KEY LITERARY ELEMENTS

Settings

The novel Typee is set in the Typee Valley, in the Polynesian island of Marquesas. When the novel begins, the ship on which Tommo, the principal character is aboard, has just harbored at the Nukuheva Bay. The setting moves on to the deep valley of Typee, where the Typee tribals dwell, and where Tommo and his friend Toby ultimately travel.

The entire novel revolves around this setting and the valley is described in all its details. Tommo and Toby learn about TypeeÂ’s natural history, the vegetation, the animals and creatures inhabiting this valley, as well as its climate and crop. The beauty and splendor of its mountains, waterfalls and deep forests has been picturesquely described until the reader is visually able to comprehend its magnificence.

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