# XVII explained — Typee

> Chapter companion for Typee by Herman Melville.

## What happens

The narrator's health and spirits improve as he becomes more accustomed to life among the Typees. He reflects on the happiness of the islanders compared to the miseries of civilized society, arguing that the 'savage' enjoys a purer, more contented existence. He criticizes the hypocrisy of civilized nations, particularly regarding cruelty and punishment, and contrasts the peace of Typee with the violence of the outside world. The chapter ends with a skirmish between the Typees and the warriors of Happar, breaking the valley's tranquility.

## Themes in this chapter

### Civilization vs. Nature

The narrator contrasts the natural happiness of the Typees with the artificial miseries of civilized life, arguing that nature provides a purer existence.

### Cultural Relativism

The narrator questions the moral superiority of civilized societies, comparing cannibalism to European executions and criticizing the term 'savage' as misapplied.

### Colonialism and Its Effects

The narrator references the devastating impact of missionaries and colonization on the Hawaiian islands, implying that civilization brings more harm than good.

## Character check-ins

### Narrator

Experiences improved health and spirits, reflects on the happiness of the Typees, and contrasts their life with civilized society.

### Kory-Kory

Serves the narrator devotedly, providing constant service and companionship.

### Marheyo

His habitation is situated at the head of the vale, mentioned as part of the narrator's surroundings.

### Mehevi

Implied as a chief among the Typees, though not directly named in this chapter.

## Key lines

> I thought that, for a sojourn among cannibals, no man could have well made a more agreeable one.

The narrator finds his stay among the Typees surprisingly pleasant despite their reputation as cannibals.

_Highlights the narrator's growing comfort and the irony of his situation._

> The term 'Savage' is, I conceive, often misapplied, and indeed, when I consider the vices, cruelties, and enormities of every kind that spring up in the tainted atmosphere of a feverish civilization, I am inclined to think that so far as the relative wickedness of the parties is concerned, four or five Marquesan Islanders sent to the United States as Missionaries might be quite as useful as an equal number of Americans despatched to the Islands in a similar capacity.

The narrator argues that the label 'savage' is unfair, as civilized societies commit far greater cruelties, and suggests that Marquesans could be more effective missionaries in America than Americans in the islands.

_A key critique of colonial and missionary hypocrisy._

> All was mirth, fun and high good humour. Blue devils, hypochondria, and doleful dumps, went and hid themselves among the nooks and crannies of the rocks.

The valley of Typee is depicted as a place of constant joy, free from the melancholy and anxieties of civilized life.

_Emphasizes the idealized happiness of the Typees._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/typee_se/chapters/xvii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/typee_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/typee_se/chapters