How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
This gentle being had early attracted my regard, not only from her extraordinary beauty, but from the attractive cast of her countenance, singularly expressive of intelligence and humanity. [...] she alone seemed to appreciate the effect which the peculiarity of the circumstances in which we were placed had produced upon the minds of my companion and myself. (11.11)
Feeling understood is a tricky proposition, though, especially when you can't understand each other's languages.
Quote #2
To have seen them reclining beneath the shadows of one of the beautiful groves; the ground about them strewn with freshly gathered buds and blossoms, [...] one would have thought that all the train of Flora had gathered together to keep a festival in honour of their mistress. (17.19)
Yes, this seems like really legit festival wear.
Quote #3
Bathing in company with troops of girls formed one of my chief amusements. (18.1)
Hmm…do you think the girls were part of Tommo's amusement, or was it just the bathing?
Quote #4
[...] in the absence of the mermaids, the amusement became dull and insipid. (18.5)
Oh…yeah, never mind.
Quote #5
I not only wanted the canoe to stay where it was, but I wanted the beauteous Fayaway to get into it, and paddle with me about the lake. (18.5)
We think Fayaway could have a really bright future in the island tourism industry.
Quote #6
I was always accompanied in these excursions by Fayaway and the ever-present Kory-Kory. The former, as soon as we reached the vicinity of the Ti—which was rigorously tabooed to the whole female sex—withdrew to a neighbouring hut, as if her feminine delicacy 'restricted' her from approaching a habitation which might be regarded as a sort of Bachelor's Hall. (22.1)
What do you make of gender-restricted access—for boats, the Ti, and elsewhere in the valley? Tommo never really explains it because he can't really understand what they're saying.
Quote #7
[...] plurality of husbands, instead of wives! and this solitary fact speaks volumes for the gentle disposition of the male population. (26.8)
Do you think Tommo is being serious here? What might this say about the nature of the Typee men?
Quote #8
The religious restrictions of the taboo alone excepted, the women of the valley were allowed every possible indulgence. (27.10)
Well, that sounds nice, but can indulgences make up for limited freedom?
Quote #9
Nowhere are the ladies more assiduously courted; nowhere are they better appreciated as the contributors to our highest enjoyments; and nowhere are they more sensible of their power. (27.10)
Power is an interesting way to put it (for more, check out "Themes: Power"). What kinds of power does the Typee woman hold, in her culture?
Quote #10
Like so many spoiled beauties, they ranged through the groves—bathed in the stream—danced—flirted—played all manner of mischievous pranks, and passed their days in one merry round of thoughtless happiness. (27.11)
Does the choice of "thoughtless happiness" teach us anything about who Tommo is, and how his mind operates?