Tarzan was raised by animals, which would suggest a story of a white man that is animalistic (and thus reverses racist presumptions of the

Tarzan was raised by animals, which would suggest a story of a white man that is animalistic (and thus reverses racist presumptions of the

Generally: Look for how the colonial epistemology of the “great Chain of Being” still haunts this story (More civilized, less civilized?/Closer to animals vs. closer to “god’)? Do close textual reading (which means pick out the words and scenes which shows this).

A.Tarzan was raised by animals, which would suggest a story of a white man that is animalistic (and thus reverses racist presumptions of the chain of being?). Or does it? Listen for 2-3 ways that Tarzan is differentiated from the animals as being human or having dominion/knowledge over animals. Or, you can examine how Jane is portrayed as unique and “more valuable” in the story. Write down a phrases, or scenes where this occurs.(For ex. “And my name isn’t Tarzan.It’s John Clayton the third.Son of John and Alice Clayton.Fifth Earl of Greystoke.A member of the House of Lords.”)

B.Visually or in dialogue, what are the subtle and not so subtle ways that comparisons are still made between the African people and animals? (Describe a scenes or dialogue)

C.Why do the Congolese people and George Washington Williams need Tarzan to come save them according to the film? What status does he have that “they” don’t? Identify one way he seems to know Africa better than even the Africans.

D. Did the movie teach you about the historical atrocities of Belgian genocide in the Congo? What changes does it make about the real historical story? What might be lost by this?

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