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I don't think ERB was referring to Blacks as "inhuman monsters", but was referencing this particular tribe of cannibals. As mentioned by other posters, if you continue to read the series, you see that ERB counterbalances this portrayal in the sequel, in which Tarzan becomes blood brothers and war chief in the Waziri tribe, who displayed the most noble characteristics of primitive man.<br>I don't think it's correct to say that American society as a whole thought of Blacks as "inhuman monsters", either, an inflammatory phrase inaccurately applied. Certainly, most Caucasians at that time thought of Blacks as inferior, but not "monsters" (except maybe for rapists, criminals, or other deviants).