Typee · Chapter
XXXII explained
The narrator's despair deepens as he feels trapped in captivity, his illness returns, and he discovers three preserved human heads—including that of a white man—which horrifies him and raises fears of cannibalism.
What happens
The narrator's despair deepens as he feels trapped in captivity, his illness returns, and he discovers three preserved human heads—including that of a white man—which horrifies him and raises fears of cannibalism. He witnesses a second battle with the Happars and the triumphant return of warriors carrying the bodies of slain enemies, further intensifying his dread.
Themes in this chapter
Cannibalism and the Other
The narrator's discovery of preserved human heads and his subsequent fears of being devoured highlight the central anxiety about Typee cannibalism and the 'othering' of Polynesian practices.
Freedom and Captivity
The narrator's three-month confinement, inability to leave, and bitter feelings of captivity are emphasized, especially as his illness returns and escape seems impossible.
Taboo and Social Order
The secretive handling of the preserved heads and the warriors' ritualized display of enemy bodies reflect the social taboos and ordered customs surrounding death and warfare in Typee society.
Characters to notice
- Narrator
Suffers from worsening illness and psychological torment after discovering preserved human heads; fears cannibalism and his own fate.
- Kory-Kory
Devoted servant who refuses to show the narrator the contents of the mysterious packages and later urges him to leave the Ti during the warriors' return.
- Fayaway
Mentioned as still engaging and kind despite the narrator's growing misery.
- Mehevi
King remains gracious and condescending; walks beside the victorious warriors carrying a musket and a javelin.
- Marheyo
Attempts to restrain the narrator from seeing the contents of the packages.
- Karky
The tattoo artist whose earlier solicitations contributed to the narrator's wretchedness.
Key passages
“From the time of my casual encounter with Karky the artist, my life was one of absolute wretchedness.”
Ever since meeting the tattoo artist Karky, the narrator has been utterly miserable.
Sets the tone of despair for the chapter.
“I forced my way into the midst of the circle, and just caught a glimpse of three human heads, which others of the party were hurriedly enveloping in the coverings from which they had been taken.”
The narrator pushes through the crowd and briefly sees three human heads being wrapped up.
Key moment of discovery that triggers the narrator's horror.
“Gracious God! what dreadful thoughts entered my head; in solving this mystery perhaps I had solved another, and the fate of my lost companion might be revealed in the shocking spectacle I had just witnessed.”
The narrator fears that the white man's head might belong to his missing friend Toby.
Highlights the narrator's anxiety about Toby's fate.
“The excessive unwillingness betrayed by the Sandwich Islanders, even at the present day, to allude to the unhappy fate of Cook, has often been remarked.”
Hawaiians are still reluctant to discuss Captain Cook's death.
Provides historical context about Polynesian secrecy regarding cannibalism.