Typee · Chapter
XIII explained
The narrator, still lame, proposes that Toby attempt to reach Nukuheva for medicine and rescue.
What happens
The narrator, still lame, proposes that Toby attempt to reach Nukuheva for medicine and rescue. Despite native opposition, Toby departs with Marheyo. Later, Toby is brought back apparently lifeless, having fallen in the Happar mountains. He revives and recounts his perilous adventure. Kory-Kory delivers a passionate speech extolling the virtues of the Typees and warning against the cannibal Happars.
Themes in this chapter
Freedom and Captivity
The narrator's lameness and the natives' opposition to Toby's departure highlight the tension between the desire to escape and the constraints of their situation.
Cannibalism and the Other
Kory-Kory's warnings about the Happars' cannibal practices reinforce the theme of 'the other' and the narrator's own fears.
Cultural Relativism
The narrator contrasts the Typees' gentle hospitality with their reputation as cannibals, questioning moral judgments.
Characters to notice
- Narrator
Lame and anxious, proposes Toby's mission; tends to Toby after his accident.
- Toby
Reluctantly agrees to go to Nukuheva; suffers a near-fatal fall in the Happar mountains.
- Kory-Kory
Vehemently opposes Toby's departure; delivers an elaborate oration praising the Typees and denouncing the Happars.
- Marheyo
Prepares coconuts for Toby's journey and guides him part of the way.
- Tinor
Brings herbal simples to treat Toby's wound.
Key passages
“Why, they are cannibals! said Toby on one occasion when I eulogized the tribe. Granted, I replied, but a more humane, gentlemanly and amiable set of epicures do not probably exist in the Pacific.”
When I praised the Typees, Toby reminded me they were cannibals. I conceded the point but insisted they were the most civilized and pleasant eaters in the Pacific.
Highlights the narrator's conflicted view of the Typees as both gentle and dangerous.
“Happar keekeeno nuee, he exclaimed, nuee, nuee, ki ki kannaka!—ah! owle motarkee! which signifies, Terrible fellows those Happars!—devour an amazing quantity of men!—ah, shocking bad!”
Kory-Kory warned that the Happars were dreadful people who ate many men.
Kory-Kory uses exaggerated gestures and simple language to frighten the narrator about the neighboring tribe.
“Ah! Typee mortakee!—nuee, nuee mioree—nuee, nuee wai—nuee, nuee poee-poee—nuee, nuee kokoo—ah! nuee, nuee ki-ki—ah! nuee, nuee, nuee!”
Kory-Kory extolled the Typee valley as a wonderful place with abundant breadfruit, water, pudding, and everything else.
Contrasts the plenty of the Typees with the danger of the Happars, reinforcing the tribe's superiority.