How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
[...] the devoutest Christian who visits that group with an unbiased mind, must go away mournfully asking—'Are these, alas! the fruits of twenty-five years of enlightening?' (17.6)
These are harsh words. Tommo's (read: Melville's) criticism of missionaries at the time caused quite a stir, in fact.
Quote #5
With this intent, he escorted me through the Taboo Groves, pointing out to my notice a variety of objects, and endeavoured to explain them in such an indescribable jargon of words, that it almost put me in bodily pain to listen to him. (22.13)
It makes you wonder how Tommo's view of the Typee religion might have changed, had they simply been able to talk to each other.
Quote #6
These venerable gentlemen, who I presume were the priests, kept up an uninterrupted monotonous chant, which was partly drowned in the roar of drums. (23.18)
Both "monotonous" and "drowned" have negative connotations for most of us. How do Tommo's simplest sensory descriptions reveal his attitudes toward religion in the valley?