Appearance
Excerpt
Excerpt from Out of Time's Abyss, by Edgar Rice Burroughs
The bear halted in its tracks, wheeled toward Bradley and then back
again toward Tippet. Again the former's rifle spit angrily, and the
bear turned again in his direction. Bradley shouted loudly. "Come on,
you behemoth of Holy Writ!" he cried. "Come on, you duffer! Can't
waste ammunition." And as he saw the bear apparently upon the verge of
deciding to charge him, he encouraged the idea by backing rapidly away,
knowing that an angry beast will more often charge one who moves than
one who lies still.
And the bear did charge. Like a bolt of lightning he flashed down upon
the Englishman. "Now run!" Bradley called to Tippet and himself
turned in flight toward a nearby tree. The other men, now safely
ensconced upon various branches, watched the race with breathless
interest. Would Bradley make it? It seemed scarce possible. And if
he didn't! James gasped at the thought. Six feet at the shoulder
stood the frightful mountain of blood-mad flesh and bone and sinew that
was bearing down with the speed of an express train upon the seemingly
slow-moving man.
It all happened in a few seconds; but they were seconds that seemed
like hours to the men who watched. They saw Tippet leap to his feet at
Bradley's shouted warning. They saw him run, stooping to recover his
rifle as he passed the spot where it had fallen. They saw him glance
back toward Bradley, and then they saw him stop short of the tree that
might have given him safety and turn back in the direction of the bear.
Firing as he ran, Tippet raced after the great cave bear--the monstrous
thing that should have been extinct ages before--ran for it and fired
even as the beast was almost upon Bradley. The men in the trees
scarcely breathed. It seemed to them such a futile thing for Tippet to
do, and Tippet of all men! They had never looked upon Tippet as a
coward--there seemed to be no cowards among that strangely assorted
company that Fate had gathered together from the four corners of the
earth--but Tippet was considered a cautious man. Overcautious, some
thought him. How futile he and his little pop-gun appeared as he
dashed after that living engine of destruction! But, oh, how glorious!
It was some such thought as this that ran through Brady's mind, though
articulated it might have been expressed otherwise, albeit more
forcefully.
Explanation
Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from Out of Time’s Abyss by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Context of the Source
Out of Time’s Abyss (1918) is the third and final novel in Edgar Rice Burroughs’ The Caspak Trilogy, a series of adventure-fantasy stories set in a lost world where prehistoric creatures and humans coexist. The trilogy follows explorers who discover Caspak, a mysterious land where evolution operates in reverse—humans devolve into primitive forms as they move inland. The novel blends pulp adventure, survival themes, and speculative evolution, typical of Burroughs’ work (best known for Tarzan and John Carter of Mars).
This excerpt depicts a life-or-death encounter between two men—Bradley (a bold, quick-witted Englishman) and Tippet (a cautious, methodical man)—and a giant cave bear, a creature thought to be extinct. The scene is a test of courage, strategy, and sacrifice, showcasing Burroughs’ signature fast-paced action and primal survival stakes.
Themes in the Excerpt
Courage vs. Caution
- Bradley is reckless and daring, taunting the bear ("Come on, you duffer!") and deliberately provoking it to charge, knowing movement triggers predatory instincts.
- Tippet, usually "overcautious," defies expectations by risking his life to save Bradley, showing that true bravery isn’t just impulsiveness but also self-sacrifice.
- The men’s reactions ("How futile he and his little pop-gun appeared") highlight the unpredictability of human behavior under pressure.
Survival and Primitive Instincts
- The bear is described as a "living engine of destruction", emphasizing the raw, untamed power of nature against human ingenuity.
- Bradley’s tactic of retreat to a tree reflects primitive survival strategies—using the environment (height) to counter a ground predator.
- The speed of the action ("It all happened in a few seconds; but they were seconds that seemed like hours") mirrors the adrenaline-fueled distortion of time in life-or-death moments.
Brotherhood and Sacrifice
- Tippet’s decision to turn back and fire at the bear (despite his reputation for caution) is a moment of heroic selflessness.
- The onlookers’ awe ("But, oh, how glorious!") suggests that such acts of bravery elevate a person beyond their usual perception.
Man vs. Nature (and Prehistory)
- The bear is a "behemoth of Holy Writ" (a biblical reference to monstrous creatures, like Behemoth in Job 40), reinforcing its mythic, almost supernatural threat.
- Its description ("six feet at the shoulder", "blood-mad") makes it a symbol of primordial terror, a relic of a lost world where humans are not the dominant species.
Literary Devices & Stylistic Choices
Vivid Imagery & Simile
- "Like a bolt of lightning" – The bear’s speed is compared to something unstoppable and deadly, heightening tension.
- "The speed of an express train" – Reinforces the inevitability of the bear’s attack, making Bradley’s escape seem impossible.
- "Mountain of blood-mad flesh and bone and sinew" – The grotesque, almost Lovecraftian description makes the bear a force of nature, not just an animal.
Pacing & Temporal Distortion
- The scene unfolds in real-time urgency, with short, punchy sentences ("They saw Tippet leap. They saw him run. They saw him glance back.").
- The stretching of seconds into hours ("seconds that seemed like hours") mimics the subjective experience of danger, a common technique in adventure and horror writing.
Dramatic Irony & Suspense
- The readers (and the men in the trees) know Tippet’s rifle is likely ineffective ("little pop-gun"), making his charge both heroic and seemingly futile.
- The uncertainty of Bradley’s survival ("Would Bradley make it? It seemed scarce possible.") keeps the reader engaged.
Characterization Through Action
- Bradley’s taunting and strategic retreat show his quick thinking and defiance of fear.
- Tippet’s sudden bravery subverts expectations, proving that courage isn’t just about personality but circumstance.
- The collective gasp of the onlookers ("James gasped at the thought") makes the moment communal, reinforcing the bond between the men.
Biblical & Mythic Allusions
- "Behemoth of Holy Writ" – Evokes the monstrous and divine, framing the bear as a test of faith or fate.
- The cave bear’s extinction (mentioned as "should have been extinct ages before") ties into the novel’s lost-world theme, where prehistory and modernity collide.
Significance of the Scene
Microcosm of the Novel’s Themes
- The struggle against a prehistoric beast mirrors the broader conflict in Out of Time’s Abyss, where humans fight for survival in a world that shouldn’t exist.
- The blurring of courage and caution reflects the novel’s evolutionary themes—are humans progressing or reverting?
Pulp Adventure at Its Finest
- Burroughs excels in high-stakes, physical action, and this scene is a masterclass in suspenseful prose.
- The clear good vs. evil (or man vs. beast) dynamic makes it accessible and thrilling, a hallmark of early 20th-century adventure fiction.
Humanity in Extreme Conditions
- The moment forces the characters (and readers) to ask: What would I do?
- Tippet’s unexpected heroism suggests that true character is revealed under pressure.
Legacy in Adventure Writing
- This kind of primordial combat influenced later works like King Kong (1933), Jurassic Park (1990), and even The Revenant (2015).
- Burroughs’ blend of science, myth, and action set a template for lost-world and survival narratives.
Final Analysis: Why This Excerpt Works
The passage is a perfect storm of tension, character, and primal fear. Burroughs doesn’t just describe a bear attack—he immerses the reader in the terror, the split-second decisions, and the moral weight of survival. The contrast between Bradley’s bravado and Tippet’s quiet heroism makes the scene emotionally resonant, while the mythic descriptions of the bear elevate it beyond a simple chase.
In the end, it’s not just about whether Bradley escapes, but about what the men learn about themselves and each other in those few, stretched seconds. That’s what makes it more than pulp—it’s a snapshot of humanity facing the abyss of time itself.
Questions
Question 1
The narrative’s portrayal of Tippet’s intervention most strongly suggests that his decision to turn back and confront the bear is motivated by:
A. a calculated assessment that his rifle, though small, could still inflict a critical wound if fired at close range.
B. an instinctive rejection of the group’s prior perception of him as overcautious, seeking to redefine his identity in their eyes.
C. a momentary lapse of rational judgment, overwhelmed by the adrenaline of the chase and the collective tension of the onlookers.
D. an unconscious emulation of Bradley’s defiant taunting, adopting the same confrontational strategy to provoke the bear’s focus away from his companion.
E. the recognition that Bradley’s survival is contingent upon an act of self-sacrifice, transcending his usual pragmatism in favor of an ethical imperative.
Question 2
The phrase "behemoth of Holy Writ" serves primarily to:
A. establish the bear’s physical dimensions as biblically proportioned, reinforcing its status as an anachronistic relic of a bygone era.
B. invoke a sense of divine retribution, framing the bear’s attack as a punishment for the men’s intrusion into a primordial landscape.
C. elevate the bear beyond a mere animal into a symbolic force—one that embodies the untamed, mythic violence of nature itself.
D. contrast the men’s modern weaponry with the ancient, almost supernatural threat they face, underscoring their technological vulnerability.
E. signal the narrator’s ironic detachment, using grandiose language to mock the men’s exaggerated perceptions of danger.
Question 3
The onlookers’ reaction to Tippet’s charge—"How futile he and his little pop-gun appeared"—is most effectively read as:
A. a critique of the men’s underestimation of Tippet’s marksmanship, given that his intervention ultimately proves decisive.
B. an illustration of the gap between perception and reality in moments of crisis, where actions that seem irrational may carry unseen moral or strategic weight.
C. a narrative device to heighten suspense, emphasizing the apparent hopelessness of Tippet’s effort to magnify the stakes of the confrontation.
D. a reflection of the group’s collective bias against Tippet, revealing their inability to recognize courage unless it conforms to their preconceived notions of heroism.
E. foreshadowing of Tippet’s inevitable failure, reinforcing the passage’s theme of human insignificance in the face of primordial forces.
Question 4
The temporal distortion in "seconds that seemed like hours" functions most critically to:
A. mimic the psychological experience of trauma, where time dilates under extreme stress, aligning the reader’s perception with that of the characters.
B. slow the narrative pace to allow for a detailed inventory of the men’s individual reactions, deepening the reader’s emotional investment in the outcome.
C. emphasize the inefficacy of human reflexes when pitted against the bear’s preternatural speed, underscoring the futility of their struggle.
D. create a cinematic effect, stretching the moment to maximize dramatic tension in a manner reminiscent of serial adventure storytelling.
E. expose the fragility of human cognition under duress, where the mind’s attempt to process the unimaginable warps the very fabric of perceived time.
Question 5
The passage’s structural emphasis on the collective gaze of the onlookers ("They saw Tippet leap... They saw him run...") primarily serves to:
A. decentralize the narrative focus, distributing agency among the group to counteract the individual heroism of Bradley and Tippet.
B. implicate the reader in the voyeuristic thrill of the chase, blurring the line between observer and participant in the unfolding violence.
C. transform the confrontation into a communal rite of passage, where the men’s shared witnessing binds them together in a moment of transcendent risk.
D. highlight the passivity of the group, contrasting their inaction with Tippet’s sudden bravery to critique the moral failings of bystanders.
E. fragment the narrative perspective, creating a cubist effect that mirrors the chaotic, disjointed nature of the men’s perceptions under stress.
Solutions and Explanations
1) Correct answer: E
Why E is most correct: The passage underscores Tippet’s deviation from his established cautious nature not as a tactical calculation (A), identity performance (B), adrenaline-induced impulsivity (C), or mimicry of Bradley (D), but as a moral response to an ethical imperative. The text emphasizes the glory of his act ("how glorious!") and frames it as a selfless intervention—one that prioritizes Bradley’s survival over his own safety. This aligns with E’s focus on transcending pragmatism in favor of a higher, sacrificial duty. The phrase "Tippet of all men!" further signals that his action defies expectation, suggesting a moral awakening rather than a strategic or psychological motive.
Why the distractors are less supported:
- A: The passage dismisses the rifle’s efficacy ("little pop-gun"), undermining the idea of a calculated assessment. Tippet’s charge is framed as heroic precisely because it seems futile.
- B: While Tippet’s reputation is noted, the text does not suggest he acts to redefine his identity. The focus is on the act’s inherent glory, not his self-image.
- C: The narrative treats Tippet’s decision as deliberate and courageous, not a lapse of judgment. The onlookers’ awe contradicts the idea of mindless impulsivity.
- D: Tippet does not taunt or provoke the bear; he fires while running toward it, a direct intervention rather than an emulation of Bradley’s defiance.
2) Correct answer: C
Why C is most correct: The phrase "behemoth of Holy Writ" is not merely descriptive (A) or moralistic (B), nor is it primarily about technological contrast (D) or narrator irony (E). Instead, it mythologizes the bear, casting it as a symbolic embodiment of nature’s raw, untamed violence. The biblical allusion elevates the creature beyond a biological threat into a primordial force, aligning with the passage’s themes of man confronting the abyss of prehistory. This interpretation is supported by the bear’s description as a "living engine of destruction"—language that transcends the literal.
Why the distractors are less supported:
- A: While the bear’s size is noted, the phrase’s power lies in its symbolic weight, not its physical dimensions.
- B: There is no suggestion of divine retribution; the bear is a force of nature, not punishment.
- D: The technological contrast is secondary to the bear’s mythic framing. The men’s weapons are mentioned, but the focus is on the bear’s symbolic threat.
- E: The narrator’s tone is not ironic; the grandeur of the language mirrors the men’s genuine awe.
3) Correct answer: B
Why B is most correct: The onlookers’ dismissal of Tippet’s charge as "futile" highlights the disjunction between appearance and reality in moments of crisis. The passage emphasizes that what seems irrational (a cautious man charging a bear with a "pop-gun") may carry unseen moral or strategic weight—here, the weight of self-sacrifice. This aligns with B’s focus on the gap between perception and the underlying significance of actions under duress. The men’s initial skepticism makes Tippet’s heroism more profound, reinforcing the theme that true courage defies expectation.
Why the distractors are less supported:
- A: The text does not confirm the rifle’s decisiveness; the emphasis is on the act itself, not its outcome.
- C: While suspense is heightened, the primary effect is to expose the limitations of the onlookers’ judgment, not just to magnify stakes.
- D: The group’s bias is noted, but the passage does not critique their inability to recognize courage—rather, it shows them witnessing its unexpected emergence.
- E: The passage does not foreshadow failure; it celebrates the glory of the attempt, regardless of efficacy.
4) Correct answer: E
Why E is most correct: The temporal distortion is not merely a psychological mimicry (A), pacing device (B), or cinematic trick (D), nor does it emphasize human inefficacy (C). Instead, it exposes the cognitive fragility of the men under extreme stress—their minds warp time itself in an attempt to process the unimaginable. This aligns with E’s focus on the breakdown of perception when confronted with primordial terror. The passage’s language ("seemed like hours") suggests a subjective unraveling of time, a hallmark of trauma and existential threat.
Why the distractors are less supported:
- A: While psychological realism is achieved, the deeper effect is to reveal the limits of human cognition, not just to mimic stress.
- B: The pacing is secondary to the philosophical implication—that time itself becomes malleable under duress.
- C: The bear’s speed is noted, but the distortion serves a metaphysical purpose, not a commentary on futility.
- D: The effect transcends mere dramatic tension; it interrogates the nature of perceived reality in crisis.
5) Correct answer: C
Why C is most correct: The repetitive "They saw..." structure does not primarily decentralize agency (A), implicate the reader (B), or critique passivity (D), nor is it a cubist fragmentation (E). Instead, it collectivizes the experience, transforming the confrontation into a shared rite of passage. The men’s unified witnessing binds them in a moment of transcendent risk, where individual survival becomes secondary to the communal confrontation with mortality. This aligns with C’s emphasis on the ritualistic, bonding power of shared peril.
Why the distractors are less supported:
- A: Agency remains with Bradley and Tippet; the collective gaze enhances their heroism, not decentralizes it.
- B: The passage does not blur the line between observer and participant; the onlookers are distinctly witnesses.
- D: The men’s inaction is not critiqued; their role as witnesses is affirmative, not moralizing.
- E: The perspective is unified, not fragmented; the effect is communal cohesion, not disorientation.