(_b_) He may be a demigod of supernatural power, half human, half
divine.
(_c_) He may be born in shape of a beast, bird, fish, or other object,
with or without the power to take human form or monstrous size.
(_d_) He may bear some relation to the sun, moon, or stars, a form rare
in Hawaii, but which, when it does occur, is treated objectively rather
than allegorically.
(_e_) He may be a god, without human kinship, either one of the
"departmental gods" who rule over the forces of nature, or of the
hostile spirits who inhabited the islands before they were occupied by
the present race.
(_f_) He may be a mere ordinary man who by means of one of these
supernatural helpers achieves success.
8. Poetry and prose show a quite different process of development. In
prose, connected narrative has found free expression. In poetry, the
epic process is neglected. Besides the formal dirge and highly developed
lyric songs (often accompanied and interpreted by dance), the
characteristic form is the eulogistic hymn, designed to honor an
individual by rehearsing his family's achievements, but in broken and
ejaculatory panegyric rather than in connected narrative.
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