Supplemental understanding of the topic including revealing main issues described in the particular theme; Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. And then--well, the movie does not end as we expect. Niki Caro's Whale Rider - An analysis in relation to journeys. Another reason why Koro pushes her away is because he believes that everything went wrong when she was born. Similar to Things Fall Apart, the film Whale Rider by Niki Caro explores the breakdown of Maori culture in post-colonial New Zealand. 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. This shows how Koro does not want anything to do with Pai. Pai feels that she can become the leader, although theres no precedent for a woman to do so, and is determined to succeed. In every generation for more than one thousand years, a male heir born to the Chief succeeds to the title. $15.00. Koro, Pai's grandfather and leader of the Maori tribe, is devastated that their future leader has died. . A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize. 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. "Whale Rider" arrives in theaters already proven as one of the great audience-grabbers of recent years. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. AUTHOR OF THE NOVEL THE WHALE RIDER - WITI IHIMAERA The film is based on the book The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera. One night Paikea delivers a speech to the rest of the tribe that traces the history of her people and the significance of the Paikea legend, which she tearfully dedicates to her grandfather. Her mother died giving birth, and her twin brother never had a chance. 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. Her journey begins when she does not even know anything about becoming leader; she is living a normal life, doing her school work and living with her grandparents. 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. The book's narrator, Kahu's uncle Rawiri, then explains that the tribe's first chief and ancestor, Kahutia Te Rangi, who is also called Paikea, came to their land on the back of a whale, making him the whale rider. This video fits the requirement for the Whale Rider video analysis of Dr. Ann McClellan's Global Literature class at Plymouth State University. If you need assistance with writing your essay, our professional essay writing service is here to help! The Whale Rider Chapters 1-4 Summary & Analysis Part 1: "Prologue: The Coming of Kahutia Te Rangi" - Part 2: "Spring: The Force of Destiny" Chapter 1 Summary The land and sea are filled with suspense as they wait for the coming of man. She also secretly follows Koros lessons. He causes Pai much hurt by doubting her, questioning her achievements, insisting in the face of everything she achieves that she is only a girl. The boy and the mother die. The Maine Lobstermen's Association last September appealed a federal decision on some restrictions, and the case is now being heard in Washington. This technique stresses the notion of even items separated by time being interconnected which makes them part of the oneness of the world. 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. While the grandfather is explaining about the ancestors, hes trying to start the engine but the rope breaks. Available at www.indiewire.com/article/girl_power_new_zealand_ writerdirector_niki_caro_talks_about_whale_ rider. But her Grandfather, Koro Apirana, wanted a male chief for his tradition. We've received widespread press coverage since 2003, Your UKEssays purchase is secure and we're rated 4.4/5 on reviews.co.uk. Pais father leaves her because he doesnt believe that there is such thing as a leader and shows that he does not want any part of the culture. The bull whale remembers his master, the "golden man. By categorising different forms of literature into these three options, the meaning of journey can be easily derived and the techniques in which they are constructed can be more fully understood and appreciated. Pai is a free-spirited tomboy. Pai later proves herself to Koro at the near end of the book. What Koro does not understand is that Pai is the leader they have been waiting for. 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. Whale Rider Photo Credit: Everett Collection Character Analysis (Avoiding Spoilers) Growing Up without ever knowing her mother or twin brother. The story takes place in New Zealand where the Maori people of a small village claim descent from the Whale Rider, Paikea. She understood my main topic well and follow the instruction accordingly. The series is part of the celebrations of the 50th . For example, in the beginning when Koro goes to see the baby boy and tells Nanny to take Pai away from where he is. When Pai asks where her people come from, in what can be considered a key scene, Koro likens their ancestral line to the intertwining strands of a rope he is using to fix a boat motor. The Maori people faces a crisis as the current leaders firstborn grandchild, a baby boy dies at birth while the second born twin, a baby girl survives. Whale Rider, then, challenges the lineage of male dominance, with Paikeas plight serving as symbolic indictment of the mores of patriarchy, and a call for greater inclusiveness (Sison 2012: 129). The entire village trys to drag them back into the water but, where unsuccessful. How indigenous societies must fight through the legal system to gain title to their land.. They grew crops such as soybeans, apples, sorghum, and millet. So many films by and about teenagers are mired in vulgarity and stupidity; this one, like its heroine, dares to dream. Lesson Plans for English Language Arts and Literature. If you need this sample, insert an email and we'll deliver it to you. Koro was very upset when Kahu was born because she was a girl, and since then has ignored her, even though she loves him very much and wants his affection. Pai herself is interested in the leadership, learning traditional songs and dances, but is given little encouragement by her grandfather. some symbols in the whale rider are the whale, the whale rider, the waka, and the taiha. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Porourangi offers to take Paikea with him back to Europe, but as she looks out to sea she feels the pull of her ancestors and cannot abandon her heritage. By what name was Whale Rider (2002) officially released in India in English? The movie shows this visually and thematically all throughout the story. 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. Unknown to all, she had won an inter-school speech contest with a touching dedication to Koro and the traditions of the village. The old Chief is convinced that the tribes misfortunes began at Pais birth, and calls for his people to bring their firstborn boys to him for training. Graduateway.com is owned and operated by Radioplus Experts Ltd Whale Rider is a great example of the problems that many cultures and families are facing around the world. Also, 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 film was a coproduction between New . For Bill Ashcroft et al. Before man, "in the years that have gone before us, the land and sea felt a great emptiness, a yearning" (8). Download Free PDF. In the film, Whale Rider, through mythical creation powers, the hero endeavors to save her dying culture. Most heroes are big strong men, or mythical creatures that have thousands of stories and tales written about them. This highlights the tensions between the traditional and the modern in Maori culture, with Koros stringent following of the tribes ancient traditions leading him to alienate his own kin, despite the fact that Pai shows more promise than any of the other boys. She climbs on the back of the ancient bull whale as it dives deep into the sea. Koros teachings of earlier cultural practices, ceremonies and mythologies help to shore up community identity in the present, with the effects of colonialism being implied as possible cause of the tribes present day problems, such as youthful apathy, lack of direction and urban drift (Wilson 2011: 204). In The Whale Rider, Kahu is a young Maori girl who wants to be the chief of her tribe, but cannot be because in her culture that role is only for men. The old culture is continuously struggling to keep alive, to keep its people, its unigue traditions and customs, in a quickly changing world, that leaves the past behind. Eventually the rest of the tribe make their way to the shore, with the beached whales igniting in them a communal strength they believed was forgotten as they work tirelessly to lure the whales back towards the ocean. You may use it as a guide or sample for Porourangis unfinished te waka (ceremonial canoe) is left abandoned on the beach, acting as a constant reminder to Koro of his unfulfilled mission to anoint another male heir to tribal leadership (Sison 2012: 122). Many voyages that heroin's encounter are regularly identified with the four mythical functions. This website helped me pass! The culture has also become unhealthy for example, when Pai comes home and notices that the women playing cards at the dinner table have been smoking. The film ends with the village, including Pais father, uncle, and grandparents, celebrating her status as leader, as the finished waka is hauled into the sea for its maiden voyage. Growing Up without ever knowing her mother or twin brother. But when Koro walks away, she climbs onto the back of the largest whale and coaxes it to re-enter the ocean. Cinematographer: Leon Narbey. The Film 'Whale Rider' uses cinematic techniques such as camera angles as an element to emphasise emotion and reactions to circumstances and conflict. 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. Pai's Opening Voice-Over PAI (narrating): In the old days the land felt a great emptiness that was waiting, waiting to be filled up, waiting for someone to love her, waiting for a leader. The picture book by Colin Thompson,, Beneath the Clouds, Ivan Sen, Road Movie 2002, shows perceptions of personal discovery. Throughout the novel, Ihimaera juxtaposes the migration of a herd of whales with the Maori tribe's search for a male heir. 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. The book "The Whale Rider" by Witi Ihimaera is about a girl named Kahu and is in line to becoming chief in her tribe but greatly discouraged by her grandfather . Koro, who is the Chief of the Maori tribe, is the other important character of the film. Killer whales population is decreasing every year, mostly due to them being held in captivity. Teaching Resources for Middle Grade & Young Adult Books, Psychological Research & Experimental Design, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses, Teaching Death & Loss in Children's Books, Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin Discussion Questions, Iqbal: A Novel - Book Summary & Characters, American Born Chinese: Book Summary, Analysis & Themes, American Born Chinese: Book Characters & Quotes, American Born Chinese Discussion Questions, Journey of the Sparrows Summary & Characters, Wonder by R.J. Palacio: Summary & Characters, Pre-Reading Activities for Wonder by R.J. Palacio, Wonder by R.J. 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