Typee · Chapter
XXIX explained
The narrator provides a detailed natural history of the Typee valley, describing the tameness of birds and lizards, the annoyance of flies, the presence of dogs and a mysterious cat, the idyllic climate, and the remarkable methods used by t
What happens
The narrator provides a detailed natural history of the Typee valley, describing the tameness of birds and lizards, the annoyance of flies, the presence of dogs and a mysterious cat, the idyllic climate, and the remarkable methods used by the natives to climb coconut trees. He recounts the agile climbing of a young chief named Narnee and the fearless climbing of children.
Themes in this chapter
Civilization vs. Nature
The narrator contrasts the introduced animals (dogs, cat, mosquitoes) with the native wildlife, highlighting the disruption of natural harmony by European contact.
The Idealized Primitive
The narrator idealizes the tameness of the birds and lizards and the harmonious climate, presenting the valley as a pristine, unspoiled paradise.
Characters to notice
- Narrator
Describes the natural history of the valley and his personal reactions to the animals and climate.
- Mehevi
The benevolent king who refuses the narrator's suggestion of a canine crusade, citing that the dogs are 'taboo'.
- Naranee
A noble young chief who performs an elaborate climbing feat to pluck young coconuts for the narrator's gratification.
Key passages
“Dogs!—Big hairless rats rather; all with smooth, shining speckled hides—fat sides, and very disagreeable faces.”
The dogs in the valley looked more like large, hairless rats with shiny spotted skin, fat bodies, and unpleasant expressions.
The narrator expresses his disdain for the dogs, which he considers ugly and out of place.
“I am one of those unfortunate persons to whom the sight of these animals is at any time an insufferable annoyance.”
I am someone who finds the mere sight of cats unbearably irritating.
The narrator explains his strong aversion to cats, which made the appearance of a black cat particularly distressing.
“Its tameness, far from shocking me, as a similar occurrence did Selkirk, imparted to me the most exquisite thrill of delight I ever experienced.”
Unlike Alexander Selkirk, who was startled by a tame bird, I felt an intense joy from the bird's trust.
The narrator contrasts his positive reaction to the bird's tameness with Selkirk's fear, emphasizing his appreciation for the valley's wildlife.
“He will perch upon one of your eyelashes, and go to roost there if you do not disturb him, or force his way through your hair, or along the cavity of the nostril, till you almost fancy he is resolved to explore the very brain itself.”
The fly will land on your eyelash and stay there if left alone, or crawl through your hair and into your nostril, making you think it intends to reach your brain.
The narrator describes the extreme tameness and intrusiveness of the valley's flies.
“Some half-dozen darted into the open apartment, and began walking about its ceiling; the sensation was dreadful.”
About six flies flew into my open mouth and started moving around on the roof of my mouth, which felt horrible.
The narrator recounts an unpleasant experience when flies entered his mouth while he yawned.
“There are no wild animals of any kind on the island unless it be decided that the natives themselves are such.”
The island has no wild animals, unless one considers the native people to be wild.
The narrator makes a wry observation about the absence of dangerous wildlife, playfully suggesting the natives might be the exception.