The Man He Wanted to Be?
Was Williams’ mission to help the Congolese natives something that sparked Burroughs’ interest? We don’t know for sure. But Tarzan also stood up against the violence and greed of colonial hunters. Burroughs was never raised by apes, but he did seem to have a sense of moral obligation regarding the treatment of his fellow man and animals.
Photo by Mgm / Kobal / Shutterstock
In his own words: “As the body rolled to the ground, Tarzan of the Apes placed his foot upon the neck of his lifelong enemy and, raising his eyes to the full moon, threw back his fierce young head and voiced the wild and terrible cry of his people.” Who knows – maybe Tarzan was the man Burroughs wished he could have been.