The Carolina Calots summer reading and discussion kicked off with the thrilling adventure of "Pirates of Venus," which marked the beginning of Burroughs' captivating series featuring Carson Napier's unexpected detour and arrival on the mysterious planet shrouded in clouds. While we reveled in the story's abundant humor and clever political satire, an intriguing side note emerged, about Burroughs' once again incorporating immorality into the narrative. This revelation sparked a captivating conversation among us, as we pondered the underlying reasons behind the author's apparent fascination with the concept of everlasting life.
We know that one of the important precursors of the Tarzan stories was the legend of Romulus and Remus, who were suckled by a she-wolf and later founded Rome. It is possible that Edgar Rice Burroughs drew further inspiration from mythology, particularly its focus on immortality. In Greek and Roman myths, heroes and demigods often grappled with the idea of living forever. Although they were not gods themselves, some were bestowed with immortality as a reward for their extraordinary feats or due to the favor of the gods. A famous example is Achilles, who became immortal except for his heel, as his mother failed to immerse it in the River Styx while trying to make him invincible.
According to the online Encyclopedia of Science Fiction, immortality is a common theme in speculative thought. The pursuit of the elixir of life and the fountain of youth are often seen as intellectual and exploratory quests. However, what is truly sought after is not just long life, but also freedom from aging and the possibility of rejuvenation. This is exemplified in the myth of Tithonus and Jonathan Swift's depiction of the Struldbruggs in Gulliver's Travels.
A member known for their scholarly insights suggested that Burroughs' intention was to guarantee the eternal existence of his characters. Although this explanation seems reasonable, it is an unconventional literary approach. Even before Burroughs wrote his initial story, iconic characters like Huckleberry Finn, Captain Nemo, Hamlet, and Robin Hood had already solidified their places in culture without relying on mystical fictional immortality.
It's possible that the writer was preoccupied with thoughts of his own mortality. This theory aligns with a statement from the pages of “My Famous Father-In-Law" by son-in-law James Pierce posted in ERBZine Volume 1434 – A friend asked him, "What are you doing with the Bible, Ed?" "Looking for a loophole," was his reply.”
The Indiana Jones franchise demonstrates the significance of maintaining the main character's perpetual youthfulness. Harrison Ford's age and physical appearance significantly influenced the storyline of the latest installment, Dial of Destiny. Despite impressive acting and cinematography, some of the depicted incidents would have realistically incapacitated an 80-year-old man. The fact remains that more than one in four individuals aged 65 years or older experience a fall (breaking bones) each year, with the risk of falling and related issues increasing with age.
Burroughs' keen understanding of age and its impact on his characters is evident in his work. In "A Princess of Mars," he introduces this theme early on, shaping the journey of John Carter. –
The average life expectancy of a Martian after the age of maturity is about three hundred years, but would be nearer the one-thousand mark were it not for the various means leading to violent death.
In the wild world of Pellucidar, the bizarre time and physics of the underground realm allow David Innes and Abner Perry to remain in a perennial state.
When I reminded Perry that he was one hundred and one years old, he nearly threw a fit. He said it was perfectly ridiculous and that Jason Gridley must have been hoaxing me; then he brightened up and called my attention to the fact that I was fifty-six. Fifty-six! Well, perhaps I should have been had I remained in Connecticut; but I'm still in my twenties down here.
As Carson languished in his Venusian prison, fate intervened and he found himself unexpectedly infused with a powerful longevity serum.
A thousand years ago the serum of longevity was perfected. It is injected every two years and not only provides immunity from all diseases but insures the complete restoration of all wasted tissue.
While other characters in various stories are subject to the rules of their unique worlds, Tarzan resides in our reality. This means that, like us, he is not immune to the effects of aging. As time passes, swinging from vine to vine becomes more challenging for him, highlighting the inevitability of aging and the limitations it brings.
The theme of immortality and the search for eternal youth is a recurring motif in human culture, spanning across different civilizations and time periods. Stories of individuals seeking the elusive Elixir of Life can be found in ancient Mesopotamian myths to Japanese folklore. The desire to defy the natural order and escape the grasp of time is a universal human longing, reflected in the tales of immortality that have been passed down through generations. In Tarzan's case, Burroughs provides him with not just one, but two opportunities to challenge the aging process, ensuring that he does not miss his chance to preserve his youth and vitality as he relates during his adventures with the Foreign Legion.
When I was a young man," said Tarzan, "I saved a native from a man-eating lion. He was very grateful, and wished to repay me in some way. He offered me perpetual youth.
Tarzan regretted the decision to undergo a series of potions, intricate rituals, and even a blood transfusion, as he reflected on the experience. He couldn't help but wish he had never gone through with it. Tarzan then proceeded to share his thrilling escapades from the enthralling narrative of Tarzan's Quest. (*)
A tribe of fanatics in a remote part of Africa compounded a hellish thing that achieved perpetual youth.
In the course of tracing a couple of girls they had stolen, I found their village. To make a long story short, my companions and I succeeded in rescuing the girls and obtaining a supply of their compound.(*) Those who have taken it, including a little monkey, have shown no signs of aging since.
Let's ponder the question of whether Arthur Conan Doyle needed to make Sherlock Holmes immortal to ensure the character's relevance for 137 years. We can draw some comparisons to other literary figures. In 1883, Carlo Collodi transformed a wooden boy into a human boy, and the name Pinocchio still holds significance today. Nancy Drew, despite being 94 years old, continues to captivate readers with her teenage mystery adventures, both online and in
bookstores. Even Gilgamesh, the world's oldest literary hero, who let immortality slip through his fingers, has his stories persist in various forms. So, in light of these examples, did Edgar Rice Burroughs' decision to grant his heroic pantheon long life offer any additional value to us as readers? And what about the author himself? Did he reap any benefits from this choice?
To answer that question, we return to Tarzan and the Foreign Legion. Considering John Clayton's actual age was 56, it seems highly unlikely that he would have been granted a commission in the R.A.F. during World War II. However, thanks to the unique concept of Tarzan's suspension from aging, the author cleverly situates him on the Japanese-occupied
Island of Sumatra. Here, Tarzan can utilize his exceptional jungle skills and unwavering strength to not only rescue his fellow soldiers but also engage in combat against the enemy forces, while desperately trying to find a way to escape.
So, Burroughs capitalized on the eternal life of his hero. The crucial question is what would he have done next? Like Captain America would there have been stories of men out of time? David Innes popped to the surface in a different era, such as the 1950s. John Carter returned to Earth and had to navigate the complexities of modern technology, like driving a car or using a telephone.
Personally, I have to admit that the idea of Tarzan chatting away on a cell phone while swinging through the trees doesn't sit well with me. However, when you throw in the element of immortality for this character, suddenly the whole concept becomes much more possible. Similarly, the thought of John Carter encountering the crew of SpaceX's Starship on Mars is quite fascinating. Of course, as with any story involving immortality, there are both positive and negative aspects to consider. The ethical implications, the impact on relationships, and the psychological effects of living forever are all important themes that can be explored in depth. That’s why the topic of immortality has sparked so much discussion and debate online, with articles and forums dedicated to exploring the various aspects of eternal life.
Delving into the motivations behind Burroughs' decision to grant his fictional characters eternal life presents an intriguing opportunity for literary analysis. By bestowing this gift upon his creations, Burroughs has essentially provided a platform for exploring a myriad of scenarios across various time periods, societies, and life experiences. It will be a true test of creativity and imagination for upcoming writers to build upon Burroughs' foundation and infuse these immortal characters with fresh perspectives and narratives. By breathing new life into these figures, writers can pay homage to Burroughs' legacy while also carving out their own unique contributions to the tapestry of literary history. The immortality bestowed upon these characters by Burroughs serves as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the boundless creativity that fuels the world of fiction.