Whale Rider Analysis

Witi Ihimaria's novel, The Whale Rider is a novel around Maori family with traditional customs. It is set in a whangara and focuses on gender stereotypes that begin after a baby girl is born in the family , aggravating his grand-granddad in light of the fact that the introduction of a girl breaks the ancestry.

In the film 'Whale Rider', by Niki Caro which follows the journey of a young girl named Paikea Apirana and her struggle for acceptance as a leader of her Māori iwi, and especially her grandfather. An important character in this film is Pai herself. This character has significant importance as she is used to portray numerous important ideas and themes throughout the film. Pai helps me to understand and appreciate that women can also be leaders that are equal to men if they have the right attributes. The director Niki Caro uses numerous different film techniques to convey this idea, such as; the camera shots and camera angles when Pai is giving her speech to Koro, the use of camera angles and props in relation to the dialogue when Pai if fixing the motorboat engine, and the use of props when Pai is teaching herself to use the Taiaha.

A young boy sits on the floor gazing up in amusement as his parents tell him stories that have traveled from generation to generation. Whether it be a tale of malicious war or brave acts of heroism, the little boy will always remember the impactful tales. But what about the parents; what is their motive for telling tales to their child? People tell stories for different reasons; a best selling author may write his story to sell books. While a parent tells a story to set their child straight, others simply want the thrill of telling tales of their adventurous life. For The Tao Jones ,or TJ, in Chris Crutcher's Whale Talk, the most impactful story he will hear and tell is his own. Someone might not solely tell their own story but, are also able to tell the story of those around them. Superficially, TJ’s story is one of brutal negativity and oppression. However, beneath the surface TJ and other peoples’ tale, is one of the unbreakable bond of brotherhood, unique self identity, and last chance at redemption.

A hero growing up usually has an awkward vive that displays them as an outcast. Reflecting to the beginning of the movie with the birth of Pai, her twin brother death symbolizes her characteristic. Throughout the movie “Whale Rider,” Pai at moments had a transcendent gender. Her short cut hairstyle and masticated clothes, hidden her feminine image but embraces her boyish characteristic. Others did not recognize Pai within the training school for her natural talent to compete against other males. In the Maori community, Pai is a disgrace because it was abnormal for a female to participate and practice within the traditional worrier school. Pai was not interested in the limited roles of what a woman are set out to do and refuse to limit her learning in the ritual of the worrier ancestors. Her grandfather clearly let her know that she is an embarrassment to him and the Maori community. He was blinded by the fact that her capabilities to with stand physical completions towards other male and in most cases defeat their pride. It was so obvious Pai had all the attributes of what her grandfather was seeking, but was ignorant by belief. There were numerous times she was caught practicing fighting technique and then punished by her grandfather. Punished by her grandfather and was forbidden by him to not

The mystical myth in Whale Rider would be when she rode the whale. Pai is suppose to be the new chief in town, however, her grandfather, Koro, does not think a girl should be chief because he believes it will break tradition. Pai’s grandfather would always talk to the whales to get some help and advice from them, which are said to be their ancestors. The community was breaking apart and Koro was aware of it; that’s

If you travel along the east coast of Hilo, Hawaii’s shoreline, you might find some beautiful beaches. One of these beaches, Onekahakaha, is the beach where a little girl lived, in a cliff under the rocks, wearing a crown of flowers atop her head, dancing to the sounds of the ocean waves hitting the sand. Everyone knew her, and everyone loved her. Her name was Emmely Stallion, but everyone called her Emma. People said that she could hug a stingray and not get stung. They said that she had a pet shark that was so friendly, that he was even friends with shark hunters. He even offered them a ride! Even so, the frequent rider of the shark was none other than Emmely herself. She wouldn’t wear Lycra Women’s Swimwear in the ocean, one with shorts-like

“In Kapu has the religious law system that ruled over Hawaiian life. Religious laws included thousands of rules which limited what people could and could not do it. This system based on beliefs of mana, which means spiritual power. In ancient Hawaiians

Martha Ward’s Nest in the Wind is the fascinating account of culture on the small island, Pohnpei in Micronesia. Ward is an American anthropologist from New Orleans who two years living on Pohnpei working on a blood-pressure research project and studying the culture of the island in the 70’s. She later returned for a shorter visit to the island to see how the culture had changed in the years she had been gone. Pohnpei is very different from western society in nearly every aspect of life, from how the people define family, value systems and norms, and even how their economic system operates. Ward documented all of these things in her account of the island as she learned, and was embraced into the culture of Pohnpei.

Throughout “Whale Rider” Paikea is expected to listen to what her grandpa tells her to do and say. Personally, Paikea feels conflicted and under pressure to stick to her grandpas rules, as she wants to go her own way. Her grandpa finds it hard to see Paikea as her own person and can’t accept modernity, which he is not used to. He also stops her from learning the ways of a Maori chief, which is something she still tries to do in secret with the help of the rest of her family. Koro sometimes fails to see what Paikea can do, as he feels very strongly about old traditions, but other times he sees what she can do and fails to appreciate it. Paikea just wants to be loved and accepted by her grandfather and her strong sense of leadership and determination to get that from him leaves her as a role model to others to be brave and to never stop until they get what they want.

During the first scene in Whale Rider, the protagonist Pai is born into a tribe that depends on her twin brother on becoming chief, but with his and their mothers’ death during childbirth, her grandfather Koro “wished in his heat that I (Pai) had never been born). Though his opinion of Pai changes as she grows and they become very close. Being the chief of the community, Paka takes tradition and culture very seriously Paka believes that Pai’s twin brother was born to be the chief, though the audience finds out that it was Pai’s duty to become chief. But while Pai shows this clearly, Koro’s antiquated ways and beliefs makes it difficult for her to assume her position as chief. Due to his commitment to the old ways, Koro is unable to accept

In traditional Māori society, leadership is carried out predominantly by males and the order of birth in the male line decides the inheritance to chiefly rank (Buck 1950:343). However, individuals coming from a high genealogical rank still need to prove that they are worthy of

Kupe is thought to be the first Polynesian to arrive at New Zealand near 800 A.D. Upon arrival the Polynesian Maori people named the land “Aotearoa” which translates to “Land of the long white cloud.” He used waka hourua canoes (translates to double canoes), and sailed from an island in the South Pacific Ocean area known as Hawaiki near the Cook islands, Tahiti and Hawaii. The Maori trace their people back to seven tribes through a whakapapa, or genealogy. There were conflicts between tribes, but they were not in constant battle. To defend their tribes, they built structures known as pa. The pa were very similar to forts in terms of being surrounded by stockades and trenches for protection from intruders.

This book really grabbed me right from the beginning of the story. The story begins with the birth of fraternal twins, with the grandfather patiently awaiting the birth of the son. Right away I felt sadness when the mother and one of the twins die. The boy dies and the girl survives. The grandpa seems to not care about the girl who survived . He was longing for his grandson because he is from the Maori tribe and the tribe is waiting for the sign of a new chief to be born . The chief would lead the village and its community to greatness. Many elders have been born but none with the strength to be the next chief. The little girl was named Pai. The grandma of Pai took her home to raise her along with the grandfather. The grandfather showed

The Maori people believe that they exist because of the whales. The whales and the Maori people are spiritually connected. The children, especially the boys, are taught by the elders that whales are why they exist and their spirit lives through them. They must honor this code in order to maintain happiness and hope. The Maori’s believe there has to be a chosen one to lead the whales and the people. It is an obligation of the people and girls are forbidden to be the chosen/prophet. The prophet is the one who will lead the Maori people out of darkness and bring hope to their people once again. The values of these people are taught to every child born. The livelihood is based on these beliefs. The Maori people are also taught that they have to protect the sacred laws of their people by following all the rules and not upsetting the balance. Paikea is the young girl in the movie and also the main character in this movie. Before this film I did not know anything about this race / culture. I was impressed with how disciplined they are when it comes to honoring their beliefs. Many people do not know anything about their backgrounds or where there family originated from. However, this culture’s life depends on their heritage. While it is impressive that they do know their background it has also enabled the grandfather to grow with the changing world. The pressure it put on the family as a whole especially the grandfather caused anger, resentment, and frustration with each other

Maori religion is largely based on the ancient legend of Rangi and Papa. The religion promotes a deep connection and respect for nature. It is their belief that all life possesses mauri (life force), wairau (spirit), and mana (power, influence, and charisma).3 This universal life force is traditionally celebrated, passed down, and remembered