzan get his name?

4. How does Kerchak get his hands on a rifle and what does he do with it?

5. How and why does Tarzan kill Tublet?

6. Why does Tarzan remain king of the ape tribe for a while and how does he finally relinquish that position?

7. How does Tarzan save Clayton’s life two times in Chapter 14?

8. What does Tarzan do on the way back to the tribe from the village in Chapter 11 and how do the members of the tribe react to his tale?

9. What breaks the peace around the area of Tarzan’s ape tribe in Chapter 9?

10. What is Lord Greystoke told by a crew member and what does he do with this information?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Burroughs reiterates the ideas of the "noble savage" -- the possibility of natural goodness, strength, and superiority inherent in mankind even though brought up in violent Nature. Noble savage first appeared in English in the 1600’s in a John Dryden’s play. Why might Tarzan be considered a “noble savage?” Does Burroughs portray him as one? Discuss at least three incidences in Tarzan of the Apes in which Tarzan could be said to be a noble savage. Use examples from the book to support your response.

Essay Topic 2

When asked why Burroughs wrote the Tarzan series about a “noble savage” he said: Of course the primary motive of a story like Tarzan of the Apes is to entertain, yet in writing this and other stories I have been considerably influenced by the hope that they might carry a beneficial suggestion of the value of physical perfection and morality. Discuss what you think Burroughs means by the above quote. Do you think Tarzan fulfills Burroughs’ vision for Tarzan? Why or why not? Use examples from the book to support your response.

Essay Topic 3

Tarzan often reflects on the differences he sees between jungle creatures and civilized men. Discuss Tarzan’s opinions of jungle creatures versus men and how they live. Use examples from the book to support your response.

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