# Narrator — Typee character guide > Narrator in Typee by Herman Melville. **Role:** major **Also known as:** me, I, myself **First appearance:** 0003-i ## Snapshot A restless sailor who jumps ship in the Marquesas and trades the forecastle for a valley of tattooed strangers, where every kindness may conceal a knife. ## Who they are He narrates his own flight from the whaler Dolly into the Typee valley, where curiosity and dread pull against each other in nearly every observation he makes. He is by turns an eager ethnographer, a queasy guest, and a man quietly terrified that he will never leave. His running argument with himself — is this paradise or a trap? — gives the book its central tension and its most unsettled voice. ## Relationships ### [Toby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/characters/toby) _friendship_ The narrator and Toby are close companions and fellow adventurers who rely on each other for survival in the Typee valley. ### [Kory-Kory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/characters/kory_kory) _friendship_ Kory-Kory serves as the narrator's devoted attendant and guide, showing constant care and loyalty. ### [Marnoo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/characters/marnoo) _friendship_ Marnoo is a charismatic native who acts as an intermediary and friend to the narrator, offering hope of escape. ### [Marheyo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/characters/marheyo) _friendship_ Marheyo is the elderly patriarch of the household who treats the narrator with paternal kindness and hospitality. ### [Fayaway](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/characters/fayaway) _romantic_ Fayaway is a beautiful native woman who develops a tender, romantic bond with the narrator during his stay. ### [Pueearka Kanaka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/characters/pueearka_kanaka) _social_ Pueearka Kanaka is a fellow sailor and acquaintance encountered during the narrator's travels. ### [Allan Melville](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/characters/allan_melville) _family_ Allan Melville is the narrator's brother, referenced in the context of family background and correspondence. ### [Karakoee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/characters/karakoee) _friendship_ Karakoee is a native who assists the narrator and acts as a helpful intermediary with the Typee people. ### [Narmonee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/characters/narmonee) _social_ Narmonee is a minor native character who interacts with the narrator in the village setting. ### [Kolory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/characters/kolory) _social_ Kolory is a Typee islander who appears in the narrative as part of the community around the narrator. ### [Karky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/characters/karky) _social_ Karky is a native tattoo artist who interacts with the narrator, representing local customs. ### [Moa Artua](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/characters/moa_artua) _social_ Moa Artua is a native chief or notable figure who interacts with the narrator during his stay. ## In the story ### [Typee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/typee) The protagonist who deserts the ship and is captured by the Typees, experiencing both wonder and horror at their way of life. ### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/i) Describes his longing for land and the ship's condition. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/ii) Describes the voyage, the arrival at Nukuheva, and his amazement at the swimming girls and the taboo. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/iii) The narrator recounts the French occupation and reflects critically on colonial violence. ### [State of Affairs Aboard the Ship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/iv) Resolves to leave the ship and reflects on the captain's abuses and the dangers of the Typees. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/v) Resolves to escape, plans route, and recruits Toby. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/vi) The narrator, along with Toby, orchestrates the escape into the mountains, packing provisions and concealing their plan from the crew. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/vii) Describes his disappointment at the landscape, his regret over not bringing more food, and his awe upon discovering the valley. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/viii) Suffers from fever, thirst, lameness, and faintness due to meager diet; opposes descending into Typee valley out of fear. ### [Perilous Passage of the Ravine—Descent into the Valley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/ix) Describes his physical suffering, fear, and reliance on Toby during the descent. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/x) Describes the cautious advance into the valley, the discovery of fruit, and the reception by the natives. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xi) Lies awake in pain and fear, reflecting on their situation in Typee valley. ### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xii) Describes his first bath, his journey on Kory-Kory's back, and his fearful reaction to the night's events. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xiii) Lame and anxious, proposes Toby's mission; tends to Toby after his accident. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xiv) Still ill and melancholy, he becomes hopeful at news of boats but is prevented from leaving; he anxiously awaits Toby's return. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xv) The narrator is the recipient of the islanders' hospitality and describes his experiences with their food preparations. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xvi) Overwhelmed by despair upon realizing he is a captive; suffers from a mysterious leg disease; adopts Typee costume and tries to make himself useful. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xvii) Experiences improved health and spirits, reflects on the happiness of the Typees, and contrasts their life with civilized society. ### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xviii) Enjoys improved health, swims with the girls, negotiates with Mehevi to lift the taboo for Fayaway, and makes her a dress. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xix) Reflects on his captivity and resolves to appear reconciled to his situation. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xx) Describes his daily routine and interactions in the valley. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xxi) Describes the spring of Arva Wai and discovers ancient stone terraces, reflecting on their origins and the island's history. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xxii) Observes the festival preparations, visits Mehevi at the Ti, and dresses in native costume to join the celebration. ### [The Feast of Calabashes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xxiii) The narrator observes the Feast of Calabashes, describes the rituals and customs, and attempts to understand the meaning of the events through Kory-Kory. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xxiv) Reflects on the religious beliefs and practices of the Typees, describing the mausoleum and his conversations with Kory-Kory. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xxv) Observes and reflects on the physical beauty, health, and customs of the Typees, comparing them to civilized societies. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xxvi) Observes and reflects on Typee marriage, population, burial practices, and the impact of civilization. ### [The Social Condition and General Character of the Typees](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xxvii) Observes and analyzes Typee social structure, gender roles, and the absence of formal law. ### [Fishing Parties and Midnight Banquets](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xxviii) Observes and participates in the fishing distribution and midnight banquet; recounts his adaptation to eating raw fish. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xxix) Describes the natural history of the valley and his personal reactions to the animals and climate. ### [Taboo and Tattooing: The Sacred and the Profane in Typee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xxx) Describes his accidental violation of the taboo by touching sacred tappa, and his narrow escape from being tattooed. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xxxi) Describes Typee customs, sings for Mehevi, performs mock fights, observes infant swimming and hair care rituals. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xxxii) Suffers from worsening illness and psychological torment after discovering preserved human heads; fears cannibalism and his own fate. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xxxiii) Desperate to escape, he devises a nighttime plan but fails due to constant surveillance. ### [The Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/xxxiv) The narrator, weakened and desperate, experiences a false hope of Toby's return and ultimately escapes the valley via a French boat. ### [The Story of Toby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/chapters/the-story-of-toby) The narrator is the one Toby tries to rescue; he is left behind in the Typee valley and later reunites with Toby. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/characters/narrator - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/typee_se/characters