Civilized man in Supplément au voyage de Cook The surprise, naivety, submission, and wisdom of the indigenous people

This article explores the juxtaposition between civilized man and indigenous man through such rhetorical devices as surprise and exclamation on the one hand, and farce on the other. The playwright’s humor is subtle but powerful, and paints a picture of two opposing human natures: one instinctive, and the other bound by the values of so-called civilized society.