If ever Burroughs wrote a tongue-in-cheek Tarzan story, _Tarzan and the
Lion Man_ came closest. Several critics have commented that Burroughs
often satirized such things as religion, social customs and the like,
but it should also be noted that he was not above kidding himself and
his fellow men.
In Chapter 5, the suggestion is made that the motion picture hero go
out in front of the safari, and clear the way of marauding natives.
But the Lion Man is quick to reply that he'd "like to have the author
of that story" sent out instead. The Old Master must have smiled to
himself as he wrote that dialogue, for through his seventy-four years,
he never once set foot in Africa.
Burroughs was also continually pointing out that man is the only
creature that is cruel, vindictive, selfish, ambitious and treacherous,
while wild animals are not. This is blandly pointed out in the novel,
particularly in the latter portions of Chapter 25.
But the crowning satire of the whole novel, even overshadowing the
fabulous episode of the gorillas, are the last couple of chapters
dealing with Tarzan's visit to Hollywood, California. They concern the
casting of a new Tarzan film, and one John Clayton, Lord Greystoke,
Tarzan of the Apes himself. Upon being asked to try out for the part
of Tarzan, he is considered by the casting director as "not the type."
Truly, Burroughs must still be chuckling about that little scene.
--CAMILLE CAZEDESSUS, JR.
_Editor, ERB-dom, a magazine
devoted to Burroughs and his works._
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