You could argue that most of the mean or ignorant statements that the characters have to share seem at first to have to do with race. But to stop at that would be to simplify something that's a lot more complicated.
What happens when one group of people, used to living in a certain social tradition and history, end up interacting with a group of people used to living in an entirely different social tradition and history? We're talking about values, religion, customs, preferences—the whole nine yards. Now add in people on both sides who are totally sure they're the ones who are living in the right way. Yeah, that's when modern readers tend to do a little wincing.
Questions About Prejudice
- What are some examples of unfair conclusions and judgments Tommo makes about the Typee?
- What role do you think not sharing a language has in the prejudices Tommo shares?
- Jimmy has chosen to live on the island, and has native wives, but does he show any signs or prejudice against the locals?
- Did you feel uncomfortable reading about anything characters in the book regard as totally normal? Why or why not?
Chew on This
Because Tommo is being held captive, he is judging the Typee more harshly than he would otherwise.
In "holding on" to Toby and Tommo, the Typee are expressing that the sailors are better off living the valley way of life.