# Marheyo — Typee character guide

> Marheyo in Typee by Herman Melville.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** old Marheyo, the venerable Marheyo, Old Marheyo

**First appearance:** 0011-ix

## Snapshot

The elderly Typee householder who takes the narrator in, a quiet domestic presence whose kindness is as steady as it is unremarked.

## Who they are

Marheyo shares his home with the narrator and, in his undemanding way, becomes one of the few figures in the valley who asks nothing of him. He is old, unhurried, and largely content to let the younger men and the chiefs shape events around him. His household is the narrator's first real taste of Typee domestic life, and through him the valley becomes a place of ordinary routines rather than only of danger.

## Relationships

### [Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/characters/narrator)

_friendship_

Marheyo is the elderly patriarch of the household who treats the narrator with paternal kindness and hospitality.

## In the story

### [Typee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/typee)

An elder of the Typee tribe who provides shelter and care for Tommo during his stay.

### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xii)

Mentioned as the host at his domicile, doing the honors with hospitality.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xiii)

Prepares coconuts for Toby's journey and guides him part of the way.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xiv)

Mentioned as the head of the household where the narrator resides.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xv)

Marheyo goes to the seashore to collect rare seaweed for the narrator and prepares it with great ostentation.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xvi)

Brings a tattered strip of calico for the narrator to mend; later dons it proudly and leaves like a valiant Templar.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xvii)

His habitation is situated at the head of the vale, mentioned as part of the narrator's surroundings.

### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xviii)

Rushes in excitedly to announce the arrival of Marnoo.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xix)

Shows a strange conceit by requesting and wearing the narrator's old shoes as ornaments.

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

Engages in building a hut and exhibits eccentric behavior.

### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xxi)

Frequently fetches water from the spring of Arva Wai, showing his fondness for it.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xxii)

Seen preparing for the festival by arranging his hair and polishing his earrings and spear.

### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xxvi)

Noted as having a nuptial understanding with Tinor, though another man takes liberties with her.

### [The Social Condition and General Character of the Typees](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xxvii)

Mentioned as prizing a carved spear, used as an example of personal property.

### [Fishing Parties and Midnight Banquets](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xxviii)

Receives his share of the fish and prepares a midnight banquet.

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

His domestic establishment is the setting for the nightly chanting custom.

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

Attempts to restrain the narrator from seeing the contents of the packages.

### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xxxiii)

Shows deep sympathy for the narrator, pausing his work to fan him and gaze at him.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/characters/marheyo
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/characters