We want to believe love is safe, negotiated, and equitable. But the myth of Tarzan and Jane whispers a dangerous lie: that true passion requires the destruction of the self. That to be truly desired, you must first be truly conquered. And for Jane, the shame is that she doesn't want to be rescued. She wants to be ruined.
We think we know the story of Tarzan. It’s the ultimate male fantasy: the orphaned lord of the jungle who speaks to elephants, fights the savage leopard, and—most importantly—captures the heart of the civilized Jane Porter. He is the noble savage, physically perfect and morally pure, untainted by the greed of the city. tarzon x shame of jane
Edgar Rice Burroughs gave us a hero who could kill with his bare hands but weep for the death of an ape. Tarzon (a common misspelling, but one that feels grittier, more visceral) is the id unleashed. He doesn't ask for consent; he takes. He doesn't negotiate with the jungle; he conquers it. We want to believe love is safe, negotiated, and equitable
And neither does he. Have you read the original Burroughs novels, or are you only familiar with the Disney version? Let me know your take on the "Shadow Jane" theory in the comments. And for Jane, the shame is that she