Tarzan’s father is a relatively minor character in the Disney film adaptation of the classic tale. In fact, he doesn’t have a name and is only seen briefly in the film’s opening scene.
According to the film’s retelling of the story, Tarzan’s parents were English aristocrats who were shipwrecked off the coast of Africa. They managed to build a treehouse and live off the land, but their peaceful existence was shattered when they were attacked by Sabor the leopard.
Tarzan’s father is shown bravely defending his family with a rifle, but ultimately he is overpowered by the fierce predator. His wife, Tarzan’s mother, is also killed in the attack.
While Tarzan’s father may not have a significant role in the film, his sacrifice sets the stage for the rest of the story. It is his death that ultimately leads to Tarzan beng raised by the gorillas and becoming the hero of the film.
In some versions of the Tarzan story, Tarzan’s father is depicted as a more active character. In the original novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, for example, Tarzan’s father is named John Clayton and is a British lord who is marooned on the coast of Africa with his pregnant wife, Lady Alice.
Clayton manages to build a cabin and a stockade to protect his family from the dangers of the jungle, but he is eventually killed by Kerchak, the leader of the apes, who sees him as a threat to his own dominance.
While Tarzan’s father may not be a central figure in the Disney film, his role is crucial to the story’s development. His death sets Tarzan on a path that ultimately leads to his discovery of his true identity and his heroic actions to protect his adopted family.
Is Kerchak Tarzan’s Dad?
Kerchak is considered Tarzan’s adopted father in the 1999 Disney animated film, Tarzan. Although Tarzan is not biologically related to Kerchak, the gorilla leader is the one who takes Tarzan under his wing and raises him as his own after Tarzan’s parents are killed by the leopard Sabor. Throughout the film, Kerchak has a complicated relationship with Tarzan, as he struggles to accept the human boy as a member of his gorilla family and resents Tarzan’s growing connection to the other gorillas. Ultimately, however, Kerchak sacrifices himself to protect Tarzan from harm and accepts him as a true member of the family, showing that their bond is stronger than any biological connection.
Who Killed Tarzan’s Parents?
In the retelling of Tarzan’s story, it was Sabor the leopard who killed Tarzan’s parents. Kala, a gorilla, saved the infant Tarzan from Sabor’s attack. As Kala had lost her own child to the same leopard, she decided to adopt Tarzan as her own. Kerchak, the leader of the gorilla tribe, disapproved of Kala’s decision. Therefore, it was Sabor the leopard who killed Tarzan’s parents in this version of the story.
Is Terk From Tarzan A Girl?
Terk from Tarzan is a female character. She is voiced by Rosie O’Donnell and is portrayed as a tomboyish and masculine gorilla. While her gender is not explicitly discussed in the film, it is implied through her name and appearance.
Conclusion
Tarzan’s dad is a minor character in the film and plays a brief role in the opening scene. He is depicted as a caring and loving father who tries to protect his family from Sabor the leopard. However, his tragic demise sets the stage for the rest of the film’s plot, as Tarzan is left alone in the jungle and forced to adapt to a new life. While his character is not explored in great depth, his sacrifice serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers and challenges of life in the wild, and the importance of family and community in overcoming them. Tarzan’s dad is a crucial but brief character in the film, whose impact is felt throghout the story.
