The Witch-Doctor Seeks Vengeance
The narrative follows two parallel lives of Lord Greystoke, one in England and the other in the African jungle, where the true Lord Greystoke, known as Tarzan, lives among the wild. The story begins with the English Lord Greystoke participating in a pheasant shoot, oblivious to the fact that he is an impostor, while the real Tarzan hunts in the jungle, embodying primal instincts and skills. Tarzan's existence is marked by a deep connection to the jungle and its creatures. He is aware of the dangers and the hierarchy of the wild, including his encounters with a lion, Numa. The narrative shifts to Tarzan's interactions with the Gomangani tribe, particularly focusing on his complex feelings towards them, stemming from past grievances, including the death of his adoptive mother, Kala. The plot thickens when Tibo, the son of a Gomangani woman named Momaya, is kidnapped by Bukawai, a malevolent witch-doctor. Bukawai seeks revenge against the tribe and demands an exorbitant ransom for Tibo's return, leveraging the fear and desperation of the villagers. Momaya's frantic search for her son leads her to confront Bukawai, who manipulates the situation to his advantage. As Tibo endures the horrors of captivity, Tarzan follows the trail of the witch-doctor and the hyenas that accompany him. The tension escalates as Tibo faces imminent danger from the hyenas, who are hungry and aggressive. Tarzan's instincts drive him to rescue Tibo just as the hyenas break into the chamber where the boy is held. The climax occurs when Tarzan confronts the hyenas, showcasing his strength and agility. He successfully saves Tibo and returns him to his mother, disrupting Bukawai's plans. The witch-doctor, realizing the futility of his schemes, flees into the jungle, leaving the villagers to grapple with their fear and anger. The story concludes with Tarzan's return to the jungle, where he remains a figure of awe and fear among the tribes, while the impostor Lord Greystoke continues his life in England, unaware of the true legacy of his title. The narrative explores themes of identity, the clash between civilization and the primal world, and the complexities of revenge and redemption.
By Edgar Rice Burroughs · First published 1915 · Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Action · 8,675 words
First lines
Lord Greystoke was hunting, or, to be more accurate, he was shooting pheasants at Chamston-Hedding. Lord Greystoke was immaculately and appropriately garbed -- to the minutest detail he was vogue. To be sure, he was among the forward guns, not being considered a sporting shot, but what he lacked in skill he more than made up in appearance. At the end of the day he would, doubtless, have many birds to his credit, since he had two guns and a smart loader -- many more birds than he could eat in a year, even had he been hungry, which he was not, having but just arisen from the breakfast table.
What this Textopian page supports
The Witch-Doctor Seeks Vengeance is listed on Textopian as a novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, dated 1915 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: 1915 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Action, Thriller, Literary Fiction
- Length: 8,675 words
- Structure: 1 section, 95 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Witch-Doctor Seeks Vengeance by Edgar Rice Burroughs
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Witch-Doctor Seeks Vengeance?
- How does this novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Adventure — The plot centers around Tarzan's thrilling exploits in the jungle, including hunting, rescue missions, and confrontations with enemies.
- Fantasy — The presence of supernatural elements, such as witch-doctors and the mystical aspects of Tarzan's character, contribute to a fantastical setting.
- Action — The narrative is filled with dynamic action sequences, including battles with hyenas and the witch-doctor, driving the plot forward.
- Thriller — The tension surrounding the kidnapping of Tibo and the impending danger from Bukawai creates a suspenseful atmosphere.
Tags
Fantasy · Adventure · Action · Magic · Vengeance · Revenge · Mystery · Thriller · Suspense · Dark Fantasy · Supernatural · Occult