Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar R Burroughs is a notorious exemplar of both racist and sexist rhapsody. A veteran writer, Burroughs creates his macho hero with precise choice-wording and heart-throbbing suspense, presenting the turn-of-the-century hegemonic ideals of masculinity stemming from the notion of white supremacy twinned with primitive savagery. To understand the aim of constructing such a larger-than-life figure, we will take a look at the male body first, then analyze the ego, finally inspect the noble heart and civilized demeanor which are the essence of its spirit.
