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Typee · Character

Herman Melville

The author, referenced in the introduction and framing material.

minor

Also known as Melville, Mr. Melville, Herman

First appearance: Introduction to the Edition of 1892

Herman Melville's tie to Narrator is one of the pressures that moves Typee—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

The author whose life and works are the subject of this introduction; his sailing on the Acushnet and desertion at the Marquesas are described.
In the storyIntroduction to the Edition of 1892Open this moment free

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With Narrator (psychological): Herman Melville is the author who writes the narrator's story, creating a meta-fictional relationship with his protagonist. In Introduction to the Edition of 1892: The author whose life…

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Character Web

6 connections

A slice of how Herman Melville sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

GMGansevoort Mel…MAMarheyoNANarratorPOPopAMAllan MelvilleHMHerman Melville

Relationship types

  • Psychological
  • Other

Character groups

  • External Figures and Historical References
  • Core Typee Valley Characters
  • Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

SetupEscalationClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

This is the dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak of Tommo’s despair: his last…

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Relationships

Relationship notes

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See Herman Melville in Introduction to the Edition of 1892

In the story

Herman Melville appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

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See Herman Melville in Introduction to the Edition of 1892