whale rider analysis whale rider analysis

If you need assistance with writing your essay, our professional essay writing service is here to help! 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. 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. 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. Editor: David Coulson. Dont Koro Pais grandfather has been waiting for the first born of the new generation who would be chief. This novel unfolds the history of the Maori Tribe that by tradition the new chief would be the first born son directly descended from their ancient ancestor Paikea. Study for free with our range of university lectures! So The Whale Rider shows deep levels of character development: as we see Koros great sadness, Nannys love for the family, and how Pais. 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. The girl in question is Paikea, performed magnificently by Keisha Castle-Hughes in a role for which she was . Which will talk about where she comes from. $18.75 + $3.65 shipping. 'I heard helicopters whirling around and the ships in the river using all their sirens - a whale had Get entertainment recommendations for your unique personality and find out which of 5,500+ 'The Whale Rider' tells the story of a girl destined to be a leader of her people. To make matters worse, he names his daughter Paikea, which angers Koro who sees this as a mockery of Ngati Konohi customs and tradition. 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. 10 of the best book quotes from The Whale Rider. Koros high standards make him look stubborn and that is why he pushes Pai away from him. 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. 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. 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. Unknown to all, she had won an inter-school speech contest with a touching dedication to Koro and the traditions of the village. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. Koros adoption of Western/Pakeha clothing and his noticeable reliance on modern technologies (i.e. 808 certified writers online. Living in Whangara, a small Maori village in New Zealand. He admonishes Pai against touching the largest whale because she has done enough damage with her presumption. Paikea trains in secret, eavesdropping on Koros classes, determined to learn all she can of her ancestral customs. 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. 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. Pai later proves herself to Koro at the near end of the book. By tradition, the leader should be the first-born son a direct patrilineal descendant of Paikea, aka Kahutia Te Rangi in the book, the Whale Rider he who rode on top of a whale from Hawaiki. Koro decides to form a cultural school for the village boys, hoping to find a new leader. 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. In the beginning, the Manchu people were into agriculture. Whale Rider is the story of a girl, Pai, whose twin brother and mother die in child birth. By using these techniques Niki has created a film that is emotionally connected to the viewers., b. If you need this sample, insert an email and we'll deliver it to you. Pathetic Fallacy in Literature Overview & Examples | What is the Pathetic Fallacy? This hero is an unlikely one, a small girl, from a small tribe, in a small village in New Zealand. 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. She has used a number of cinematic techniques in this film to create atmosphere and sometimes show what the character is feeling. So many films by and about teenagers are mired in vulgarity and stupidity; this one, like its heroine, dares to dream. While the grandfather is explaining about the ancestors, hes trying to start the engine but the rope breaks. Koro sees it as a sign of his failure and despairs further. 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 Routledge Encyclopedia of Films, Edited by Sarah Barrow, Sabine Haenni and John White, first published in 2015. He explains to Nanny that his son can have another child. 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. The theme ofWhale Rideris female empowerment is not unique, but the context in which it is presented is very interesting and unusual. To become the next chief., A journey is a physical or psychological adventure that takes from one place to another. At one point Paikea decides to leave with her father because her grandfather is mistreating her. This video fits the requirement for the Whale Rider video analysis of Dr. Ann McClellan's Global Literature class at Plymouth State University. 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 whale leads the entire pod back into the sea; Paikea nearly drowns in the process. 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. All People have the same emotions: they upset and cry, they feel happy and laugh. Whale Rider, then, brings into question the notion of postcolonial identity within New Zealand, with a renewal of tribal values being presented as the means by which the Maori people learn to adapt to the modern-day demands of urbanisation. 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. They are a replication of the broadly understood human culture (Falassi, 1987). This upsets Paikeas grandfather who out of nger says that he does not need Paikea, and that she is just a hassle. 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 explains to her about her ancestors and he uses a rope to demonstrate how the strings from the rope represent her ancestors. 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? Even the elder women of the community are shown playing cards and smoking. 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. Koro had believed that Porourangis first-born was destined to be the boy who would be chief, responsible for leading the community into a new age of prosperity, and he initially refuses to acknowledge his granddaughter. The Chief of their tribe is her grandfather Koro, but there is no one to in line after him. 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. 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. Caro effectively uses the different generations starting with the eldest, that of Koro and other traditional leaders, to the youngest generation of Paikea through a complex story that shows traditional change. Please note! 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. 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. Another example is how Pais father leaves Pai with Koro while hes in Germany pursuing his career as an artist. 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. The Whale Rider Witi Ihimaera 3.83 9,773 ratings1,111 reviews Eight-year-old Kahu craves her great-grandfather's love and attention. 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. All rights reserved. Lyrics to Whalerider What's in Your Head? Relationship Status unattached. 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. 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 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. Traveling, in basketball, is a player taking too many steps without dribbling. Whale Rider, then, brings into question the notion of postcolonial identity within New Zealand, with a renewal of tribal values being presented as the means by which the Maori people learn to adapt to the modern-day demands of urbanisation. 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. These texts show how the physical journey affects the travellers and causes a change in them., Niki Caro directed the film 'The Whale Rider'. This essay was written by a fellow student. Which gives citizens the right to uphold laws when governments are too scared to do so. Shes only twelve years old. The story takes place in the small town Whangara in New Zealand. Ruined by Lynn Nottage | Play, Characters, and Analysis, Analyzing & Interpreting Literature for Teachers: Professional Development, Teaching Young Adult Books & High School Literature, CAHSEE English Exam: Test Prep & Study Guide, MTLE Communication Arts/Literature: Practice & Study Guide, Literary Analysis: Lesson Plans & Activities, Famous Authors Lesson Plans & Teaching Resources, OAE School Library Media Specialist (041) Prep, Statistics for Teachers: Professional Development, Beginning Spanish for Teachers: Professional Development, Gerontology for Teachers: Professional Development, Sociology for Teachers: Professional Development, Physical Science for Teachers: Professional Development, Natural Sciences for Teachers: Professional Development, World Religions for Teachers: Professional Development, Create an account to start this course today. Another reason why Koro pushes her away is because he believes that everything went wrong when she was born. One day Koro summons all of the young teenage boys of the village to a series of compulsory lessons on how to be a Maori, and the leader of Maoris. However, Koro was late, and as he was walking to the school, he notices that numerous right whales are beached near Pais home. 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. Consequently, people must boycott companies like SeaWorld so that captive orcas can be set free into sanctuaries. 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. As such, the film does not present a simple rejection of modernity, rather it is the recovery of tradition in modernity, and sometimes against identity, that makes possible the renewal of identity of Paikeas people (Smith 2006: 116). Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. 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. By what name was Whale Rider (2002) officially released in India in English? "Whale Rider" arrives in theaters already proven as one of the great audience-grabbers of recent years. : hey you why are we walking trough? Copyright 2023 service.graduateway.com. 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. Whale Rider 15th Anniversary Edition . 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. Some of those themes are Dont Give Up, Independence, Abuse, Love, Happiness, and Teamwork. The most rewarding of these is that of Pai and her grandfather. Graduateway.com is owned and operated by Radioplus Experts Ltd Indeed, as Ryan Mottesheard (2003) argues, the film should be understood less as anthropological study of the Maori people, than a universal story of female empowerment, thus highlighting the films global appeal. We`ll do boring work for you. 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. She made a loud sound and the whales dove into the water, as if Kahu was warning them. Whale Rider is a contemporary re-telling of the 1000-year-old legend about legendary first ancestor named Paikea. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny. In one scene, Hami, the most promising student in Koros school, challenges Pai to a taiahi duel, which Pai eventually wins. Spirituality & Practice: Resources for Spiritual Journeys The 2003 movie Whale Rider is a wonderful story, aptly described in this IMDB plot summary: A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize. The series is part of the celebrations of the 50th . Choose your writer among 300 professionals! 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). Pais father refuses to assume traditional leadership; instead he moves to Germany to pursue a career as an artist. Irving develops a fable based on truth by setting Rip's story in a village close to the Catskill Mountains and by placing the occasions before and after the American Revolutionary War. 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. Ever since the time of the whale rider, Kahu's tribe has been ruled by a male chief. So it may be considered as the film about interpersonal relations. Whale Rider is a 2002 drama film directed by Niki Caro, based on the novel of the same name. 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. 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. Chapter 1 begins in myth, and myths explain what was once unexplainable to a people. characters are most like you. This shows how Koro does not want anything to do with Pai. 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. Ihimaera was inspired to write the book in 1985 while living in an apartment in New York overlooking the Hudson River. 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. Whale Rider is the story of a girl, Pai, whose twin brother and mother die in child birth. No plagiarism guarantee. report, Analysis of the Whale Rider. Interests whatever the boys are doing. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. The film gained much respect from critics, it went on in film festivals such as Sundance and Tribecca, and gained international recognition. On the other hand, it is a drama about relationship of a young girl and her grandfather. The Whale Rider tells two stories. Unfortunately the tradition was broken when Pais twin brother passes away. The other text that I have studied Bran Nue Dae is also a good example of this. Koros relationship with Pai erodes further when none of the boys succeed at the traditional task of recovering the rei puta (whale tooth) that he threw into the ocean this mission would prove one of them worthy of becoming leader. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you The techniques that the composer uses to express the journeys are personification, onomatopoeia, repetition, similes, metaphors, music and acting skills., Whale Talk is a book of many themes. 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. Only Koro had failed to turn up; distant cries had drawn him to the beach where a pod of whales lay dying. The main social issue that is brought up by the film is the function of the woman in a world controlled mostly by men. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny. Many centuries ago a legendary ancestor named Paikea brought there the Maori people, who still lives there. They are the Sea Shepherds and they operate under the United Nations World Charter for Nature. 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. The whale leads the rest of the whales back into the sea, while this is happening Nanny gives Koro the whale tooth, which Pai had gotten. It is also implied that Koro had previously alienated Pais uncle Rawiri, who, given the fact he was not Koros firstborn son, was never considered a suitable leader for the tribe, leading him to lose touch with his Maori heritage. What Koro does not understand is that Pai is the leader they have been waiting for. 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. Then man arrived from the east, and the relationship between nature and man throve. The Essay Writing ExpertsUK Essay Experts. When the audience is watching the film, they compare their own family experiences with the ones in the story. 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. 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. Challenge. Correct writing styles (it is advised to use correct citations) 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. The story takes place in New Zealand where the Maori people of a small village claim descent from the Whale Rider, Paikea. And he came on the back of a whale, a man to lead a new people, our ancestor, Paikea Lesson Plans for English Language Arts and Literature. 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. Koro takes it upon himself to arrange another partner for his son, a teacher from Pais school, who he believes will deliver Porourangi a male child. But, no, her people need her--whether or not her grandfather realizes it. Here you can choose which regional hub you wish to view, providing you with the most relevant information we have for your specific region. 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. All work is written to order. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . Porourangi would be next in line but has no interest in returning home. The movie shows this visually and thematically all throughout the story. Much to his dismay, none of the boys retrieve the pendant and Koro returns to shore, despondent. Get original paper in 3 hours and nail the task. In The Whale Rider, Kahu helps to cook and garden with Nanny Flower. Home / Essay Samples / Entertainment / Movies / Whale Rider. We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. what's in your head right now? 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. She climbs on the back of the ancient bull whale as it dives deep into the sea. 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. *You can also browse our support articles here >. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny. It's not just an uplifting ending, but a transcendent one, inspired and inspiring, and we realize how special this movie really is. requirements? 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. Sison (2012: 134) proposes that this ending follows a particular theological trajectory, with Paikeas symbolic reincarnation having a transformative impact on the community. Pai herself is interested in the leadership, learning traditional songs and dances, and Taiaha fighting a traditional stick fighting method used by the Maori men. 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. some symbols in the whale rider are the whale, the whale rider, the waka, and the taiha. The Whale Rider is a 1987 novel by New Zealand author Witi Ihimaera. Journeys can be both physical and emotional. Those who support this Festivals have been present in people's life for ages. She glows. Fall 2014. They attempt to move the largest bull whale using a tractor, but it is a problem that cannot be resolved by modern technology. As for Pai, all she wants to do is to earn Koros respect this point is brightly illustrated in the scene where she gives a speech dedicated to Koro. She finished the paper in a timely manner! copyright 2003-2023 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. drug reference momentary along with brief language is Whale Rider Obituaries Death Notices Newspaper Obituaries Online April 30th, 2018 - Legacy com is the leading provider of online obituaries for the . From this point of view, the film establishes a personal form of communication in the family, despite all cultural, racial, and geographical boundaries.