Typee: A Peep at Polynesian Life

The entire community treats Tommo well, but he notices that those in Marheyo’s household are particularly kind to him. One day, Marheyo himself prepares a large salad made from seafood. Tommo does not like the taste of the salad but forces himself to eat it all to be polite. The mashed breadfruit dish, known as poee-poee, is a local favorite, and he gives a long description of how it is made.

Since Toby’s departure, Tommo has felt “the profoundest melancholy” (118). He has no real company, and the pain in his leg persists. Increasingly, he feels as though he is genuinely trapped in the village. Tommo visits the Ti with the chiefs. They hear a rumor that a ship has appeared in the bay. Tommo is thrilled, hoping that Toby might be aboard. Mehevi notices Tommo’s happiness, and his own expression turns more severe. Despite his injury, Tommo tries to walk out of the Ti. He wants to see if he can spot Toby. Mehevi instructs him to sit down. Kory-Kory tries to calm Tommo by bringing him a plate of food and a tobacco pipe. Tommo, however, now recognizes that he is completely trapped with the Typees, powerless to escape, and begins to integrate into the local culture.