Children of Venus : european perceptions of Tahiti, 1767-1797

Abstract

A presentation and examination of opinions and perceptions among early visitors to Tahiti - from Samuel Wallis's discovery in 1767 to the arrival of the missionaries in 1797 - focusing on the most common themes discussed among the navigators and seamen: sex and promiscuous women, beautiful nature and easy access to food, but also negative aspects such as theft, violence, war and human sacrifice. Also under discussion is European perceptions of Tahitian religion and society, comparisons (made by the visitors) between Tahiti and Europe, and the European search for the Tahitian "character". One of the primary aims of the thesis is to investigate the viability of the "noble savage" myth.