Preface

In the Preface, the narrator notes that three years have passed since the events of the story occurred. Storytelling is a favorite pastime of many sailors, he explains, so he will strive to tell his story in this way. Although he admits that his knowledge of Polynesian history and culture is limited and he does not speak any Polynesian language, he assures readers that he is presenting the “unvarnished” truth about his experiences. Some of them may seem strange, he notes, and some of the story may not paint Christian missionaries in a good light, but the narrator trusts readers to make up their own minds about what happened.

Preface Summary

Chapter 1

The narrator works on a whaling ship named the Dolly, which spends six months “out of sight of land” (3). Onboard, the men are rapidly running out of food. All that remains is a single chicken. As the crews crave any sight of land, Captain Vangs charts a court for the Marquesas Islands. The captain hopes to reach these islands in a week. Europeans have reached many of the islands in the South Pacific, but the Marquesas are relatively unknown to Europeans at this time. Christian missionaries, known for their zealotry and willingness to go anywhere, have also avoided the Marquesas.

Chapter 1 Summary

Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Summary

Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Summary

Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Summary

Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Summary

Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Summary

Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Summary

Preface-Chapter 7

Preface-Chapter 7 Analysis

Genres

Action & Adventure

Literary Area of Study

American Literature

Values & Ideas

Books on Justice & Injustice

Historic & Literary Period

Colonialism & Postcolonialism

Society

Community

Emotions & Behavior

Fear

Safety & Danger

Trust & Doubt

Truth & Lies

Herman Melville

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Book Brief

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About Typee

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Overview

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Typee Summary and Study Guide

Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Typee Preface-Chapter 7 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 8-14

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Chapters 15-21

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Chapters 22-28

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Chapter 29-The Story of Toby

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Character Analysis

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Typee: A Peep at Polynesian Life

Preface-Chapter 7Chapter Summaries & Analyses

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