Koros frustration is plain to see as he proceeds to exclude both Hami and Pai from his final challenge to determine who will become the next chief. 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. How indigenous societies must fight through the legal system to gain title to their land.. Therefore, Whale Rider emphasises the benefits of bicultural cooperation, incorporating what Duncan Petrie (2007: 172) describes as a utopian embrace of common humanity as an alternative strategy of dealing with the trauma of the past. Many centuries ago a legendary ancestor named Paikea brought there the Maori people, who still lives there. While the movie Whale Rider is set in New Zealand and reflects Mori traditions and culture, it's relatable to kids everywhere. In the beginning, the Manchu people were into agriculture. This time, while no one is looking, Kahu jumps into the water and talks to the whales. This shows how Koro does not want anything to do with Pai. Whale Rider is a great example of the problems that many cultures and families are facing around the world. The world premire was on September 2002, at the Toronto International Film Festival. Koro attempts to discover their new leader through a cultural reform school solely for the first-born sons of every family. Every single author creates some sort of journey in the stories that they write, no matter what form or medium it is in, there is always a journey being taken. Her family thought she would die, but they soon realize that she is the whale rider. For Jimmy and Roxane Henderson, though, it's what they do when their son Jordan plays hoops for Canisius College . Her mother died giving birth, and her twin brother never had a chance. 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. When the whale accepts Kahu as a leader, Koro does as well. It's not just an uplifting ending, but a transcendent one, inspired and inspiring, and we realize how special this movie really is. An enduring issue is one that many groups across time have attempted to solve with wildly varying degrees of success. 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. 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. Though there is a recurrent and overarching feeling of great-whale-in-the-sea calm, strength and beauty, there is a strong undercurrent of emotional turmoil, with which each of the main characters struggle., A physical journey is more than a physical movement. 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. 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. The conflict between him and Pai is caused by Koros refusal to acknowledge Pai as the inheritor of the tradition, Koro is blinded by prejudice, and nobody can convince him that Pai is the natural heir. : hey you why are we walking trough? Free delivery for many products! us: [emailprotected]. 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. There are several similarities and differences between The Whale Rider and Whale Rider. 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. The whales are a symbol of Kahu's tribe: when the whales are safe, the tribe is safe. By continuing, well assume you agree with our Cookies policy. cite it correctly. It's a story about a young Maori girl, Paikea Apirana that's born into the chief line along with a twin brother. (2016, Oct 19). Marginalised from contemporary New Zealand society, the Maori community is ostensibly struggling in rural poverty and obscurity; rusting car wrecks and abandoned machinery litter the otherwise idyllic Whangara coastline (the northeast region of New Zealands North Island where the film was shot), emphasising the intrusion of Western/Pakeha culture and the effects of modernity. In the film Whale Rider depicts a culture in transition. This video fits the requirement for the Whale Rider video analysis of Dr. Ann McClellan's Global Literature class at Plymouth State University. When she goes out to sea, Nanny Flowers shows Koro the whale tooth which Pai had previously recovered. 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. 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. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny. Interests whatever the boys are doing. 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. Pathetic Fallacy in Literature Overview & Examples | What is the Pathetic Fallacy? They are a replication of the broadly understood human culture (Falassi, 1987). The second concerns the ancient leader of a pod of cetaceans who has suffered From the beginning, Paikea, or Pai, is a young girl in a mans world. 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. 2023's Most Anticipated Sequels, Prequels, and Spin-offs. Here you can choose which regional hub you wish to view, providing you with the most relevant information we have for your specific region. Every culture has its own traditions and many of the times these traditions are broken when new generations are born. Paikea is a small girl that is 13 years old, and is a direct descendant of Paikea, the original whale rider. But Koro always rejected Pai just because she's a girl. Antonio Sison, World Cinema, Theology, and the Human: Humanity in Deep Focus, New York, Routledge, 2012. Janet Wilson, Re-representing Indigeneity: Approaches to History in recent New Zealand Australian Films, in Alistair Fox, Barry Keith Grant and Hilary Radner, (eds), New Zealand Cinema: Interpreting the Past, Bristol, Intellect, 2011, pp. The entire village attempts to coax and drag them back into the water, but all efforts prove unsuccessful; even a tractor doesnt help because the rope breaks. A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize. She understood my main topic well and follow the instruction accordingly. If your specific country is not listed, please select the UK version of the site, as this is best suited to international visitors. When I finished the story I believe that the theme of The Whale Rider was to overcome the odds to achieve the greatness. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny. Kahu's great-grandfather Koro is chief of the tribe, but because of his old age he is worried about who will be his heir. Soon after, Rawiri moves to Australia and then Papua New Guinea to see the world. Whale Rider is about the current chief, Koro, having to accept that the tradition of the first born males becoming the next chief will have change, and the challenges he has to overcome by letting a female become leader and breaking the tradition and letting a girl be in control. Duncan Petrie, New Zealand, in M. Hjort, D. Petrie (ed), The Cinema of Small Nations, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2007. Koro sees it as a sign of his failure and despairs further. 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." 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 symbolism from the beginning foreshadows Pais future as a leader: a close up of the crying babys green eye mirrors the close up of a whales eye. 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. It does not march obediently to standard plot requirements but develops an unexpected crisis and an unexpected solution. Sep 30, 2014. On the other hand, it is a drama about relationship of a young girl and her grandfather. At one point Paikea decides to leave with her father because her grandfather is mistreating her. 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. 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. It helped me pass my exam and the test questions are very similar to the practice quizzes on Study.com. 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 program saw the city offer up to $1,200 for anyone looking to buy an electric bike, an additional $500 was also available for anyone considering a cargo bike. Soon after, there is another mass group of beached whales. In a small New Zealand coastal village, Maori claim descent from Paikea, the Whale Rider. The picture book by Colin Thompson,, Beneath the Clouds, Ivan Sen, Road Movie 2002, shows perceptions of personal discovery. Despite his anger, he will come, won't he? A letter she wrote to Rawiri while he was in Papua New Guinea read, "'I am seven. In the arena of urban international competitiveness, cities try to raise their profile by We use cookies to offer you the best experience. She uses her gifts of communicating with nature to save a beached pod of whales, and because of that she is finally accepted. 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. $18.75 + $3.65 shipping. When she returns, her grandfather acts as if nothing has happened, and focuses more on the task at hand, finding somebody to lead the tribe. This essay has been submitted by a student. 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. Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones | Summary, Themes & Analysis, Themes in A Brave and Startling Truth by Maya Angelou | Examples & Analysis, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck | Summary & Analysis, The Drover's Wife: Summary, Themes & Analysis, Migrant Mother by Dorothea Lange | Facts & Photograph Analysis, A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen | Summary, Characters & Analysis, Observing Changes in Natural Phenomena Over Time, On the Sidewalk Bleeding by Evan Hunter | Summary & Themes, A Midsummer Night's Dream Language: Techniques & Analysis, Native American Oral Tradition | Heritage, Influence & Mythology, Elizabeth in Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen | Context, Character & Analysis, "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie | Summary & Themes, Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde | Quotes, Analysis & Summary, Biddy in Great Expectations by Charles Dickens | Character & Analysis, Little Red Riding Hood | Theme, Moral & Analysis, The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros | Summary, Analysis & Themes, The Man With the Twisted Lip: Themes & Analysis, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle | Conflicts & Analysis. Need a custom essay sample written specially to meet your The film shows New Zealanders, as an example for the rest of the world, that the past civilizations and cultures can continue to live on in harmony with todays world. As well as this journeys can be a positive and negative experience. Journey involves interacting with new people and environments, which ultimately results in the change of the person. The movie, which takes place in the present day in New Zealand, begins with the birth of twins. 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. The girl, Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes) survives. 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. Get entertainment recommendations for your unique personality and find out which of 5,500+ For Bill Ashcroft et al. Her father, Porourangi, and Koro convinced Nanny Flowers that this was a good idea. Whale Rider is a 2002 drama film directed by Niki Caro, based on the novel of the same name. The first is of an indigenous girl named Kahu in a New Zealand Maori village who rediscovers the power of her people's belief that their ancestors came to their island on the backs of whales. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. 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. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. A Maori family, despite their beliefs or rituals, can be just like an American family, or any other one. 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. The film Whale rider is considered to be a personal and family drama, showing that families even in the most far away parts of the world have similar relations and personal problems. 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. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. what's in your head? The beautifully poetic style and twin narrative lends itself to the analysis of language.To automatically receive all the latest news on New Windmills, why not sign-up for our Heinemann Literature eNewsletter? This is traditionally reserved for males. The whales are safe again once man respects nature and the ocean again. "Whale Rider" arrives in theaters already proven as one of the great audience-grabbers of recent years. Koro is the chief of these people. Pai, an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, believes she is destined to be the new chief. He explains to Nanny that his son can have another child. Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand, and Whangaras citizens do their best to carry on their traditions in the modern day. Im not a prophet, but I know that our people will keep going forward, all together, with all of their strength.. 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. 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. Summary, Pages 3 (537 words) Views. Just talk to our smart assistant Amy and she'll connect you with the best 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. Bill Ashcroft, Gareth Griffiths and Helen Tiffin, Key Concepts in Post-Colonial Studies, London and New York, Routledge, 1998. Graduateway.com is owned and operated by Radioplus Experts Ltd 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. Rated PG-13 match. 'I heard helicopters whirling around and the ships in the river using all their sirens - a whale had 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. 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. The girl in question is Paikea, performed magnificently by Keisha Castle-Hughes in a role for which she was . The story takes place in New Zealand where the Maori people of a small village claim descent from the Whale Rider, Paikea. Nanny Flowers has often threatened to divorce Koro over his treatment of Kahu. Kahu's great-grandmother Nanny Flowers loves Kahu and does not care that she is not a boy, and has tried to convince Koro to accept her. Sison (2012: 134) proposes that this ending follows a particular theological trajectory, with Paikeas symbolic reincarnation having a transformative impact on the community. 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. Whale Rider is a drama film of the 2002, based on the novel of Witi Ihimaera, and directed by Niki Caro. Would you like to have an original essay? Pai feels that she can become the leader, although theres no precedent for a woman to do so, and is determined to succeed. 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. Lyrics to Whalerider Found A Lie: This is another story About how things have changed Everything that i knew Was a lie You turn me upside down You shouldn't cross the line tonight Wish i could turn around And leave it all behind So i broke your heart To look A nations culture resides in the heart and soul of its people- Mahatma Gandi and this culture is kept alive by what they do. To take advantage of all of CharacTours features, you need your own personal He left for New Zealand to pursue his art career, leaving Pai behind to be raised by her grandparents and aunts. Copyright 2023 service.graduateway.com. Those who support this Festivals have been present in people's life for ages. Another example of how the culture is unhealthy is when Pai goes to her uncle Rawiris house to ask if he can teach her taiaha, the uncle is just lying down being lazy with his wife smoking. Whale Rider is a contemporary re-telling of the 1000-year-old legend about legendary first ancestor named Paikea. The Chief of their tribe is her grandfather Koro, but there is no one to in line after him. Please enable Javascript and hit the button below! 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. What is more, Porourangi has returned with his German fianc to finish his waka and celebrate with his people. The film Whale Rider tells the fictional story of Pai, a twelve-year-old girl living with her grandparents in the small community of Whangara on the coast of New Zealand. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. 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. Paikea: My name is Paikea Apirana, and I come from a long line of chiefs stretching all the way back to the whale rider. 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. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 88,000 Rehua's family wanted to raise her in their tribe. Pai, an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, believes she is destined to be the new chief. When Pai is the only remaining family descendent, Koro becomes aggravated because she is female and will not be able to carry on the tradition of men as leaders. Paikea trains in secret, eavesdropping on Koros classes, determined to learn all she can of her ancestral customs. However, Koro was late, and as he was walking to the school, he notices that numerous right whales are beached near Pais home. 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. (1998: 139), this highlights a form of colonial mimicry, whereby the indigenous population adopts the colonisers cultural habits. The leader is usually a male, and because pai is a female, her grandfather, koro is unhappy about her birth. Nanny Flowers: Pais grandmother Porourangi: Pais father Rawiri: Pais uncle 1. All rights reserved. She completes her expected tasks of singing during concerts, escorting the boys into the marae, and leading the other girls in their performance. Whale Rider shows so many interesting and emotional themes: failure and hope, strength, and determination, all of them are witnessed in the points of past, present, and future ideals. 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. to help you write a unique paper. what's in your head right now? When Pai is found and brought to the hospital, Koro declares her the leader and asks her forgiveness. We're here to answer any questions you have about our services. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Only Koro had failed to turn up; distant cries had drawn him to the beach where a pod of whales lay dying. It would have been Pais father or her twin brother if either of them were still around. Whale Rider Photo Credit: Everett Collection Character Analysis (Avoiding Spoilers) Growing Up without ever knowing her mother or twin brother. Pai believes that she could serve as the chief, but her grandfather, despite his love, fiercely opposes this idea. She struggles to gain the approval of her grandfather and her people. Much to his dismay, none of the boys retrieve the pendant and Koro returns to shore, despondent. She has used a number of cinematic techniques in this film to create atmosphere and sometimes show what the character is feeling. convincing her grandfather, Koro, that even though shes a girl, shes still worthy to become leader of the tribe. Koros adoption of Western/Pakeha clothing and his noticeable reliance on modern technologies (i.e. 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. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you 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. Porourangi would be next in line but has no interest in returning home. The most rewarding of these is that of Pai and her grandfather. 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. Palacio Discussion Questions, Rules by Cynthia Lord Discussion Questions, The Breadwinner: Summary, Characters & Quotes, Black and White by Paul Volponi Discussion Questions, Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine Discussion Questions, Short Stories Lesson Plans for Middle School, Common Core ELA - Speaking and Listening Grades 11-12: Standards, Study.com ACT® Test Prep: Practice & Study Guide, Study.com SAT Test Prep: Practice & Study Guide, Study.com PSAT Test Prep: Practice & Study Guide, Writing Review for Teachers: Study Guide & Help, Reading Review for Teachers: Study Guide & Help, College English Literature: Help and Review, Common Core ELA Grade 8 - Literature: Standards, Common Core ELA Grade 8 - Language: Standards, Common Core ELA Grade 8 - Writing: Standards, EPT: CSU English Language Arts Placement Exam, How to Gather Knowledge About New Vocabulary Words, Enumerative Bibliography: Definition & Examples, Simile vs. Metaphor: Differences & Examples, Reverse Personification: Definition & Examples, Sir Thomas Wyatt: Biography, Poems & Sonnets, The Aspern Papers by Henry James: Summary & Analysis, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. Paikeas grandmother, Nanny Flowers, reveals that Rawiri was once a champion taiahi fighter, and asks him to tutor Pai. 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. She climbs on the back of the ancient bull whale as it dives deep into the sea. Years later Koro is determined to find a leader and begins to teach and train the boys, in which Pai is not allowed to join because she is a girl. I highly recommend you use this site! 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. Journeys can be both physical and emotional. This raises the question what is family? Relationship Status unattached. I would definitely hire her again! Her mother died giving birth, and her twin brother never had a chance.