Global Perspectives on Tarzan

<p>This collection seeks to understand the long-lasting and global appeal of Tarzan: Why is a story about a feral boy who is raised by apes in the African jungle so compelling and so adaptable to different cultural contexts and audiences? How is it that the same narrative serves as the basis for both children’s cartoons and lavish musical productions or as a vehicle for both nationalistic discourse and for light romantic fantasy? Considering a history of criticism that highlights the imperialistic sexist racist underpinnings of the original Tarzan narrative why would this character and story appeal to so many readers and viewers around the world? The essays in this volume written by scholars living and working in Australia Canada Israel The Netherlands Germany France and the United States explore these questions using various critical lenses. Chapters include discussions of Tarzan novels comics television shows toys films and performances produced or distributed in the U.S. Canada Israel Palestine Britain India The Netherlands Germany and France and consider such topics as imperialism national identities language acquisition adaptation gender constructions Tarzan’s influence on child readers and Tarzan’s continued and broad influence on cultures around the world. What emerges when these pieces are placed into dialogue with one another is an immensely complex picture of an enduring multi-faceted global pop culture icon. </p>