What are the major themes in the Whale Rider?
What are the major themes in the Whale Rider?
The Whale Rider Themes
- Sacredness of Nature and Corruption of Man. A key theme of the story is the sacredness of nature.
- Tradition vs. Modernity.
- Racism and Cultural Identity.
- Love.
- Female Role Models vs.
- Rigid Literalism vs.
- The Cyclical Nature of Time.
How does PAI show leadership in Whale Rider?
Pai, the born leader Throughout the novel and the film, she has to, not only, fulfil the tribe’s expectations but also to go beyond them. Her qualities and skills are noticed by all of the people around her. She learns the ways of her community and shows resilience, persistence and dignity.
What does the whale symbolize in Whale Rider?
In the film Whale Rider, the whale represents life and death. The whale represents life because it is the mammal on which Paikea’s great ancestor rode across the ocean reaching New Zealand which eventually became the settlement of the Maori people.
What is the main conflict in the Whale Rider?
The main conflicts of the film are between Pai and her grandfather, as well as Koro and Porourangi when the man refuses to become the chief and leaves. The first conflict is only resolved when the Koro sees the evidence that the girl is ready to become the leader when she manages to return the whale into the sea.
What is the plot of Whale Rider?
Only males are allowed to ascend to chiefdom in a Maori tribe in New Zealand. This ancient custom is upset when the child selected to be the next chief dies at birth. However his twin sister, Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes), survives. At age 12, she enlists the help of her grandmother (Vicky Haughton) and the training of her uncle (Grant Roa) to claim her birthright. But to break with convention, she’ll have to do the impossible: win over her ultra-traditional grandfather (Rawiri Paratene).
Whale Rider/Film synopsis
Why does Pai live with her grandparents?
Pai’s grandfather and chief, doesn’t believe that women should be chief. Pai lives with her grandparents. She is adventurous, and wants to be chief despite what Koro says.
What film techniques are used in Whale Rider?
Niki Caro directed the film ‘The Whale Rider’. She has used a number of cinematic techniques in this film to create atmosphere and sometimes show what the character is feeling. These three well-used techniques are camera shots, lighting and sound and dialogue.
What is the story of the Whale Rider?
Is the Whale Rider based on a true story?
In such movies as Whale Rider, about a 12-year-old Maori girl who dreams of becoming her tribe’s first female chief, and North Country, based on the true story of the first class-action sexual harassment suit brought to trial, by a female miner in Minnesota, Caro explores themes of gender and power.
Why did Paikea ride the whale?
In this extract from the movie Whale rider young Paikea rides the lead whale of a stranded pod out into the sea, so that the rest will follow. This traditional account of Paikea is well-known by a number of iwi (tribes) throughout New Zealand.
What is the summary of the Whale Rider?
The summary of The Whale Rider is about a young girl, named Pai, who wants to be chief. But her Grandfather, Koro Apirana, wanted a male chief for his tradition. Pai wanted to show Koro how strong she was so he could love her. But Koro always rejected Pai just because she’s a girl.
How did Pai become the Whale Rider?
Pai accepted her fate and stayed, believing that it would mean a better Nanny Flowers was the first to notice that the whale moving with Pai along its back. Horrified, they retrieved Paikea from the water, and at this moment Porourangi released that Pai was the true Whale Rider the whole time.
How many words are in the Whale Rider?
An Analysis of Witi Ihimaera’s Whale RiderPages: 2 (411 words) Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera AnalysisPages: 4 (983 words) Whale RiderPages: 3 (764 words) The whale rider FilmPages: 5 (1311 words) Examine the Role of Rawiri in the Whale RiderPages: 4 (1052 words)
How did Paikea and Koro ride the whale?
However, when Koro walks away she climbs onto the back of the largest whale, traditionally belonging to her legendary ancestor, Paikea – The Whale Rider, and coaxes it back to re-enter the ocean. The whale leads the entire pod back into the sea, Paikea holding onto its back, and nearly drowning in the process.
