Compassionate Colonialism in Typee: a Peep at Polynesian Life

Herman Melville’s Typee: A Peep at Polynesian Life serves as a fascinating narrative that simultaneously critiques the imperialist mindset prevalent in the 19th century. Through the lens of the protagonist Tommo, Melville offers readers a glimpse into Polynesian life, all while attempting to challenge the prevailing notions of colonial superiority. However, Melville’s approach reveals a complex relationship with the very imperialistic attitudes he seeks to critique, leading to a portrayal of what can be termed “compassionate colonialism.” This essay explores how Melville's narrative embodies this paradox, examining the ways in which it both critiques and reinforces colonialist ideologies.

Contrasts Between Civilized and Primitive Life

Much of Melville’s anti-imperialist sentiment is articulated through critiques of European-American civilization. In the chapter titled “Civilized and Savage Life Contrasted,” Tommo reflects on the simplicity and joys of life among the Typee people. He asserts:

“In a primitive state of society, the enjoyments of life, though few and simple, are spread over a great extent, and are unalloyed; but Civilization, for every advantage she imparts, holds a hundred evils in reserve…” (124-5)

Here, Tommo suggests that the Typee culture possesses inherent value, primarily because it is free from the complications and pains associated with civilized life. He describes the existence of the Typee people as largely uninterrupted, filled with unadulterated pleasures, contrasting sharply with the burdens of civilization. This perspective, however, reveals a significant flaw. Tommo's arguments do not truly advocate for the indigenous peoples but rather serve as a critique of European-American society. By valuing Typee culture for what it lacks—capitalism, societal jealousy, and the like—Melville inadvertently reinforces the notion of European superiority. This comparison, rather than elevating the Typee people, relegates them to a status of inferiority, suggesting that they are worthy of admiration only because they are not like the civilized world.

Humanizing the Typee People

Melville also endeavors to humanize the Typee people by portraying familial relationships that resonate with his readers. Tommo observes the warmth and paternal care exhibited by Marheyo, the chief, and describes the industrious nature of Kory-Kory’s mother:

“Marheyo was a most paternal and warm-hearted fellow, and in this particular not a little resembled his son Kory-Kory...” (84)

In this passage, Melville attempts to bridge the gap between the Typee culture and his audience, illustrating shared values of family and domesticity. Nevertheless, these efforts are undermined by the very colonial attitudes that persist throughout the narrative. Tommo's outsider perspective inherently limits his understanding of the Typee culture, reducing it to a series of observations that often lack depth. His portrayal tends to emphasize a simplistic view of the Typee people, stripping them of their complexity and historical richness.

Symbolism of Civilization

Melville further complicates his narrative by employing symbols that suggest the superiority of his own civilization. An illustrative example occurs when Tommo describes the warrior Marheyo donning a pair of his old, moldy shoes as an ornament:

“The same afternoon I descried the venerable warrior approaching the house, with a slow, stately gait, ear-rings in ears, and spear in hand, with this highly ornamental pair of shoes suspended from his neck…” (146)

In this moment, Melville's tone carries an air of condescension, as Marheyo’s pride in the shoes serves to highlight the absurdity of the situation. This depiction reduces the warrior to a figure of ridicule, reinforcing the stereotype of the “childlike” native who lacks the discernment to reject something as impractical as moldy shoes. Such portrayals only serve to perpetuate the imperialist view of the indigenous peoples as naïve and inferior, undermining Melville's intentions to present the Typee culture in a more favorable light.

The Cannibalism Controversy

One of the most problematic aspects of Typee is Melville's focus on cannibalism, which ultimately detracts from his anti-colonial message. From the outset, Tommo expresses fears that the Typee people may be cannibals, and this fear culminates when he discovers severed human heads in Marheyo’s house:

“It was plain that I had seen the last relic of some unfortunate wretch, who must have been massacred on the beach by the savages…” (232-3)

In this moment, Melville's narrative takes a dramatic turn. The discovery of cannibalism negates any previously established admiration for the Typee culture, reducing them to the very savagery Tommo initially feared. Cannibalism becomes a definitive marker of their perceived barbarism, ultimately serving to validate the colonialist perspective that views indigenous cultures as inferior. Rather than facilitating a discussion about the savagery inherent in both civilized and uncivilized societies, Melville's invocation of cannibalism reaffirms the assumptions of his audience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Melville's Typee seeks to challenge colonialist assumptions, it ultimately falls short of its anti-colonial intentions. Through Tommo's narrative, Melville oscillates between admiration for the Typee culture and the reinforcement of imperialist ideologies. The contradictions present in his portrayal of the Typee people reflect a deeper struggle with the ethics of colonialism, leading to a depiction of what can be interpreted as “compassionate colonialism.” Ultimately, Melville’s work serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in narratives that seek to critique colonialism while simultaneously engaging in its rhetoric.

Works Cited

• Melville, Herman. Typee: A Peep at Polynesian Life. Ed. John Bryant. New York: Penguin Books, 1996.