In films created with the female gaze, females are given the rare opportunity of being the central role. Griefstricken, porourangi leaves pai to be raised by her grandparents. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing whale rider near you. The whale rider study guide contains a biography of author witi ihimaera, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a. The last gift, however, refuses to be given, flinging itself across a thousand years to wait for the time when it will be needed. The taniwha is the mythological whale or sea creature that paikea the ancestor rode on to lead the way to aeoteara new zealand originally. Analysis of witi ihimaeras the whale rider on the basis of. Jan 01, 1987 the whale rider was a book i was quite drawn to, as i am a kiwi, and i love new zealand. First published in 1987 in new zealandthe authors homeland as well as.
From the start, paikea, or pai, is a woman in a mans. Religious themes in whale rider sacrificial love sacrificial love describes the action of sacrificing oneself to stop torment or suffering of another person or group of people. 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. The whale rider is a very touching and unique movie which evolves around the tradition of maori, which are the indigenous people of new zealand. By tradition, the leader should be the firstborn son a. How characterisation builds up the story in the whale rider saturday october 28 2017 lucy kamau takes a look at koro apirana, kahu and nani flowers in witi ihamaeras book. Whale rider arrives in theaters already proven as one of the great audiencegrabbers of recent years. Whale rider summary and analysis like sparknotes free. The movie opens with a young lady giving birth to twins.
That is why it appears to me worth analysing this text in the context of postcolonial literary studies which is the purpose of this term paper. In an opening edenlike scene, a man riding a whale gives the east coast of new zealand gifts that will make it flourish. The films plot follows the story of paikea apirana pai in 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. The whale rider directed by niki caro and written by witi ihimaera shares the same components of the story of antigone by sophocles. 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. The novel was set in whangara and it would almost have been heresy to shoot anywhere else. The biggest whale, the founder of maori culture, has a special relationship with the whale rider, a young man who sits upon its back. Whale ridershows mental experience of a maori female, pai, who is the main character and the most dazzling personality in the film.
Written in 1987, the whale rider is a deceptively short book. Also sign me up for fanmail to get updates on all things movies. 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. Both showing women having to fight harder for what they want than the average man. Create your own storyboard using the template on the next page. Whale rider when talking about choosing the location to shoot whale rider, the films producer, john barnett says.
The films plot follows the story of paikea apirana pai in 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. Other examples relating to self sacrifice can also be seen in symbolic sacrifices of the body. Oct 28, 2017 how characterisation builds up the story in the whale rider saturday october 28 2017 lucy kamau takes a look at koro apirana, kahu and nani flowers in witi ihamaeras book. Whale rider is an internationally successful new zealand film focusing on indigenous cultural issues. Mar, 2016 the whale rider is a very touching and unique movie which evolves around the tradition of maori, which are the indigenous people of new zealand. 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. The whale rider is a 1987 novel by new zealander witi ihimaera. The whale rider 2002 summary and analysis assignment. This whale rider gives skewers a role as nurturing items to the islands, however one lance he throws years into the future, which is the season of the storys young champion kahu. Though written in two different time periods and different settings, both stories have elements of gender inequality.
Characters drink and smoke, and theres a brief drug reference a bag of marijuana and drug paraphernalia are shown. 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 first thing that struck me about the book was that its narrator is rawiri, kahus uncle. In addition to the storyform, youll also find any additional analysis or media related to the story in question. Her parents are porourangi and rehua, because kahus mom died three months after her birth. Whale rider is een film uit 2002 van niki caro, gebaseerd op het gelijknamige boek van witi ihimaera. The whale rider film is one element of a female gaze it was created to counter the idea that women cannot be the central human subject. Then, use the book excerpt and translate it into single frames.
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. She struggles to get the agreement of her grandfather and her people. 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. Eightyearold kahu, an individual from the maori tribe of whangara, new zealand, battles to demonstrate her affection, her authority, and her fate. The second thing that struck me is that the girl called paikea in the film the protagonist is in the book called kahu, in full kahutia te rangi. Character analysis of koro from the film whale rider by niki caro. Niki caro based on the book by witi ihimaera prezi by. Unfortunately her twin brother, who was supposed to be the chief of her village, died at birth and her grandfather did not want her because of her being a girl. The herd, as they breach the surface, is aware that the whale rider is still alive. The maori culture is a not known and understood by a lot of people. Its importance and possible impact on young girls will be discussed in the paper with special reference to the story of the book. The whale rider 2002 summary and analysis uk essays. Analysis of the whale rider essay example graduateway.
The whale rider themes what does the director suggest about the themes of culture, leadership and expectations. Only males are allowed to ascend to chiefdom in a maori tribe in new zealand. The whale rider is a story about a maori girl named kahu, who dreams of being the chief of her tribe. If there is a whale rider sparknotes, shmoop guide, or cliff notes, you can find a link to each study guide below. Heres where youll find analysis about the book as a whole. According to legend, the maori came to whangara when their great leader paikea led them by riding on a whale. I really felt for kahu or pai especially, and now i will look up to her as a favoured character. Theres brief strong language regarding female and male genitalia. Before watching the movie, i never even knew this culture existed. The planet premiere was on september 2002, at the toronto international film celebration. Pai is being raised by her loving grandparents, koro and nanny flowers rawiri paratene and vicky haughton.
The movie begins with the birth of twins, the latest in that line. 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. During the film, pai transforms from an unwanted child to the new village leader. Character analysis of koro from the film whale rider by. Now, so many years after their separation, the nostalgia for their time spent together cuts away at the old bull whale. Before you start, have a look at the sample frame below. Until one person prepares to make the sacrifice to save the folks. Read a plot overview of the entire book or a chapter by chapter summary and analysis. Although very adventurous and brave, pai, who should have been the first born.
Whale rider mat no 10 storyboarding read the following excerpt from the book the whale rider. Based on the novel of the same name by witi ihimaera, the film. The whale rider starts a thousand years ago, with a pod of whales. The story takes place in new zealand where the maori people of a small village claim descent from the whale rider, paikea. Whale rider takes place in present day new zealand, where a 12yearold girl named pai keisha castlehughes is growing up in an allmaori community. Sep 30, 2017 the whale rider, by witi ihimaera, is rich in thematic concerns. The whale riderabstractwhale rider is a drama film of the 2002, based on the novel of witi ihimaera, and directed by niki caro. Whale rider is the story of a female child who is not allowed to be the leader and whale rider due to her gender. Plenty of rich themes are found in ihimaeras the whale rider.
Write one descriptive sentence describing the sounds s whale makes. By tradition, the leader should be the firstborn son a direct patrilineal descendant of. But when koro walks away, she climbs onto the back of the largest whale and coaxes it to reenter the ocean. How is whale rider an example of countercinema and the female gaze. Comprehension and discussion activities for the film whale rider. Ending spoiler for whale rider 2002, plus mistakes, quotes, trivia and more. Chapter 10 kahu is 4 years old, when rawiri decides it is time he leaves whangara. Feminist themes in witi ihimaeras essay 1897 words. The death of a mother and baby in childbirth is very sad. Analysis of witi ihimaeras the whale rider on the basis. Jun 20, 2003 whale rider arrives in theaters already proven as one of the great audiencegrabbers of recent years.
The whale rider abstract whale rider is a episode film of the 2002, predicated on the book of witi ihimaera, and directed by niki caro. Characterization of kahu simon schug e2thewhalerider. Whale rider is set in the maori community of new zealand. The whale rider epilogue summary and analysis gradesaver. There are physical things that are described in the book the sweep of the bay, the island that looks.
Kahu is the protagonist in the book the whale rider. The whale rider novel is a positive and sensitive representation of maori culture and several terms from the postcolonial theory can be determined within the novel. Jun 10, 2011 kahu is the protagonist in the book the whale rider. The mythical story of the whales told alongside the story of kahu discusses various important issues. Ever since, the maori have been led by the descendants of that leader. The whale rider essays are academic essays for citation. The world premiere was on september 2002, at the toronto international film festival. The story is based on the maori claim that they are descendants from paikea, the whale rider. A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize. Whale rider this module has been designed to accompany the film whale rider 2003. This movie has given a huge insight for us all into the maori culture.
This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of whale rider by witi ihimaera. 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. Pais mother died during childbirth and her artist father has left new zealand. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of the whale rider by witi ihimaera. How characterisation builds up the story in the whale rider.
Niki caros whale rider an analysis in relation to journeys. The film gained much respect from critics, it went on in film festivals such as sundance and tribecca, and gained international recognition. Youve reached the hub for any and all dramatica analysis of whale rider. Learners are encouraged to explore the rest of the themes for further insight.
Intense haka competition at hamilton boys high school, new. She is a bright buttoneyed girl with shining skin and the youngest member of the maori tribe. Comprehension and discussion activities for the film whale. Whale rider is a 2002 new zealandgerman family drama film written and directed by niki caro.
Parents need to know that whale rider has some tense family confrontations. Can someone compare the whale rider book and movie to me i. Her grandfather koro apirana believes that this is a role reserved for males only. Plenty of rich themes are found in ihimaeras the whale. It can be seen in the bible through jesus crucifixion. Can someone give me a summary of the whale rider book. Koro, her grandfather who is the chief, refuses to acknowledge pai as the inheritor of the. See a complete list of the characters in bless me, ultima and indepth analyses of antonio, ultima, and gabriel.
The module consists of teachers notes and a handout with background information that you can copy and give to your students. Use the 1990s lecture notes in week 11 module to help with this answer and the hollywood article by kord and krimmer in the course package. If i was in english class, id write a long descript essay into the characters and the morals etc. 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. Can you provide an example a scene character quote symbol from the film that shows this theme. 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. Only 120 pages long, its a richly layered story dealing with several major social issues. 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. Whale rider summary and analysis freebooknotes found 2 sites with book summaries or analysis of whale rider. 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. An ancient whale and an eightyearold maori girl named kahu are archetypal figures in this luminous joining of myth and contemporary culture.
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