Some people might argue that there are no female characters in Typee. We'd let them have that opinion—it's certainly up for an interesting debate.
There's Fayaway, of course, applauded by Tommo for her shy grace, and Tinor, the busy housewife. And then there is sort of an atmosphere of women in the valley, those who cook poee-poee, weave tappa, and swim in the lake, teaching their infants to do the same.
It isn't that there aren't any women on the page. It's just that the way they're presented poses a lot of different kinds of questions, from the female role in Typee culture, to the attitude Tommo—a sailor who spends most of his time on a ship with men—has toward the fairer sex.
Questions About Women and Femininity
- Does Fayaway do anything that breaks the illusion of her as a romanticized fairy-type lass? If so, what are some examples?
- What is Tommo's attitude toward Tinor's housework?
- How do Mehevi and the other chiefs feel about the women of the tribe? How can you tell?
Chew on This
While Jimmy has supposedly "gone native," with wives in every tribe, his attitude toward women still feels very Western.
The role of Typee women is to serve. Hey, if that works for the Typee, cool.