Celebration Of ‘White Supremacy’: A Critical Stylistic Analysis Of Tarzan Of The Apes

Abstract

Edgar Rice Burroughs' novel Tarzan of the Apes has been celebrated as a classic of adventure fiction that is known globally. It is important to explore the ideological world built through the language choices that the writer has made. For that purpose, the current research through the lens of Critical Stylistics aims to examine the different ways through which ‘white supremacy’ is built and reinforced throughout the novel. Critical Stylistics as a methodological tool looks at challenging dominant ideologies. The analysis of the novel shows that Burroughs through linguistic and structural choices has been able to create a dichotomy of white being superior to ‘black’ Africans. In addition, they way Tarzan has been characterized is another illustration of how ‘European’ intellect is superior that is why despite growing up with gorillas he is able to stay civilized and showcases his intelligence and intellect through different feats in the novel.