Excerpt

Excerpt from The People That Time Forgot, by Edgar Rice Burroughs

She was trying to teach me some verbs by going through the actions
herself as she repeated the proper word. We were very much
engrossed--so much so that we were giving no heed to what went on
beyond our cave--when Ajor stopped very suddenly, crying: "Kazor!" Now
she had been trying to teach me that ju meant stop; so when she cried
kazor and at the same time stopped, I thought for a moment that this
was part of my lesson--for the moment I forgot that kazor means beware.
I therefore repeated the word after her; but when I saw the expression
in her eyes as they were directed past me and saw her point toward the
entrance to the cave, I turned quickly--to see a hideous face at the
small aperture leading out into the night. It was the fierce and
snarling countenance of a gigantic bear. I have hunted silvertips in
the White Mountains of Arizona and thought them quite the largest and
most formidable of big game; but from the appearance of the head of
this awful creature I judged that the largest grizzly I had ever seen
would shrink by comparison to the dimensions of a Newfoundland dog.

Our fire was just within the cave, the smoke rising through the
apertures between the rocks that I had piled in such a way that they
arched inward toward the cliff at the top. The opening by means of
which we were to reach the outside was barricaded with a few large
fragments which did not by any means close it entirely; but through the
apertures thus left no large animal could gain ingress. I had depended
most, however, upon our fire, feeling that none of the dangerous
nocturnal beasts of prey would venture close to the flames. In this,
however, I was quite evidently in error, for the great bear stood with
his nose not a foot from the blaze, which was now low, owing to the
fact that I had been so occupied with my lesson and my teacher that I
had neglected to replenish it.

Ajor whipped out her futile little knife and pointed to my rifle. At
the same time she spoke in a quite level voice entirely devoid of
nervousness or any evidence of fear or panic. I knew she was exhorting
me to fire upon the beast; but this I did not wish to do other than as
a last resort, for I was quite sure that even my heavy bullets would
not more than further enrage him--in which case he might easily force
an entrance to our cave.

---

Explanation

Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from The People That Time Forgot by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Context of the Source

The People That Time Forgot (1918) is the second novel in Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Casparian Trilogy, a series of adventure-fantasy stories set in a lost world called Caprona, a hidden land where prehistoric creatures and primitive human tribes coexist. The novel follows Bowen Tyler, an American explorer who, after surviving a shipwreck, finds himself in this dangerous, primeval land. The excerpt depicts a moment of tension between Bowen and Ajor, a young woman from one of Caprona’s tribes, as they face an imminent threat from a monstrous bear.

Burroughs was a master of pulp adventure fiction, known for works like Tarzan and John Carter of Mars. His stories often blend exploration, survival, romance, and encounters with bizarre creatures, reflecting early 20th-century fascinations with lost worlds, evolution, and the unknown.

---

Themes in the Excerpt

1. Survival in a Primitive World

   • The excerpt highlights the constant danger in Caprona, where humans are not at the top of the food chain. The bear’s appearance disrupts the lesson, reinforcing the fragility of human knowledge and civilization in the face of nature’s brutality.
   • Bowen’s hesitation to shoot (fearing the bear might force its way in) shows strategic thinking under pressure, a recurring theme in survival narratives.

2. Cultural and Linguistic Barriers

   • Ajor is teaching Bowen her language, symbolizing cross-cultural exchange in a world where communication is vital for survival.
   • The misunderstanding of "kazor" (which means "beware" but is initially confused with "ju" for "stop") adds tension and underscores the difficulty of learning in life-or-death situations.

3. Human vs. Nature (and the Sublime)

   • The bear is described in hyperbolic, almost mythic terms—its size dwarfing even a grizzly—evoking the sublime terror of nature. This reflects Romantic-era influences (e.g., the awe-inspiring yet terrifying power of the wild).
   • The fire, a symbol of human ingenuity, is failing, suggesting that technology and civilization are no match for primal forces when neglected.

4. Gender Roles and Agency

   • Ajor, though armed only with a "futile little knife," remains calm and decisive, contrasting with Bowen’s hesitation. This subverts traditional damsel-in-distress tropes, showing her as resourceful and brave despite her limited tools.
   • Her instruction to Bowen ("exhorting me to fire") positions her as the more experienced guide, reversing the expected dynamic where the male protagonist takes charge.

---

Literary Devices & Stylistic Choices

1. Suspense & Pacing

   • The scene builds tension through delayed realization:
     • Ajor’s sudden stop → Bowen’s confusion → the reveal of the bear.
     • The gradual description of the bear (first its "hideous face," then its size compared to a grizzly) heightens dread.
   • The low fire (a neglected detail) becomes a Chekhov’s gun—its dying embers foreshadow the bear’s boldness.

2. Imagery & Sensory Details

   • Visual: The bear’s "fierce and snarling countenance" is vividly grotesque.
   • Tactile/Size Comparison: The bear’s head is so large that a grizzly would seem like a "Newfoundland dog" beside it—an exaggeration that reinforces the otherworldly danger of Caprona.
   • Sound: Ajor’s cry of "Kazor!" is abrupt, jarring the reader (and Bowen) out of the lesson’s calm.

3. Irony & Dramatic Tension

   • Situational Irony: Bowen, an experienced hunter, is outmatched by Caprona’s fauna, making his Arizona silvertip hunts seem trivial.
   • Dramatic Irony: The reader (and Ajor) know "kazor" means danger, but Bowen misinterprets it, creating a brief but tense moment of miscommunication.

4. Foreshadowing & Symbolism

   • The dying fire symbolizes human vulnerability—when attention lapses, danger strikes.
   • The cave as a temporary sanctuary mirrors the broader theme of Caprona as a land where safety is illusory.

5. Characterization Through Action

   • Ajor: Her composed demeanor ("level voice devoid of nervousness") contrasts with Bowen’s hesitation, showing her adaptation to Caprona’s dangers.
   • Bowen: His reluctance to shoot reveals practicality over bravado—he’s not a reckless hero but a strategic survivor.

---

Significance of the Scene

1. Microcosm of the Novel’s Conflict

   • The bear encounter encapsulates the central struggle of The People That Time Forgot: humans vs. a world that has "forgotten" modern rules.
   • It reinforces that knowledge (language, fire, weapons) is power, but even that is precarious in Caprona.

2. Bowen’s Growth

   • Earlier, Bowen may have relied on American frontier skills, but here he must adapt or die. His hesitation shows he’s learning caution—a necessary trait in this land.

3. Ajor as a Foil & Guide

   • She represents the indigenous knowledge Bowen lacks. Her calm leadership suggests that survival in Caprona requires humility and cooperation.

4. Pulp Adventure Tropes

   • The scene is classic Burroughs: sudden peril, exotic creatures, a resourceful heroine, and a protagonist who must think fast.
   • It also plays into the "lost world" genre’s fascination with prehistoric threats and human resilience.

---

Conclusion: Why This Excerpt Matters

This passage is a masterclass in tension-building within pulp adventure. It:

• Immerses the reader in Caprona’s dangers through vivid, sensory language.
• Develops character dynamics (Ajor’s competence vs. Bowen’s adaptability).
• Thematizes survival, language, and the sublime terror of nature.
• Showcases Burroughs’ skill in blending action, suspense, and world-building in just a few paragraphs.

The bear isn’t just a monster—it’s a symbol of Caprona itself: ancient, overwhelming, and indifferent to human struggles. The scene forces Bowen (and the reader) to confront the fragility of human dominance in a world where time has forgotten progress.

Would you like a deeper dive into any specific aspect, such as Burroughs’ influences or how this compares to other "lost world" stories?

---

Questions

Question 1

The narrator’s initial misinterpretation of Ajor’s cry of "kazor" serves primarily to:

A. underscore the futility of cross-cultural communication in life-or-death scenarios.
B. highlight the narrator’s overconfidence in his linguistic aptitude.
C. establish Ajor’s pedagogical inefficacy under pressure.
D. create a fleeting but critical delay that amplifies the immediacy of the threat.
E. parody the trope of the "noble savage" by emphasizing her primitive vocabulary.

Question 2

The description of the bear’s size through the simile comparing it to a Newfoundland dog functions most effectively as:

A. a realist’s attempt to quantify the unquantifiable for a skeptical audience.
B. an appeal to the reader’s familiarity with domestic animals to soften the horror.
C. a subtle critique of the narrator’s hyperbole, undermining his credibility.
D. a nod to the pulp adventure genre’s reliance on exaggerated fauna.
E. a device to collapse the sublime into the comprehensible, only to reassert its terror.

Question 3

Ajor’s "futile little knife" is best understood as a symbol of:

A. the inevitability of female subjugation in primitive societies.
B. the narrator’s condescension toward indigenous toolmaking.
C. the futility of human resistance against nature’s overwhelming force.
D. a deliberate contrast to the rifle, emphasizing technological disparity.
E. resilient agency in the face of insurmountable odds, unburdened by false hope.

Question 4

The narrator’s hesitation to fire his rifle is most fundamentally rooted in:

A. a subconscious deferral to Ajor’s authority as the native expert.
B. an aesthetic revulsion at the idea of destroying such a magnificent creature.
C. a fear of noise attracting even more dangerous predators.
D. a strategic calculation that the bear’s rage could outweigh the bullet’s stopping power.
E. a momentary paralysis induced by the cognitive dissonance of the bear’s unnatural size.

Question 5

The passage’s treatment of fire as a failing barrier is most thematically resonant with:

A. the decline of Enlightenment rationalism in the face of Romantic primal forces.
B. the hubris of colonial explorers who assume their tools guarantee dominance.
C. the fragility of human constructs when pitted against atavistic, pre-civilizational threats.
D. a Darwinian allegory about the unsustainability of weak adaptations.
E. a metaphor for the narrator’s waning focus on survival as he becomes distracted by Ajor.

Solutions and Explanations

1) Correct answer: D

Why D is most correct: The narrator’s confusion over "kazor" introduces a brief but critical pause, delaying the realization of danger. This momentary delay sharpens the suddenness of the bear’s appearance, making the threat feel more urgent and immediate. The misinterpretation functions as a narrative device to heighten tension by withholding the full context until the last moment.

Why the distractors are less supported:

• A: The passage doesn’t suggest cross-cultural communication is inherently futile—only that it is vulnerable to interruption.
• B: The narrator isn’t overconfident; he is simply focused on the lesson before the disruption.
• C: Ajor’s teaching is effective until the bear’s arrival; her competence isn’t in question.
• E: There is no parody of the "noble savage" trope; the scene treats Ajor’s language with seriousness.

2) Correct answer: E

Why E is most correct: The simile initially domesticates the bear’s size by comparing it to a familiar animal (a Newfoundland dog), only to reassert its terror by implication. If a grizzly is reduced to a dog in comparison, the bear must be unfathomably monstrous. This collapses the sublime into the comprehensible before re-expanding it, deepening the sense of horror.

Why the distractors are less supported:

• A: The passage isn’t attempting to quantify the bear for skeptics; it is evoking awe and dread.
• B: The comparison doesn’t soften the horror—it intensifies it through contrast.
• C: The narrator’s credibility isn’t undermined; the hyperbole is intentional for effect.
• D: While exaggerated fauna is a genre trope, the simile serves a thematic purpose beyond generic convention.

3) Correct answer: E

Why E is most correct: The knife is "futile" in a practical sense, yet Ajor wields it without hesitation. This paradox—defiance despite futility—symbolizes agency unburdened by false hope. She doesn’t rely on illusions of control (like the narrator’s rifle might suggest); she acts despite the odds, embodying pure resilience.

Why the distractors are less supported:

• A: Ajor is not subjugated; she is the more composed figure in the scene.
• B: The narrator doesn’t condescend; he acknowledges the knife’s limitations objectively.
• C: The knife doesn’t symbolize futility itself—it represents action in the face of inevitability.
• D: While the contrast with the rifle exists, the knife’s significance lies in Ajor’s attitude, not just technological disparity.

4) Correct answer: D

Why D is most correct: The narrator explicitly fears that firing could "further enrage" the bear, indicating a strategic calculation: the risk of provoking the bear outweighs the potential benefit of a non-lethal shot. His hesitation is rooted in practical survival logic, not emotion or indecision.

Why the distractors are less supported:

• A: He isn’t deferring to Ajor; he is making an independent judgment.
• B: There is no aesthetic revulsion; the bear is a threat, not an object of admiration.
• C: Noise isn’t a concern; the focus is on the bear’s potential reaction.
• E: "Cognitive dissonance" implies confusion, but the narrator’s reasoning is clear and deliberate.

5) Correct answer: C

Why C is most correct: Fire represents human ingenuity and control, but its failure highlights the precariousness of civilization’s tools against primordial forces. The bear, a relic of a pre-human world, exposes the fragility of human constructs, reinforcing the theme that Caprona is a place where modern defenses are perpetually vulnerable.

Why the distractors are less supported:

• A: The passage isn’t critiquing Enlightenment vs. Romanticism; it focuses on immediate survival.
• B: Colonial hubris isn’t the central theme; the narrator is an explorer, not a colonizer.
• D: The fire’s failure is situational, not an allegory for evolutionary unsustainability.
• E: The fire’s failure isn’t tied to the narrator’s distraction; it symbolizes the collapse of human defenses.