Edward Said's concept of orientalism is greatly manifested in “Tarzan of the Apes”; showing that even though Tarzan was born in Africa, he is different and superior to other Africans due to his genetic ancestry. Not only is Tarzan presented as superior to black men, but he is also presented as superior to other white men – being presented as a new ideal for the white man. The following will examine Tarzan through Said's theories of Orientalism - demonstrating that Burroughs treats black Africans like other Orientals. The concept of orientalism is demonstrated by placing the character Tarzan in an unfamiliar environment, where he must then overcome various circumstances. Tarzan is faced with the fact that he is not as strong as the other apes, but he overcomes this inferiority through his self-taught knowledge. This self-taught knowledge is, in itself, a demonstration of superiority over other Africans because other men were not obliged to learn themselves. Similarly, in the text, Tarzan makes the choice not to eat Kulonga, implying that he is superior to the blacks of Africa because they are not intelligent or caring enough to not eat another man. This implies to the reader that they may not be men at all. This further contributes to the idea that there is a concept of “whiteness” and that by describing an individual as black you are defining them as different. Conversely, defining a person as white is simply defining them as human. The story of Tarzan of the Apes also introduces the concept of "whiteness" through D'Arnot's description of the tribe that plans to eat him. D'Arnot describes them in terms of animals, resembling beasts, not those of a man. D'Arnot places himself at a level of superiority, ...... middle of paper ...... eating people by the color of their skin. Furthermore, showing this racism in all areas, even in the novel. This further supports Said's theory of Orientalism as it shows the Westernized world considering itself superior to that of the Orient or others. Racism can be seen in Tarzan through Burroughs making the characters think and say things that directly and indirectly involve black people. of Africa are inferior. It is also necessary for black Africans to practice cannibalistic rituals which, in today's world, would not be accepted by society. In doing so, it isolated them from the rest of humanity, allowing individuals to view them as an "other", or something that does not belong to the same group because of this behavior. Examining Tarzan through Said's theories of Orientalism, we see that Burroughs treats black Africans like other Orientals..