Omoo: A Narrative of Adventures in the South Seas: Analysis of Major Characters
"Omoo: A Narrative of Adventures in the South Seas" is a novel by Herman Melville that recounts the experiences of an American sailor who finds himself entangled in adventures throughout the South Seas. The protagonist, Melville, is initially rescued from a cannibal island by the crew of a British whaler named the Julia but faces challenges onboard due to a leg injury. His journey leads him to the island of Tahiti, where he and other sailors are imprisoned after refusing to return to their ship. The narrative explores the dynamics of Melville's relationships with significant characters, including Doctor Long Ghost, a ship's doctor who becomes his close companion, and Captain Bob, the affable jailer who ultimately aids their escape.
Throughout the story, Melville grapples with the impact of colonialism, expressing a belief that the native population has been adversely affected by their interactions with white missionaries. The various characters, from the jolly jailer to the determined first officer, illustrate a range of traits that contribute to the unfolding drama. This novel offers a lens into the complexities of cultural encounters and personal friendships against the backdrop of the Pacific Islands, making it a compelling study of adventure and human connection.
Omoo: A Narrative of Adventures in the South Seas: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Herman Melville
First published: 1847
Genre: Novel
Locale: Tahiti and the South Seas
Plot: Adventure
Time: Early 1840's
Herman Melville, an American sailor who is rescued from a cannibal island by the crew of a British whaler, the Julia, and who signs on the ship as a deck hand. He is soon relieved of duty because of lameness in his leg. Conditions on the ship are bad, so Melville and the rest of the crew put ashore at Papeetee, on the island of Tahiti, and are imprisoned when they refuse to return to their ship. After the ship sails away with a new crew, Melville and the other sailors are freed by their Tahitian jailer. Later, Melville and his friend, Doctor Long Ghost, have several adventures in the islands together. Melville finally ships on a whaler that will take him to Japan and eventually home. In the course of his island-hopping, he becomes convinced that the natives have been corrupted by their contact with the white missionaries and were better off as primitive pagans.
Doctor Long Ghost, the ship's doctor on the British whaler that rescues Melville. The doctor becomes Melville's close friend and companion in his adventures. The doctor tries to sign on the same ship with Melville when Melville decides to leave the islands, but the captain refuses to allow the doctor to sign on, either as a deck hand or as ship's doctor, and he is left behind.
Captain Bob, the jailer of Melville and the rest of the crew on the island of Tahiti. He is jolly and easy-going; after the whaler sails away, the old man frees his prisoners.
John Jermin, first officer of the British whaler.