Typee

Typee, first novel by Herman Melville, published in London in 1846 as Narrative of a Four Months’ Residence Among the Natives of a Valley of the Marquesas Islands. Initially regarded as a travel narrative, the novel is based on Melville’s monthlong adventure as a guest-captive of the Typee people, natives of the Marquesas Islands (in present-day French Polynesia), following his desertion from the whaler Acushnet along with shipmate Richard Tobias Greene in July 1842. Melville injured his leg in the escape from the Acushnet, and Greene was allowed to leave the Typees to find Melville a doctor, but he became sidetracked and never returned. Shortly thereafter, Melville was rescued by the Australian whaler Lucy Ann.

Typee is an anthropological study of an exotic and savage native culture that both impressed and frightened Melville (the Typees were allegedly cannibals). The protagonist of the novel, Tom (also known as Tommo), spends four months with his companion, Toby, in a Polynesian island paradise as prisoners of the Typees. Tom’s opportunities for escape are limited by his disease-swollen leg and by his personal jailer-servant, the devoted Kory-Kory. He befriends several natives, notably the beautiful Fayaway. Tom is intrigued by their social and religious customs, but he is also disgusted by their indolence and cannibalism. Ultimately, he chooses “civilization” over idyllic island life.