The Nightmare by Edgar Rice Burroughs
In "The Nightmare" by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Tarzan of the Apes experiences a series of surreal and disturbing events after a night of hunger and frustration. While observing a village of black warriors feasting on elephant meat, he grapples with his envy and disgust for humanity. After stealthily killing an old warrior to steal food, he suffers from a strange illness caused by the decayed meat. As he sleeps, he dreams of being pursued by a lion that defies nature by climbing a tree, and he is ultimately rescued by a giant bird, only to fall back to the jungle. His dreams blur the line between reality and imagination, leading him to question the nature of his experiences. Upon awakening, he finds himself in his cabin, where he encounters Bolgani, a gorilla. Initially believing it to be another dream, he is forced into a violent confrontation that culminates in him killing the gorilla. This act leaves him pondering the distinction between dreams and reality, ultimately concluding that he will never eat elephant flesh again. The story explores themes of hunger, the grotesque nature of humanity, and the complexities of Tarzan's identity as both man and beast.
By Edgar Rice Burroughs · First published 1912 · Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Horror · 5,816 words
First lines
The blacks of the village of Mbonga, the chief, were feasting, while above them in a large tree sat Tarzan of the Apes -- grim, terrible, empty, and envious. Hunting had proved poor that day, for there are lean days as well as fat ones for even the greatest of the jungle hunters. Oftentimes Tarzan went empty for more than a full sun, and he had passed through entire moons during which he had been but barely able to stave off starvation; but such times were infrequent.
What this Textopian page supports
The Nightmare is listed on Textopian as a novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, dated 1912 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Edgar Rice Burroughs
- Date: 1912 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Horror, Literary Fiction, Thriller
- Length: 5,816 words
- Structure: 1 section, 55 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Nightmare by Edgar Rice Burroughs
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Adventure — The plot centers around Tarzan's survival and encounters in the jungle, showcasing his physical prowess and instincts.
- Fantasy — The narrative includes surreal elements such as dreams and anthropomorphic animals, blurring the lines between reality and imagination.
- Horror — Themes of disgust, death, and the grotesque are prevalent, particularly in Tarzan's interactions with the old warrior and the visions he experiences.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style incorporates introspective and philosophical elements, exploring themes of identity and the nature of reality.
Tags
Fantasy · Adventure · Science Fiction · Pulp Fiction · Classic Literature · Early 20th Century · American Literature · Imaginary World · Alternate Reality · Space Opera · Planetary Romance · Action Adventure