# Tararo — The Coral Island character guide

> Tararo in The Coral Island by R. M. Ballantyne.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0024-xxiii

## Snapshot

A powerful Fijian chief who keeps Avatea as a daughter and a bargaining chip, his dark frowns revealing a will accustomed to being obeyed.

## Who they are

Tararo rules his island with the easy authority of a man who has never been refused, and his anger at Avatea's stubbornness is the anger of a chief whose word has been publicly thwarted. He is neither cartoon villain nor friend—he took the Samoan girl in war and raised her, yet threatens to send her to a rival as a 'long pig' if she won't marry. His refusal to bend is what forces the boys and Bill into the story's most dangerous gamble.

## Relationships

### [Jack Martin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/characters/jack_martin)

_rivalry_

Jack and Tararo are adversaries, with Tararo as a hostile island chief opposing Jack and his friends.

### [Avatea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/characters/avatea)

_family_

Avatea is Tararo's daughter, bound by familial duty but often in conflict due to Tararo's harsh treatment.

### [Peterkin Gay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/characters/peterkin_gay)

_rivalry_

Peterkin and Tararo are adversaries, with Peterkin opposing Tararo's hostile actions toward the castaways.

### [Jack Martin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/characters/jack_martin)

_rivalry_

Jack and Tararo are adversaries, with Tararo as a hostile island chief opposing Jack and his friends.

### [Peterkin Gay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/characters/peterkin_gay)

_rivalry_

Peterkin and Tararo are adversaries, with Peterkin opposing Tararo's hostile actions toward the castaways.

### [Jack Martin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/characters/jack_martin)

_rivalry_

Jack and Tararo are adversaries, with Tararo as a hostile island chief opposing Jack and his friends.

## In the story

### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/xx)

The chief who communicates his name and accepts gifts from the boys.

### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/xxv)

Recognized by Ralph during the surf-swimming display; greets him.

### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/xxix)

Mentioned as the chief who intends to make Avatea a 'long pig'; Jack expresses regret for not breaking his head.

### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/xxxi)

The heathen chief who is too busy with religious ceremonies to come on board; the boys seek to negotiate with him for Avatea.

### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/xxxii)

The chief who refuses to release Avatea and later presents her as a sacrifice, but spares Jack's life.

### [The Flight – The Pursuit – Despair and its Results – The Lion Bearded in his Den Again – Awful Danger Threatened and Wonderfully Averted – A Terrific Storm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/xxxiii)

The chief who condemns the boys to death after their failed escape attempt.

### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/xxxiv)

Chief who converts to Christianity and grants the boys their freedom.

### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/xxxv)

Converted to Christianity and persuaded his people to do likewise.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/characters/tararo
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/characters