A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize. Tradition as a Tool for Oppressing Women in Witi Ihimaera's The Whale Rider The Influence of Beliefs on Individual Life in Witi Ihimaera's "The Whale Rider." The story takes place in New Zealand where the Maori people of a small village claim descent from the Whale Rider, Paikea. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 88,000 The whole village comes together to save them, but they end up dying. The movie seems headed for the ancient cliche of the auditorium door which opens at the last moment to reveal the person that the child onstage desperately hopes to see--but no, that's not what happens. While he does later form an affectionate bond with his granddaughter, carrying her to school every day on his bicycle, he also resents her and blames her for many of the troubles facing the tribe. There's an amusing sequence where they practice looking ferocious to scare their enemies. The picture book by Colin Thompson,, Beneath the Clouds, Ivan Sen, Road Movie 2002, shows perceptions of personal discovery. Choose your writer among 300 professionals! The girl in question is Paikea, performed magnificently by Keisha Castle-Hughes in a role for which she was . But when Koro walks away, she climbs onto the back of the largest whale and coaxes it to re-enter the ocean. But Pai has several surprises for her tradition-bound grandfather that will open his eyes and the rest of the tribe to her true destiny. To try and combat the cost increase of an e-bike versus an "analog" model, Denver launched a series of rebates for anyone looking to buy an electric bike last year. Chapter 2 gives us the point of view of the whales. Every culture has its own traditions and many of the times these traditions are broken when new generations are born. 1672. : Taking Derrida, Lyotard, and Foucault to Church, MI, Baker Academic, 2006. To make matters worse, he names his daughter Paikea, which angers Koro who sees this as a mockery of Ngati Konohi customs and tradition. Bill Ashcroft, Gareth Griffiths and Helen Tiffin, Key Concepts in Post-Colonial Studies, London and New York, Routledge, 1998. Koro sees it as a sign of his failure and despairs further. There are three different types of journey; they are inner, physical and imaginative. This raises the question what is family? Available at www.indiewire.com/article/girl_power_new_zealand_ writerdirector_niki_caro_talks_about_whale_ rider. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera. So The Whale Rider shows deep levels of character development: as we see Koros great sadness, Nannys love for the family, and how Pais. Pai, in an attempt to bridge the rift that has formed, invites Koro to be her guest of honour at a concert of Mori chants that her school is putting on. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you Would you like to have an original essay? Meet Kahu, a young Maori girl, and follow her journey as she contradicts the roles females are expected to play. The opening sequence presents a powerful juxtaposition between contemporary culture and Maori heritage, with a modern hospital birth-scene intercut with mysterious shots of a whale and a female narrator recounting the Maori tale of Paikea: a mythical descendant of the Ngati Konohi tribe who discovered Whangara on the back of a humpback whale after his canoe had capsized off the coast of Hawaiki the ancient Maori homeland. As Pai grows older, her defiant character of a leader becomes evident. [Country: New Zealand, Germany. How indigenous societies must fight through the legal system to gain title to their land.. The story follows Paikea (Pai), who has disappointed her community by being born a girl. Throughout the novel, Ihimaera juxtaposes the migration of a herd of whales with the Maori tribe's search for a male heir. She gives birth to a baby girl, but things soon take a turn for the worse as the narrator reveals, When I was born, my twin brother died and took our mother with him. Her grandfather, who is her Herald in a way, condemns her for issues within the tribe. The film connects with universal themes of adolescence, and tackles topics like loss, courage, self-worth, and community. account. WHAT ISM DID U SEE ILLUSTRATED SEXISM: stereotypical gender roles Women: makes food: Koro utters Women setup dinner are not to smoke: a child says: Women should not smoke has to sit in the back: Koro tells Pai to move from the front row to the back row when they have a meeting in Marae Men: are fighters: boys are traditionally taught to use the taiaha fix things: Koro is not pleased when Pai can fix the motor for the boat boys do not cry: Pai finds Hemi crying and he gets upset and tells her to go away . In the film Whale Rider depicts a culture in transition. The texts we have studied in class Yolngu Boy and Whale Rider are excellent examples of how important cultural identity and belief are in communities. The validity of Woolfs claims is seen through Pais actions and outlooks where her androgynous mind and woman-manly characteristic allows for the full spectrum of being human; having both male and The Whale Rider Together with Yavaraj Athur Raghuvir I watched the movie called The Whale Rider which deals with the issue of cultural restrains both as an individual and as a society. He explains to Nanny that his son can have another child. From then on, Whangara chiefs, always the first-born, always male, have been considered Paikea's direct descendants. Pai states, Maori women have got to stop smoking, we have to protect our childbearings. This quote helps to show how the women do not care about their health and just smoke. For Koro, this symbolises the tribes contemporary crisis of identity, a loss of spiritual connection to their ancestors. Sponsored. The beginning of the film 'Whale Rider' introduces the characters in a close-up camera shot. From this point of view, the film establishes a personal form of communication in the family, despite all cultural, racial, and geographical boundaries. Unable to cope with the loss of his wife and son, Porourangi emigrates to Europe to pursue a career as an artist, turning his back on his Maori heritage and repurposing his traditional carving skills towards a more international and commercial market. Without the author's use of actual time and place, Irving's tale would not have the same force or strength as an American myth. Correct writing styles (it is advised to use correct citations) characters are most like you. The Maori, the native Polynesian people of New Zealand, are looking for a male descendant of Paikea the brave leader who escaped death on the back of a whale to lead them and restore the traditions. The leader is usually a male, and because pai is a female, her grandfather, koro is unhappy about her birth. Whale Rider is the story of a girl, Pai, whose twin brother and mother die in child birth. Her family thought she would die, but they soon realize that she is the whale rider. Indeed, as Sison suggests, the cultural milieu of Whale Rider is characterised by the ongoing Maori quest for soul and identity in the postcolonial aftermath (Sison 2012: 122), and it is these themes, as well as female empowerment, which underpin the narrative. Pathetic Fallacy in Literature Overview & Examples | What is the Pathetic Fallacy? Shes only twelve years old. Whale Rider Year: 2002 Director: Niki Caro Rating: PG-13 Communication Concepts: Self-Concept Communication Climate (Disconfirmation) Assertiveness Whale Rider takes place in present day New Zealand, where a 12-year-old girl named Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes) is growing up in an all-Maori community. This shows how she has leadership, since the rope represents the ancestors and by her grandfather breaking the rope shows how the culture has been broken apart. We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. When Pai ties the rope together this shows, how she is a leader shes willing to put the pieces together and fix the culture that has lost hope. Before man, "in the years that have gone before us, the land and sea felt a great emptiness, a yearning" (8). Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. The Whale Rider is a 1987 novel by New Zealand author Witi Ihimaera. The story of the fossil being cut from bedrock at the Little Wanganui River mouth last October sparked outrage in the local community and made headlines across the . The Whale Rider essays are academic essays for citation. Pai believes that she could serve as the chief, but her grandfather, despite his love, fiercely opposes this idea. Clock is ticking and inspiration doesn't come? Since the largest whale traditionally belongs to the legendary Paikea. At one point Paikea decides to leave with her father because her grandfather is mistreating her. The Piano (1993 Movie): Summary, Analysis, Avatar: Story telling in the tradition of the legend, Analysis of cinematography and mise-en-scene of a short sequence from Alfred Hitchcock's Blackmail, Zemlya / Earth (1930 Movie) - Summary - Analysis. Similar to Things Fall Apart, the film Whale Rider by Niki Caro explores the breakdown of Maori culture in post-colonial New Zealand. The rope proceeds to break when he tests it, which is further indication to Koro that the sacred line of the tribe is broken, that their ancestors have abandoned them in the face of modernity. Over the years family has been defined in many different ways through many perspectives. The whales are safe again once man respects nature and the ocean again. The old whale serves as a comparison to Koro. " Do you think that the whale is as old . Whale Rider is a 2002 New Zealand drama film written and directed by Niki Caro.Based on the 1987 novel The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera, the film stars Keisha Castle-Hughes as Kahu Paikea Apirana, a twelve-year-old Mori girl whose ambition is to become the chief of the tribe. Which will talk about where she comes from. It follows the journeys of Pai, a young girl, and Koro, her grandfather, who both seek to uphold and preserve the Maori tradition, which has been negatively influenced by the European culture. I would definitely hire her again! But, no, her people need her--whether or not her grandfather realizes it. cite it correctly. The effects and overall impact of a journey will depend on the characteristics of the particular journey undertaken. (2016, Oct 19). world is slowly crashing down around her. He is acting out of distress when he moves to Germany to pursue a career as an artist, and he has learned that he can never live up to Koros expectations. The Manchurians have a unique way of life. This shows how Koro does not want anything to do with Pai. Supplemental understanding of the topic including revealing main issues described in the particular theme; They initially find this strange in comparison to their modern lives but they gradually become more accustomed to Maori customs, especially the taiahi a ritual fighting stick. This film combines elements of history, traditions, depicting them from the point of view of a child, that sees the world not in black and white terms. Home / Essay Samples / Entertainment / Movies / Whale Rider. Disclaimer: This is an example of a student written essay.Click here for sample essays written by our professional writers. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism. Though the film has a strong female character, there are still male dominant elements throughout it. This relationship is ambivalent since the colonised subject is never completely opposed to the coloniser. Please note! Pequea Makita. By tradition the heir . She uses her gifts of communicating with nature to save a beached pod of whales, and because of that she is finally accepted. An enduring issue is one that many groups across time have attempted to solve with wildly varying degrees of success. Paikea is a small girl that is 13 years old, and is a direct descendant of Paikea, the original whale rider. Koro tells Kahu that he loves her regardless of whether she is a girl or a boy, and he names her the new leader, called Paikea, just like the founder of their tribe. In every generation for more than one thousand years, a male heir born to the Chief succeeds to the title. Whereas the majority of her community appear disrespectful of Maori customs and traditions, Pai shows a deep affinity to the old ways and demonstrates her passion publicly. Director and Screenwriter: Niki Caro. Pai herself is interested in the leadership, learning traditional songs and dances, but is given little encouragement by her grandfather. I feel like its a lifeline. This video fits the requirement for the Whale Rider video analysis of Dr. Ann McClellan's Global Literature class at Plymouth State University. Identity is not what race we are born into or the colour of our skin it is, For over 40 years, Massillon-Washington High School has continued a tradition of leasing a new tiger cub as a mascot every year for their football season. Pai is a free-spirited tomboy. AUTHOR OF THE NOVEL THE WHALE RIDER - WITI IHIMAERA The film is based on the book The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera. Im not a prophet, but I know that our people will keep going forward, all together, with all of our strength. This helps to show that although the tradition was broken when she was born she is willing to be the new change and be the leader Maori has been waiting for. This book is called The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera. This is a hot issue of many cultures through the world even today, as women try to gain a respectable place by hard working. In conclusion, Whale Rider is an accurate representation of modern Maori culture. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. It's not just an uplifting ending, but a transcendent one, inspired and inspiring, and we realize how special this movie really is. Retrieved from https://graduateway.com/analysis-of-the-whale-rider/, Coming Of Age across Cultures in Film: Whale Rider and Rabbit-Proof Fence Analysis, Analysis of the Film Easy Rider Directed by Dennis Hopper, Fox and coyote and whale compare and contrast. Traditionally family was described as a group of individuals We are nothing but bricks from our cultural moulds Bangambiki Habyarimana, Book of Wisdom She has used a number of cinematic techniques in this film to create atmosphere and sometimes show what the character is feeling. You may use it as a guide or sample for "Whale Rider" arrives in theaters already proven as one of the great audience-grabbers of recent years. This time, while no one is looking, Kahu jumps into the water and talks to the whales. In response to Porourangis announcement and the realisation that he has failed to anoint a suitable heir to leadership, Koro gathers all firstborn males from the tribe to teach them ancient Ngati Konohi culture and traditions, with the intention that one of these boys will become the tribes next chief. The other text that I have studied Bran Nue Dae is also a good example of this. Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand, and Whangaras citizens do their best to carry on their traditions in the modern day. The Essay Writing ExpertsUK Essay Experts. Three months after Kahu was born, her mother, Rehua, died. It's a story about a young Maori girl, Paikea Apirana that's born into the chief line along with a twin brother. However, Pai is female and technically cannot inherit the leadership. Challenge. Porourangi would be next in line but has no interest in returning home. The main social issue that is brought up by the film is the function of the woman in a world controlled mostly by men. Free delivery for many products! The play Away by Michael Gow as well as the Poem Sail Through Your Emotions, Don't Sink by Bashyam Narayanan and The Film Into the wild by Sean Penn all display the concept of the physical journey through their use of dialogue, language, structure and theme. And if that were not bad enough, Paikea (Pai) lost her father as well. The movie, which takes place in the present day in New Zealand, begins with the birth of twins. Another reason why Koro pushes her away is because he believes that everything went wrong when she was born. When Kahu is nine years old, a group of about 200 whales are stranded in shallow waters. Koro is bitterly disappointed when Porourangi announces to his family that he already has a pregnant lover in Germany and will not be returning home with the child, putting an end to Koros aspirations. By continuing, well assume you agree with our Cookies policy. Whale Rider is a drama film of the 2002, based on the novel of Witi Ihimaera, and directed by Niki Caro. We're here to answer any questions you have about our services. Nanny insists on making him acknowledge his granddaughter and hands Pai to him to carry her. Lyrics to Whalerider What's in Your Head? Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of UKEssays.com. 2. The genius of the movie is the way is sidesteps all of the obvious cliches of the underlying story and makes itself fresh, observant, tough and genuinely moving. *You can also browse our support articles here >. After Pai is hospitalized Koro realizes that Pai is the leader that they have been waiting for and asks for her forgiveness. Killer whales population is decreasing every year, mostly due to them being held in captivity. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. By Maori tradition, the tribes chief must be a direct descendant of the mythical Paikea, with first-born sons continuing this custom ever since. In the film, Whale Rider, through mythical creation powers, the hero endeavors to save her dying culture. On the east coast of New Zealand, the Whangara people believe their presence there dates back a thousand years or more to a single ancestor, Paikea, who escaped death when his canoe capsized by riding to shore on the back of a whale. And if that were not bad enough, Paikea ("Pai") lost her father as well. Relationship Status unattached. Pai feels, that she can become the leader, but it is impossible for a woman to do so, and she is given little encouragement by her grandfather. The Routledge Encyclopedia of Films, Edited by Sarah Barrow, Sabine Haenni and John White, first published in 2015. The creation myths power permits the courageous woman, Pai, to find her actual calling as a real leader of The second concerns the ancient leader of a pod of cetaceans who has suffered We will write a custom Essay on Face Negotiation Theory in the Film "Whale Rider" specifically for you. Moreover, the plot of Whale Rider follows a single thread and is linear while in the novel, there are multiple flashbacks, especially to Maori myths. Both are signs of internalized oppression. The people from Maori have been waiting for so long that they have lost hope and flight of people. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny. After Koro realizes how sacred and special Kahu is, he sees the error of his ways and finally accepts Kahu. The world premire was on September 2002, at the Toronto International Film Festival. Movie analysis The Whale Rider Together with Yavaraj Athur Raghuvir I watched the movie called The Whale Rider which deals with the issue of cultural restrains both as an individual and as a society. Pai shows the strengths of a leader through out the whole video but her grandfather does not notice it. Analysis of the Whale Rider The film's plot follows the story of Paikea Apirana ("Pai") [In the book, her name is Kahu, short for Kahutia Te Rangi], a 12-year-old girl who is the only living child in the line of the tribe's chiefly succession following the death of her twin brother and mother when she was born. WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF INTERNALIZED OPPRESSION Porourangi worked on building a Waka (canoe), a Maori cultural tradition, before the birth of his twins but due to his loss of wife and son, he stops and moves to Germany. The idea of Journey in these texts is portrayed through obstacles, various poetic and film techniques., A physical journey which involves the movement from one place to another can have lasting effects on an individual or group which can be mental, emotional, physical, or a combination. 545 Words3 Pages. The movie shows this visually and thematically all throughout the story. Koro is equally as upset because he feels that this is a sign for his people. 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