Character Analysis
A minor chief, known for his possession of a single eye, Mow-Mow seems to be more aggressive and warlike than those around him. We first see him as he has returned from an off-screen skirmish with the Happar: "His cheek had been pierced by the point of a spear, and the wound imparted a still more frightful expression to his hideously tattooed face, already deformed by the loss of an eye" (32.2). Pretty picture, ain't it?
Later, he proves himself capable of deception. He gives Tommo permission to go to the sea, believing that, with his bum-leg, Tommo will be unable to get there. But Tommo does get there, (with the help of some more helpful Typee, and later with a crutch-spear). Wanting desperately to keep Tommo on the island (though why, we're not entirely sure, except that it has something to do with "taboo"), he swims behind the rowboat taking Tommo out to the ship.
Tommo sees "the athletic islander, with his tomahawk between his teeth" (34.27) coming towards him, and commits his only act of violence: thrashing a boat hook at Mow-Mow's neck until the chief withdraws.
The drama of this scene is somewhat abrupt, after so many pages of sweet island life. We're left to speculate: what has driven Mow-Mow to pursue Tommo? And what made Tommo so desperate that he felt he needed to attack him this way?