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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where do the Typees live?

2. How long has it been since the narrator saw land, when the book opens?

3. What does Toby tell Tommo about the natives?

4. What name do the natives give Tom?

5. What do the French want to demonstrate to the natives at Nukuheva?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Tommo see as his ship comes into Nukuheva bay?

2. What are the Ti and the Hoolah Hoolah grounds?

3. What signs of civilization do Toby and Tommo see from the mountains?

4. What do Toby and Tommo do when they can no longer descend the cliff by using vines and foot holds?

5. Describe the incident with the French and the English missionaries.

6. Describe Tommo's companion Toby.

7. Describe Fayaway's appearance.

8. What signs of native activity do Toby and Tommo see, and how do they ultimately meet the natives?

9. What communication do Toby and Tommo exchange with the natives?

10. What plans do Toby and Tommo make for escape?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a review of "Typee". What did the book set out to do, how did it set out to do it, and did it fulfill the promises it laid out in the opening chapters? How would you characterize the essence of this book? Melville's personality? Melville's literary interests and talents?

Essay Topic 2

What is the significance of fruit trees to Toby and Tommo? How is easily harvested fruit a change from what they have experienced? How is the idea of "fruit ripe for the picking" played out in the novel? How is it different from what Toby and Tommo ultimately find? What happens to their image of an easy life as their adventure proceeds?

Essay Topic 3

After arranging his escape, Tommo is largely passive, ostensibly because of his leg, but possibly because of his personality. In what ways does Tommo act, and how do his actions change over the course of the book? E.g. in the beginning of the book, he is plotting to escape from the ship, in the end he is plotting to escape from Typee. How are these actions similar or different?

(see the answer keys)

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