The Return of Tarzan (1913) continues the story of John Clayton, Lord Greystoke—better known as Tarzan—after he leaves the African jungle to live among civilized society in Europe. Despite his noble title and education, Tarzan feels alienated and disillusioned by the hypocrisy and deceit he encounters. Heartbroken when Jane Porter marries another man, he seeks a new purpose and joins the French secret service. During his missions in Algeria and the Sahara, Tarzan demonstrates his courage and sense of honor, surviving treachery, duels, and desert dangers. Fate brings him back to Africa, where he becomes the leader of the Waziri tribe and rediscovers his natural strength and connection to the wild. Meanwhile, Jane's expedition to Africa ends in disaster when her ship is attacked, leaving her stranded near Tarzan's territory. The two are dramatically reunited after Tarzan rescues her from danger and confronts villains seeking the hidden treasure of Opar, a lost city ruled by the mysterious priestess La, who loves him. By the novel's end, Tarzan's identity as both man and jungle hero is fully reconciled. He wins back Jane's love, embraces his dual heritage, and claims his rightful place as Lord Greystoke.

Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875–1950) was an American novelist and pioneer of pulp adventure fiction. Creator of Tarzan and John Carter of Mars, he blended romance, action, and imaginative settings. His enduring characters influenced adventure literature, film, and comics, securing his legacy as a cornerstone of popular fiction.