The Weight of Civilization: Shame, Identity, and the "Top" of the Hierarchical Ladder in Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan of the Apes
The iconic character of Tarzan, created by author Edgar Rice Burroughs, has been a staple of popular culture for over a century. The tales of the man raised by gorillas in the African jungle have captivated audiences worldwide, inspiring countless adaptations in film, television, and literature. However, amidst the excitement and adventure, a peculiar aspect of Jane Porter's character has raised eyebrows and sparked debate: her signature top. tarzanx shame of jane top
The Tarzan myth and the motif of “the ashamed Jane” together form a rich, paradox-laden tableau where wilderness and civilization collide, gender and power are negotiated, and identity trembles on the cusp between exposure and concealment. Examining “Tarzan × Shame of Jane” as a conceptual pairing—rather than a single canonical text—lets us probe how shame functions in narratives of contact: what it reveals, what it hides, and how it becomes a force that reshapes both person and story. The Weight of Civilization: Shame, Identity, and the
While some may argue that Jane's top is a harmless aspect of her character design, others see it as a symbol of objectification and sexism. The outfit has been criticized for: The Tarzan myth and the motif of “the
However, the movie has some flaws. The pacing can be slow at times, and some characters feel underdeveloped. The villain, a rival suitor for Jane's affections named Clayton (a returning character from the first film), is somewhat one-dimensional.