The whale rider by witi ihimaera, jay lagaaia, audiobook. In whale rider the main example of sacrificial love is seen through paikeas self sacrifice for her community and traditions. It explores themes of duty, culture and tradition through the eyes of paikea apirana. Whale rider 2008, a new zealand film based on the novel by witi ihimaera, describes a. The whale rider 2003 read online free book by witi. The whale rider starts a thousand years ago, with a pod of whales. Although disregarded by her grandfather and shunned by the people of her village, twelveyearold pai. 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. The emphasis on maori culture and myth allow us to classify whale rider as a film that shows the protagonist, pai, being unable go home and to understand it through a connection between myth, culture, and family. May 01, 2003 written in 1987, the whale rider is a deceptively short book. Many elements of nature and other religions demonstrate rebirth themes. The death of a mother and baby in childbirth is very sad.
She is a surviving twin, her brother and mother died during childbirth. Whale rider arrives in theaters already proven as one of the great audiencegrabbers of recent years. It is leading its herd in search of safer waters, but at the same time it struggles to come to terms with its deep love for the ancient whale rider, now long dead, who once had been its dearest companion. The whale rider themes what does the director suggest about the themes of culture, leadership and expectations. Whale rider is a sweetnatured, but problematic, movie about a young girl trying to find her place within a patriarchal maori tribe in contemporary new zealand. The taniwha is the mythological whale or sea creature that paikea the ancestor rode on to lead the way to aeoteara new zealand originally. The biggest whale, the founder of maori culture, has a special relationship with the whale rider, a young man who sits upon its back. Its importance and possible impact on young girls will be discussed in the paper with special reference to the story of the book. Before you start, have a look at the sample frame below. Directed and written by niki caro, the film is based on witi ihimaeras novel the whale rider. Within this contemporaryfairy tale, whale rider also entails a spiritual bond that the main character, paikea, has with a quasimystical creature. The world and its creatures are often described using religious terminology. Whale rider is a story directed by niko caro about a young maori girl named pai.
The film is based on the book the whale rider by witi ihimaera. The theme in whale rider is to never give up in what you believe in or your culture or traditions. The theme of rebirth and resurrection in this film can be seen as a christian theme symbolizing jesus rebirth after the crucifixion. Myth comes from the greek word mythos, meaning story or word, which show more content. In whale rider, pai awakening in the hospital is an example of rebirth and resurrection. The whale mothers look over their young while the single leader whalethe bull whalereminisces about his own youth so long ago, and the precious time he spent with the whale rider. The whale rider is a story about a maori girl named kahu, who dreams of being the. Whale rider is set in the maori community of new zealand. While kahu was visiting the family when she was two years old, she saw. Film is adapted from the novel whale rider first published 1987 by witi ihimaera.
A book of the names and address of people living in a city. Plenty of rich themes are found in ihimaeras the whale rider. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of whale rider by witi ihimaera. Then, use the book excerpt and translate it into single frames. The whale in this context of whangara takes on the mythical origins of the taniwha but also serves as a lineage to paikeas mythological escape story. Whale rider exemplified the ideology of patriarchy perfectly because of how koro ran his tribe. Whale rider mat no 10 storyboarding read the following excerpt from the book the whale rider. In the ways of the ancients, she found a hope for the future. In the story, her goal is to prove to her grandfather that she is capable of becoming the next tribal leader.
The whale rider by witi ihimaera penguin books australia. The whale rider quotes showing 18 of 8 he loved them deeply, but sometimes love becomes a power game between the ambitions that parents have for their. Whale rider contains excellent performances, pro family themes, and a prayer to god at one point that. Myth, culture, and family in whale rider essay 1012. The whale rider themes sacredness of nature and corruption of man a key theme of the story is the sacredness of nature. The whale mothers look over their young while the single leader whale the bull whale reminisces about his own youth so long ago, and the precious time he spent with the whale rider. 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. Oct 14, 2017 witi ihimaeras novel, the whale rider, is unique as it has twin plots running side by side. Leadership styles observed in whale rider dannette allen.
This knowledge of and connection to maori ancestors is a central theme in whale rider. The role of chief is always passed onto a male, but there is no male heir, only kahu. The world premiere was on september 2002, at the toronto international film festival. The whale rider 2002 summary and analysis uk essays. In such movies as whale rider, about a 12yearold maori girl who dreams of becoming her tribes first female chief, and north country, based on the. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. What are the symbols in whale rider and what significance. She has a disciplined mind in her habits of working until she masters a skill. Blending legend with a reality thats both gritty and beautiful, this novel was made into a movie that was released in the united. Despite its focus on maori culture, the themes in whale rider are universal and highlight important communication principles. Through the account of the maori individuals of new zealand and their legacytraditions, the reader will be acquainted with new another socially assorted gathering of individuals. Feminist themes in witi ihimaeras essay 1897 words.
While pai lives in present day whangara, new zealand with her grandparents, maori tradition maintains that the leadership should. The beginning of the story introduces the idea that man and nature are. It takes place in a small village of new zealand where the maori people live whale rider media ed. Jun 20, 2003 whale rider arrives in theaters already proven as one of the great audiencegrabbers of recent years. The whale rider study guide contains a biography of author witi ihimaera, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and 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. But now we were waiting for the firstborn of the new generation, for the descendant of the whale rider. The story follows a 12yearold maori girl named paikea apirana who struggles to earn her grandfathers.
Theres brief strong language regarding female and male genitalia. Create your own storyboard using the template on the next page. Analysis of the whale rider essay example graduateway. The movie focuses on the story of a young girl, paikea, and her grandfather, koro.
Her greatgrandfather is chief of the whangara, who are descendants of a legendary whale rider. The new zealand film whale rider tells the story of 12year old pai, a maori girl whose ancestor paikea was the whale rider. What does the waka in whale rider represent answers. My name is paikea apirana and i come from a long line of chiefs, stretching all the way back to the whale. Only kahu understands that she is the whale rider, and that she must guide the whales back to the safety of the sea. Whale rider is a magical tale of survival, stubbornness and destiny. She is willing to sacrifice her own life to protect and continue her community and familys traditions and beliefs. Themes in whale rider essays free essays studymode. Ancestor of the people of te tai rawhiti, he travelled from hawaiki, the place of the ancients, to the east coast of new zealand. The indie film whale rider is an engrossing character drama with an inspirational message. Pai also embodies many of the five minds that gardner 2008 outlines in his book. These two share many common themes such as sexism, discrimination, and loss. Whale rider this module has been designed to accompany the film whale rider 2003.
The books narrator, kahus uncle rawiri, then explains that the tribes first chief. We learn that sometimes the expectations that family have of us may not allow us to. Whale rider is a 2002 film that was based on the book the whale rider by witi ihimaera film education. With keisha castlehughes, rawiri paratene, vicky haughton, cliff curtis. Its a beautiful retelling of an old maori legend, and the themes are transcendent. Since whale rider is set in new zealand and the story is about a maori tribe, a lot of the words used are traditional maori words, making it a little tricky to follow along. 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. A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize. We see the power of significant others to affect our self esteem, and the fact that, against strong odds, it is possible to assert ourselves and create an identity of our own. The whale rider is a 1987 novel by new zealander witi ihimaera. Whale rider is a 2002 new zealandgerman family drama film written and directed by niki caro. The story takes place in new zealand where the maori people of a small village claim descent from the whale rider, paikea. You are in for a bit of an emotional rollercoaster with whale rider. She is the protagonist in this film and narrates sections too.
This digital cdrom study guide considers and tracks the themes of the film. Now, so many years after their separation, the nostalgia for their time spent together cuts away at the old bull whale. As you follow kahu and her family, youll soon realize that theyre not that different from you and your family. Whale rider follows the journey of eleven year old paikea apirana. According to legend, the maori came to whangara when their great leader paikea led them by riding on a whale. By tradition, the leader should be the firstborn son a.
The film whale rider is considered to be a personal and family drama. In the book, our narrator from the beginning is a different rawiri. Kahu, an eightyearold maori girl, adores her greatgrandfather, koro apirana, but he pays her little attention. Jan 01, 1987 written in 1987, the whale rider is a deceptively short book. The whale rider the films plot follows the story of paikea apirana paiin the book, her name is kahu, short for kahutia te rangi, a 12yearold 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. Her grandfather koro apirana believes that this is a role reserved for males only. Sep 30, 2017 the whale rider, by witi ihimaera, is rich in thematic concerns. Myth comes from the greek word mythos, meaning story or. Immersive writing that draws on close connections between maori mythology and family. The message in the film shows that anyone can be a leader if they have the confidence and belief in themselves that they can make a change, inspire and empower others people.
When paikea rides on the back of a whale just as her ancestor had, it shows a sign of a true leader, specifically to the maori culture. The whale rider study guide contains a biography of author witi ihimaera, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary. They struggle, fight, laugh, cry and have no idea how to make things perfect. Koro, the leader of a community that was once dominated my ancient rules and laws passed down many generations, struggles to find a suitable leader who can improve the way of life and bring back the. The mythical story of the whales told alongside the story of kahu discusses various important issues. I am always on the lookout for films with positive messages, and especially when they give kids insights to another country or culture. Use this lesson plan to increase student comprehension for the whale rider by witi ihimaera. When youre sorting yourself out, family are not often the ones you can turn to. Other relatives of his have already done so, changing their names. Viewers are introduced to different characters throughout the movie, who have different opinions. Plenty of rich themes are found in ihimaeras the whale. Only 120 pages long, its a richly layered story dealing with several major social issues. The whale rider abstract whale rider is a drama film of the 2002, based on the novel of witi ihimaera, and directed by niki caro.
Her people claim descent from kahutia te rangi, the legendary whale rider. The whale rider is a story about a maori girl named kahu, who dreams of being the chief of her tribe. Characters drink and smoke, and theres a brief drug reference a bag of marijuana and drug paraphernalia are shown. Comprehension and discussion activities for the film whale. Can someone compare the whale rider book and movie to me i. The movie begins with the birth of twins, the latest in that line. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. Niki caro based on the book by witi ihimaera prezi by. Pais grandfather believes that only capable boys are allowed to be the leaders, which blinds him in seeing his granddaughters passion as his successor. Based on the novel of the same name by witi ihimaera, the film stars keisha castlehughes as kahu paikea apirana, a twelveyearold maori girl whose ambition is to become the chief of the tribe. The book is interesting and the audience will without a doubt have tears and also laugher through the pages of the story.
The film whale rider tells the fictional story of pai, a twelveyearold girl. His story is shadowed by treachery in hawaiki, where a battle took place over family status and rivalries, and ended in the slaughter by ruatapu of some 70 brothers, his senior kin. On the other hand, when her former lover zhichen came to visit her family, she. The bull whale is an ancient whale, about 65 feet long. They represent the place of departure and not the place of arrival.
For generations, this tribe was always told that a man is to be the leader. The two narratives, the whales and kahus birth, are told by an omniscient and firstperson. My twin brother died, and took our mother with him. The first greatgrandchild of the whanau, she was loved by all her relatives except the one whose love she needed mosther greatgrandfather. Ever since, the maori have been led by the descendants of that leader. Whale rider is an internationally successful new zealand film focusing on indigenous cultural issues. Students will read an informational text to summarize the book s plot and analyze key events before. Parents need to know that whale rider has some tense family confrontations. The movie whale rider, directed by niki caro, have many things in common with the book nervous conditions, written in 2002 by tsitsi dangarembga. Myth, culture, and family in whale rider essay 1012 words. Can you provide an example a scene character quote symbol from the film that shows this theme. Both films explore the theme of culture and ideology conflicts. She is a maori girl living with her grandparents in their small community. She is the first child of her generation in the chiefs family, and her.