whale rider analysis

The films 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 tribes chiefly succession following the death of her twin brother and mother when she was born. Personality determined, wise, and sensitive. Paikea, realising what she was destined to do, proceeds to ride the large whale, sparking it into life, followed by the rest of the pod. Pai is just a young girl in the beginning of the film, and a leader in the end. what's in your head? Registered address: Louki Akrita, 23 Bellapais Court, Flat/Office 46 1100, Nicosia, Cyprus The myth about Paikea says that he was rescued by a whale, after his canoe was lost in the sea. This essay was written by a fellow student. The story follows a 12-year-old Maori girl named Paikea Apirana who struggles to earn her . Despite his love for Pai, his passion to restore the tribe through a firstborn male leader is aggravated by her very presence. Chapter 1 begins in myth, and myths explain what was once unexplainable to a people. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism. It would have been Pais father or her twin brother if either of them were still around. Unbeknown to Koro, Rawiri later takes Pai out in the boat, who not only finds the necklace, but also manages to catch a lobster as a present for her grandfather. Correct writing styles (it is advised to use correct citations) Challenge. They are a replication of the broadly understood human culture (Falassi, 1987). They attempt to move the largest bull whale using a tractor, but it is a problem that cannot be resolved by modern technology. 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. 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. Pride can be seen in both positive and negative ways. Growing Up without ever knowing her mother or twin brother. Similar to Things Fall Apart, the film Whale Rider by Niki Caro explores the breakdown of Maori culture in post-colonial New Zealand. Pai wanted to show Koro how strong she was so he could love her. In The Whale Rider, Kahu helps to cook and garden with Nanny Flower. From then on, Whangara chiefs, always the first-born, always male, have been considered Paikea's direct descendants. At school, she is the most interested in Paikea culture and origins, unlike the other boys. 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. However, Koro was late, and as he was walking to the school, he notices that numerous right whales are beached near Pais home. Those who support this Festivals have been present in people's life for ages. 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. Only Koro had failed to turn up; distant cries had drawn him to the beach where a pod of whales lay dying. Fearing that his granddaughter has drowned Koro finally understands that it was Pai all along who was destined to be the tribes new leader, finally accepting that he must adapt his cultural beliefs. In one scene, Hami, the most promising student in Koros school, challenges Pai to a taiahi duel, which Pai eventually wins. Dont Give Up is an example of the theme because even though TJs dad turns to suicide and drugs in order to cope with the accident, he still decides to take that experience to help out children in need. Pathetic Fallacy in Literature Overview & Examples | What is the Pathetic Fallacy? Please enable Javascript and hit the button below! report, Analysis of the Whale Rider. 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. In the end everyone from the village is celebrating her status as a leader, and working together, the waka is finished and is taken into the sea. The girl in question is Paikea, performed magnificently by Keisha Castle-Hughes in a role for which she was . Kahu is found floating in the ocean and protected by dolphins. Issues such as cultural differences and gender equality are presented by the composers through the clever use of devices appropriate to the medium, while using the post-colonial context to accentuate these issues. 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. The Whale Rider starts a thousand years ago, with a pod of whales. Free shipping for many products! Niki Caro's Whale Rider - An analysis in relation to journeys. 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. There are three different types of journey; they are inner, physical and imaginative. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. 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. Whale Rider is an expressive, cultural drama film by the award winning director Nikola Jean "Niki" Caro, that explores the ideas of love, rejection, tradition and gender roles. She uses her gifts of communicating with nature to save a beached pod of whales, and because of that she is finally accepted. The movie, written and directed by Niki Caro, inspired by a novel by Witi Ihimaera, describes these events within the rhythms of daily life. It isn't that Koro comes or that he doesn't come, but that something else altogether happens. We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you The picture book by Colin Thompson,, Beneath the Clouds, Ivan Sen, Road Movie 2002, shows perceptions of personal discovery. Before man, "in the years that have gone before us, the land and sea felt a great emptiness, a yearning" (8). In the film Whale Rider depicts a culture in transition. Since the largest whale traditionally belongs to the legendary Paikea. The story takes place in New Zealand where the Maori people of a small village claim descent from the Whale Rider, Paikea. 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. This essay has been submitted by a student. (1998: 139), this highlights a form of colonial mimicry, whereby the indigenous population adopts the colonisers cultural habits. In the film, Whale Rider, through mythical creation powers, the hero endeavors to save her dying culture. Pai is found alive and the film closes with the whole tribe embracing their Maori culture, celebrating through traditional Maori rituals. He doesnt see that Pai is the leader that the people of Maori have been waiting for. Clock is ticking and inspiration doesn't come? It won the audience awards as the most popular film at both the Toronto and Sundance film festivals, played to standing ovations, left audiences in tears. At one point Paikea decides to leave with her father because her grandfather is mistreating her. By the uncle being lazy he has gained weight and is not slim like before. 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. It has a lot of awards through the world: BAFTA Childrens Award, Best Feature Film 2003; Broadcast Film Critics Association Award, Best Young Actor/Actress (Keisha Castle-Hughes) 2004; Chicago Film Critics Association Award, Most Promising Performer (Keisha Castle-Hughes) 2004; Cinemanila International Film Festival, Special Jury Prize 2003; Humanitas Prize, Sundance Film Category 2003; Independent Spirit Award, Best Foreign Film (New Zealand) 2004; Mexico City International Contemporary Film Festival and others. "Our Koro was like an old whale stranded in an alien present, but that was how it was supposed to be, because he also had his role in the pattern of things, in the tides of the future". The effects and overall impact of a journey will depend on the characteristics of the particular journey undertaken. The girl, Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes) survives. Soon after, there is another mass group of beached whales. Summary, Pages 3 (537 words) Views. The novel Things Fall Apart (1958) by Chinua Achebe and the film Whale Rider (2002) by Niki Caro both address the overcoming of emotional boundaries, while following the progress of the main characters. To make matters worse, he names his daughter Paikea, which angers Koro who sees this as a mockery of Ngati Konohi customs and tradition. Furthermore, such a portrayal of a Maori tribe in their contemporary setting highlights post-colonial ambivalence in New Zealand, indicating that Maoris are not fully opposed to the hybridisation that has occurred during the colonial process. But her Grandfather, Koro Apirana, wanted a male chief for his tradition. Pai, of course, is banned from these classes, but she eavesdrops and enlists a wayward uncle to reveal some of the secrets of the males. cite it correctly. From then on, Whangara chiefs, always the first-born, always male, have been considered Paikea's direct descendants. The notion of journey is apparent is Beneath Clouds by Ivan Sen, as well as in related texts Stand By Me by Rob Reiner and Bushwalking by Phillip Rush. Please note! These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera. Graduateway.com is owned and operated by Radioplus Experts Ltd 808 certified writers online. Journeys motivate the travellers to overcome their specific obstacles and undergo change. characters are most like you. The boy and the mother die. Pai climbs onto the back of the whale and makes it re-enter the ocean. Supplemental understanding of the topic including revealing main issues described in the particular theme; These are their battles this is their war., Culture is the characteristics of a particular group of people, defined by language, religion, social habits, traditions, stories and music. All rights reserved. It is shown that all people have their depth of sadness, yet in this sadness we can find out what truly connects us with those we love. submit it as your own as it will be considered plagiarism. Pais koro, Apirana, or Old Paka as his wife Nanny Flowers calls him, the leader of the tribe, is initially angry at losing his grandson and being left with a worthless female. The Whale Rider essays are academic essays for citation. This website helped me pass! Koro decides to form a cultural school for the village boys, hoping to find a new leader. Various types of journeys can be seen clearly in the three texts studied this year: The Happiest Refugee extract, written by Anh Doh in 2010, The Silver Donkey novel by Sonya Hartnett in 2004 and the film Bend It Like Beckham directed by Gurinder Chadha in 2002. A film adaptation was made in 2002 that would go on to win several awards. Pai sympathises with Koro and prays to her ancestors for help, with a voice-over revealing, They heard me, initiating the films most iconic and emotional sequence. Registered office: Creative Tower, Fujairah, PO Box 4422, UAE. 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. Free resources to assist you with your university studies! For example, in the beginning when Koro goes to see the baby boy and tells Nanny to take Pai away from where he is. 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). Her father, Porourangi, and Koro convinced Nanny Flowers that this was a good idea. This is not a simplistic fable but the story of real people living in modern times. Koros youngest son Rawiri, meanwhile, has turned to drugs and alcohol as a form of escape, whilst the younger children of the tribe laugh and joke as Maori rituals are performed on the marea, more concerned with football and cigarettes. She stands up to her grandfather in painful scenes, she finds dignity, and yet the next second she's running around the village like the kid she is. The Whale Rider isn't like every other story I've read before. Get unlimited access to over 88,000 lessons. Similarly, Smith (2006: 110) suggests the imposition of Pakeha culture and opportunities of modernity has created a lost generation amongst the Maori people, with several characters portraying the effects of this modern allure. The book argues that Rider Haggard's She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed, Bram Stoker's female vampires and Conrad's destructive Malayan or African women, even Hardy's Tess, are all caught up in a series of late 19th-century contexts: biological determinism, imperialism, race, theories about female sexuality, degeneration and evolutionary theory. How indigenous societies must fight through the legal system to gain title to their land.. Paikea: My name is Paikea Apirana, and I come from a long line of chiefs stretching all the way back to the whale rider. He gave them gifts, including the ability to communicate with animals and nature. As well as this journeys can be a positive and negative experience. It helped me pass my exam and the test questions are very similar to the practice quizzes on Study.com. The Whale Rider tells two stories. 'The Whale Rider' tells the story of a girl destined to be a leader of her people. The indie film Whale Rider is an engrossing character drama with an inspirational message. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. 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: Summary & Analysis 3:26 The Tequila Worm Lesson Plan American Born Chinese Novel Lesson Plan American Born Chinese: Book Summary, Analysis & Themes . The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera 9,745 ratings, 3.84 average rating, 1,109 reviews The Whale Rider Quotes Showing 1-9 of 9 "He loved them deeply, but sometimes love becomes a power game between the ambitions that parents have for their children and the ambitions that children have for themselves." Witi Ihimaera, The Whale Rider 15 likes Like Though she is loved by her grandfather named Koro, who is the Chief of the Maori tribe, she is not accepted as a future leader, and as a person as well. us: [emailprotected]. Koro insist for a male because hes stuck in this tradition that does not exist anymore. 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. As Pai grows older, her defiant character of a leader becomes evident. 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. 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. Koro is the chief of these people. 'The Whale Rider' tells the story of a girl destined to be a leader of her people. By tradition the heir . No plagiarism, guaranteed! Whale Rider (15th Anniversary Edition) [New Blu-ray] Shout Factory Select. requirements? Sison (2012: 134) proposes that this ending follows a particular theological trajectory, with Paikeas symbolic reincarnation having a transformative impact on the community. The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera Buy Study Guide The Whale Rider Summary The story begins with a focus on the ancient days, when nature and all wildlife were excitedly waiting for the coming of man. 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 . When the whale accepts Kahu as a leader, Koro does as well. Her father, Porourangi (Cliff Curtis), an artist, leaves New Zealand, and the little girl is raised and much loved by her grandparents Koro and Nanny Flowers. The families of Maori have also become ruptured for example, when Hemi goes up to present his father only stays for a little while to watch him then leaves with his friends. 2. The creation myths power permits the courageous woman, Pai, to find her actual calling as a real leader of Here you can choose which regional hub you wish to view, providing you with the most relevant information we have for your specific region. He is certain that through a process of teaching the ancient chants, tribal lore and warrior techniques, the future leader of their tribe will be revealed to him. Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. Whale Rider is a unique, untypical and fascinating film. The Essay Writing ExpertsUK Essay Experts. The Manchurians have a unique way of life. Whale rider scene analysis Introduction Whale Rider follows a little girl named Paikea (whose mother and twin brother died at birth and her father is in Germany) as she tries to find acceptance from her grandfather (Koro), who blames her for "all" their issues and is chastised multiple times by Koro. Whale Ridershows emotional experience of a young Maori girl, Pai, who is the main character and the most bright personality in the film. Whales in the wild tend to live longer and reproduce more often to healthier offspring, which is why we should leave them there., Today the meaning of journey has been lost in many forms of literature. There is a scene set at a school ceremony, where Pai has composed a work in honor of her people and asked her grandfather to attend. 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. When I finished the story I believe that the theme of The Whale Rider was to overcome the odds to achieve the greatness. There are moments when Pai is lost in discouragement and despair, and when her father comes for a visit she almost leaves with him. Based on Witi Ihimaeras novel of the same name, Niki Caros Whale Rider is a moving depiction of a young Maori girl battling to overturn the patriarchal traditions of her Ngati Konohi tribal community. The drama Away, by Michael Gow has been very intricately written, Gow has used physical journey to portray the inner journey taking place in each of his characters lives. These texts show how the physical journey affects the travellers and causes a change in them., Niki Caro directed the film 'The Whale Rider'. Paikea is a small girl that is 13 years old, and is a direct descendant of Paikea, the original whale rider. And if that were not bad enough, Paikea (Pai) lost her father as well. Porourangi refuses to assume traditional leadership. But he's focused on his duties as chief of the Maori in Whangara, New Zealanda tribe that claims descent from the legendary "whale rider." You may use it as a guide or sample for Koro sees it as a sign of failure and gets upset when Pai is touching the largest whale because he feels she has done enough damage. Another theme is Independence because in chapter 15, Kristin Sweetwater finally breaks up with Mike Barbour and actually sticks with the breakup., Every December, a fleet of hungry, evil whaling vessels set sail from Japan to commence their annual hunt on the minke and humpback whales in the Antarctic Whale Sanctuary in the Southern Ocean. Both text are similar as they discuss issues of poverty within the indigenous communities along with the longing to discover themselves through discovering their past., The film Whale Rider took me on a whale of an emotional ride. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Whale Rider (Lions Gate) (2002)(DVD)*DISC ONLY at the best online prices at eBay! Deadline from 3 hours. Eventually, he begins teaching classes that teach the young boys how to act like true tribesmen. Pai is played by Keisha Castle-Hughes, a newcomer of whom it can only be said: This is a movie star. On her journey to become the leader of the tribe, she comes across numerous amounts of challenges from her grandfather, Koro. Koro, Pai's grandfather and leader of the Maori tribe, is devastated that their future leader has died. Need a custom essay sample written specially to meet your It's a story about a young Maori girl, Paikea Apirana that's born into the chief line along with a twin brother. The film opens with Porourangi, eldest son of Koro, the current chief, anxiously supporting his wife who is in labour. One of the students, Hemi, is also sympathetic towards her, but Koro is enraged when he finds out, particularly when she wins her taiaha fight against Hemi. Whale Rider is the story of a girl, Pai, whose twin brother and mother die in child birth. Pai, an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, believes she is destined to be the new chief. As Koro has made it crystal clear that no girl can ever become chief, its an uphill battle, to say the least. And he came on the back of a whale, a man to lead a new people, our ancestor, Paikea After being told for so many years that she is worthless because she is a girl, Pai is also struggling to find acceptance and love. 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. Director Niki Caro Writers Niki Caro Witi Ihimaera (book "The Whale Rider") Stars Keisha Castle-Hughes Rawiri Paratene Vicky Haughton See production, box office & company info Watch on Freevee Pai is a free-spirited tomboy. From this point of view, the film establishes a personal form of communication in the family, despite all cultural, racial, and geographical boundaries. She understood my main topic well and follow the instruction accordingly. 10 of the best book quotes from The Whale Rider. Eventually, her birthfather, Porourangi, comes back and describes his current situation in life; how he lives in Germany and has a great life with a new woman, who is pregnant. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny. The movie shows this visually and thematically all throughout the story. 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. The second concerns the ancient leader of a pod of cetaceans who has suffered Her mother died giving birth, and her twin brother never had a chance. Recently, this tradition has come under scrutiny. She stands up for what she believes even in the face of the adults around her, and isnt afraid to take risks to do whats right. For example, Porourangi uses international travel to escape the pain of losing his loved ones, as well as the responsibility to produce a male son that Koro believes will lead his people out of the darkness. Her grandfather, who is her Herald in a way, condemns her for issues within the tribe. The film gained much respect from critics, it went on in film festivals such as Sundance and Tribecca, and gained international recognition. The bull whale remembers his master, the "golden man. What Koro does not understand is that Pai is the leader they have been waiting for. A special attention should be paid to a the concept of shadows in the story, as it has an important meaning. Kamen Rider Black Sun (BLACK SUN, Kamen Raid Burakku San) is a Japanese tokusatsu web drama reboot of the 1987 television series Kamen Rider Black.A co-production between Ishimori Productions and Toei, the series is directed by Kazuya Shiraishi and was released worldwide through Amazon Prime Video on October 28, 2022. The inner journey is one which involves the hurdling of psychological barriers, as well as cultural and social obstacles, rather than just a physical trek. By Hemis father leaving so soon Hemi feels upset because he really wanted to show his father what he has learned about his 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 Whangara believe their people date back to a single ancestor, Paikea, who survived when his boat capsized in the middle of the ocean by riding to shore on the back of a whale. 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. " Do you think that the whale is as old . Bill Ashcroft, Gareth Griffiths and Helen Tiffin, Key Concepts in Post-Colonial Studies, London and New York, Routledge, 1998. Meet Kahu, a young Maori girl, and follow her journey as she contradicts the roles females are expected to play in her culture and develops a relationship with whales. We see the different techniques employed by composers through Peter Skrzyneckis Crossing the Red Sea and Immigrants at Central Station, Shirley Geok-lin Lims The Town Where Time Stands Still and The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham., The killer whale, also known as an orca, is known to be the largest dolphin. the speedboat and tractor) connotes the complex mix of attraction and repulsion that characterises the relationship between the coloniser and colonised (Ashcroft et al., 1998: 12). There is a vast difference between movies for 12-year-old girls, and movies about 12-year-old girls, and "Whale Rider" proves it. 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. It is not just a family film, just an Australian film it is a film that can touch the hearts of millions.

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