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Whale Rider Resources by Ms Quinn- Theme of identity and role expectations

1/18/2017

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Paikea must struggle to transcend the bigotries and prejudices surrounding her sex in order to assume her predestine role as tribal chief.
The theme of identity and role expectations is a dominant theme of the film ‘Whale Rider’. The film narrates the story of a Maori tribe’s quest to establish a new chief for their village. Koro Apirana is distraught as his grandson dies at birth while his twin sister survives. The fact that Koro’s grandson dies and he has no male heir to succeed him is a huge dilemma for the very worried Koro. Koro knows that the survival of his tribe is dependent on a strong leader. As a result, Koro is resentful of the fact that Paikea survived at birth whilst her twin brother died.
 
Koro is completely disillusioned by the fact that his eldest son Porourangi does not want to follow in his footsteps. Koro feels very disgruntled with Porourgani’s reluctance to assume the role of chief as he tells him: ‘I know who you were born to be, who you were meant to be’. There is a constant tension between father and son as Porourgani feels that his father does not even know who he is: ‘You don’t even know who I am’
 
Paikea senses Koro’s disappointment and she questions her father: ‘why doesn’t he want me?’  Porourgania tells Paikea that Koro is looking for ‘something that doesn’t exist anymore’ and that what Koro needs is a ‘prophet’ in order ‘to lead his people out of darkness’. Paikea cannot fulfil her grandfather’s expectations because she is a girl, thus deepening Koro’s growing sense of frustration and despair. Porourgani explains to Paikea that people have their own identities, dreams and ambitions and that Koro is wrong in dictating his destiny: ‘You can’t just decide who those people are because you want them to be’.
 Porourgani wants to live his own life in Germany pursuing his career as an artist. He does not want to be curtailed by societal or familial expectations.
 
Even though Koro loves his granddaughter, he resents her and blames her for the break in his familial line of chiefs that stretches back to the whale rider himself. He come to regard Paikea inauspiciously: ‘When she was born that’s when everything went wrong for us. That’s where we will find the answers’.Koro believes that it is his sacred duty to establish a new chief to succeed him: ‘I’m gonna need all the first born boys’ so he can teach them ‘the old ways’ of their ancestors. Koro believes that it is impossible for Paikea to succeed him as chief because she is a girl.
 
It almost appears that Paikea intuitively knows that it is her destiny to be the next chief. Even though she reveres her grandfather, she defies him several times by seeking to acquire the necessary skills to be the next chief. Koro admonishes her for learning taiaha, stick fighting: ‘I’ll deal with you later’.
 
She defies Koro once again at the religious school when she decides that she wants to sit with the boys: ‘Pai, you’re a girl, go to the back. What did I say? What did I say? Then leave. Go on’. Paikea tells Hemi the reason that she is not allowed to participate in the taiaha is because she is a girl: ‘girls aren’t allowed’.
Koro lists the qualities that a good chief should possess: strength, courage, intelligence and leadership. It is abundantly clear that throughout the film, Paikea embodies all of the necessary attributes needed to be chief. However, her gender precludes her from being, even considered.
 
Koro admonishes Paikea when the boys fail to retrieve the sacred rei puta. Koro sees this failure as foreboding doom to his community. He feels this impending doom is Paikea’s fault and he banishes her from the house: ‘Right from the beginning you knew this wasn’t for you but you kept coming back’. Paikea is very distraught by her grandfather’s rejection of her. Both her grandmother and Uncle Rawiri’s girlfriend try to reassure Paikea: ‘It’s just for a little while’.
 
Koro explains the sacred significance of the rei puta: ‘If you have the tooth of a whale then you must have the jaw of a whale to wield it’. Despite the fact that it is Paikea, who retrieves the rei puta, Koro is implacable. He refuses to recognise Paikea’s claim. For Koro, Paikea cannot be desired chief because she is a girl.
 
Paikea understands Koro’s sense of disappointment and disillusionment saying that ‘it’s not his fault that I’m a girl’. In her speech dedicated to Koro, Paikea proudly acknowledges her ethnic origins: ‘My name is Paikea Apirana and I come from a long line of chiefs, stretching all the way back to Huawei, where our ancestors are’, describing herself ‘as the most recent descendant’. Paikea’s sense of inadequacy is conveyed as Paikea alludes to her guilt and shame: ‘I broke the line of the ancient ones. It wasn’t anyone’s fault, it just happened’.
 
Paikea sagely states in her speech ‘if the knowledge is given to everyone, then we can be strong ………. And not just the chosen one’. Paikea is aware that her community must adapt to the demands and challenges of the modern era if their community is to survive.
 
When the cetacean stranding occurs, it symbolises the decimation of this Maori tribe. A distraught Koro believes that Paikea has defiled the sacred place by learning how to perform taiaha, and now the community is being punished.
 
However, it is clear that Paikea shares an affinity with the whales, as she is able to coax them back into the water. Paikea’s actions are altruistic (selfless) as she puts her own safety in jeopardy in order to save the whales. Paikea’s actions have religious connotations in that she is willing to sacrifice herself in order to bring salvation to the whales: ‘I wasn’t scared to die’. (Connotations of immolation)
 
When Paikea’s absence is noted, Nanna Flowers hands Koro the rei puta and Koro asks her ‘which one?’ Nanna Flowers anger towards Koro at this moment is clearly palpable as retorts: ‘What do you mean which one?’ She is infuriated at Koro’s obstinate refusal to acknowledge Paikea’s claim.
 
Her grandfather finally accepts Paikea as the chief when he sees her riding on the whale and realises that it is Paikea, who saved the whales. This is a moment of epiphany for Koro. He is overjoyed when she finally regains consciousness
 
The whole Maoris community prays for Paikea’s recovery and wellbeing. The charismatic impact of Paikea on her community is evident when one woman says: ‘I’ve been praying to God that the little one wakes up; I’ll give up the smokes’.
 
The final scenes convey Paikea’s triumph over her society’s prejudice as she is accepted as the next chief of this Maori community. In a scene that is rich in symbolism, the final scene depicts Paikea on a fishing boat, accompanied by both men and women, symbolic of the inauguration of a new style of leadership, one that is inclusive and better equipped to meets the challenges of the modern era. Paikea’s triumph lies in her affirmation of her true identity and role: ‘My name is Paikea Apirana and I come from a long line of chiefs, stretching all the way back to the whale rider’.
 

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Whale Rider Resources by Ms Quinn- characters

1/18/2017

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Paikea shares an affinity with the whales that is indicative of her prophetic role as tribal chief

Paikea Apirana a.k.a "Pai". Pai, is the main character and heroine of the film.
Key words
  • Proud of her heritage
  • Courageous – saves the whales
  • Altruistic (selfless) she puts her life in jeopardy by trying to save the whales
  • Determined to prove her grandfather wrong
  • Resilient & defiant- perseveres despite her grandfather’s captious/scathing remarks; takes part in the fighting stick or taiaha.
  • Articulate –wins a public speaking competition
  • Devoted to her community
  • Respectful to her family, community & faith tradition
  • Loyal to her family especially her grandfather and seeks his approbation
  • Marginalised because she is a girl
  • Triumphant- she emerges as the new leader of her people

Koro Apirana
Keywords
  • Revered in his community- is respected by the members of his community.
  • Implacable- very set in his ways. Doesn’t listen to others.
  • Old-fashioned/Prejudiced- refuses to see that Paikea as the tribes’ leader because she is a girl.
  • Officious/meddlesome- interferes in his son’s life by telling him how he should live.
  • Obdurate/stubborn-believes that the tribes’ next leader must be a boy so he teaches the boys in the community fighting stick.
  • Committed to his community and the Maori beliefs.
  • Harsh/scathing-towards Paikea; belittles her because she is a girl.
Nanny Flowers
Keywords
  • Caring and protective
  • Candid- speaks her mind to Koro
  • Loyal to her family
  • Good role model for Paikea in terms of independence and determination
 
 
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Whale Rider Resources by Ms Quinn- Setting

1/18/2017

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‘Whale Rider’ directed by Niki Caro
 

Setting
The film ‘Whale Rider’ is set in New Zealand in the late 1970’s/early 1980’s. The film depicts a small Maori fishing village. This village’s economy is clearly underdeveloped, as it appears that fishing is the primary source of employment.
 
This community is traditional and conservative in its religious beliefs. As a result, it is a close-knit community and there is a great sense of community. The villagers uphold their Maori religion and there is a strict adherence to religious authority. Koro is revered in this village as tribal chief. It appears to be quite insular in that the influence of urbanisation and commercialism have not made a big impact on this small fishing village. The villagers seem to be somewhat resistant to change, especially the elders who respect custom and tradition.
 
The sense of depravation that characterises this community is adumbrated in the reference to criminality. Hami talks about when his father ‘gets out’ of prison. There seems to be a gang culture emerging, indicative of the lack of opportunities for people.
 
The film portrays a way of life that is very different to modern technological urbanity. Despite its strict adherence to tradition and custom, we see glimpses of modernity though the medium of pop music on the radio.

 
This is a patriarchal society. Traditionally, the men assume the leadership roles and positions of authority. It is in this cultural context that the protagonist, Paikea struggles against in order to assert her inalienable right to be the tribal chief.
 
The role of women in this village is quite traditional. The woman’s role is a domesticated one. The women assume the traditional role of women in caring for the children and the home. Even the feisty, independent Nanna Flowers who is a positive role model for Paikea, is obedient to her husband. She respects his decision to exile Paikea from their home because he thinks that she is unlucky.
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Whale Rider Resources by Ms Quinn- A relationship that evolves throughout the film

1/18/2017

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A relationship that develops and changes over the course of the film:
 
Paikea and Koro
 
In the film Paikea and her grandfather have a very fraught relationship. Koro rejected his baby granddaughter at birth because her twin brother died and she lived. In a way Koro resents Paikea for this. Even though her grandfather does love her, Paikea must learn to transcend both his and her society’s prejudice. Paikea is marginalised because she is a girl. She is regarded as subservient because she is a girl. Paikea is a source of disappointment for her grandfather because she is not the male heir that he so desired to succeed him as chieftain of the Maori tribe.
 
Paikea works tirelessly throughout the film to acquire her grandfather’s acceptance and approbation. She must learn to rise above his belittling remarks and rebuffs. She shows immense resilience of character by remaining loyal and committed to her grandfather. She cares deeply for her grandfather. Her grandfather does love his granddaughter but because he is an implacable character, there is a lot of tension and disappointment in their relationship. He refuses to believe that Paikea finding the rei puta identifies her as the legitimate successor. He is irritated when she asks him questions.
 
However, he is proud that Paikea takes a keen interest in the Maori beliefs, customs and traditions and he enjoys sharing this information with his granddaughter.
 
This relationship changes when Koro finally accepts Paikea as the chieftain of the Maori tribe after she altruistically saves the whales. She proves that she is the leader by saving the whales even though she put her own safety in jeopardy. Koro begs forgiveness from Paikea and accepts her as the new chieftain of the Maori tribe. The relationship transitions from initial rejection, to a begrudging acceptance to finally a relationship based on loving acceptance and pride.

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Whale Rider Resources by Ms Quinn- Key Quotations

1/18/2017

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‘You got the privilege but you forget the obligations’ –Koro
 
‘Take her with you’- Koro
‘She’s no use to me’- Koro
‘You don’t even know who I am’- Porourangi
 
‘I know who you were meant to be, who you were born to be’ –Koro to Porourgani
 
‘He didn’t’ mean it about me’- Paikea
 
‘Why doesn’t he want me’? –Paikea
 
‘Koro is looking for something that doesn’t exist anymore’ –Porourgangi to Koro
 
‘He needs a prophet’ –Porourgani about Koro
‘lead our people out of the darkness’- Porourgani about Koro
 
‘You can’t just decide who those people are because you want them to be’- Porourangi
 
‘I’m gonna need all the first born boys’- Koro
‘When she was born that’s when everything went wrong for us. That’s where we will find the answers’- Koro
 
‘Ive to go home………Just have to’- Paikea
 
‘Not now Pai’- Koro
‘I’m back…….but I’m back’- Paikea
 
‘I’m waiting for Kor. I said I’m waiting’- Paikea
 
‘You pick her up for years and she’s just suppose to guess’- Mother Flowers
 
‘Pai, you’re a girl go to the back. What did I say? What did I say? Then leave. Go on.’-Koro – underscores Paikea’s defiant and tenacious disposition
 
‘old ways’- Koro wants to teach the first born boys the Maori traditions
 
Koro lists the following qualities that a good chieftain should have:
  1. Strength
  2. Courage
  3. Intelligence
  4. Leadership
 
Paikea embodies all of these qualities
 
‘girls aren’t allowed’- Paikea about the stick fighting
‘I’ll deal with you later’ –Koro to Paikea
 
‘Your might be the boss out there but I’m the boss of this kitchen’- Mother Flowers
                                                                   
‘He has a lot of rules he has to live by’- Mother Flowers
 
‘Right from the beginning you knew this wasn’t for you but you kept coming back’- Koro to Paikea
 
Paikea claims that it’s not Koro’s fault ‘that I’m a girl’
 
‘It’s just for a little while’-Both Nanna Flowers and Uncle Rawiri’s girlfriend tells Paikea regarding her grandfather’s banishment of her.
 
‘If you have the tooth of the whale then you must have the jaw of a whale to wield it’- Koro speaking about the significance of the rei puta
 
‘He was calling to the ancient ones but they weren’t listening. So I tried. And they heard me’- Paikea
 
‘He didn’t want to talk anymore, that’s what nanna said. He just wanted to go down and down’- Paikea
 
Finds the lobster and the tooth whale-‘for papa’s tea and I found this’- Paikea
 
‘He’s not ready yet’- Nanny Flowers states that Koro is not ready to accept Paikea as the new chief
 
‘You’re my guest of honour so I will see you there puka’- Paikea to Koro
 
‘Save this one for Puka’-Paikea
‘He might be held up’-Nanna Flowers
‘No, he’s coming’- Paikea to Nanny Flowers
 
‘She said she had a surprise for him’- Uncle Rawiri to Nanna Flowers
 
‘This speech is a token of my deep love and respect for Koro Apirana, my grandfather’ –underscores Paikea’s admiration of her grandfather. She reveres/idolises him.
 
‘My name is Paikea Apirana  and I come from a long line of chiefs, stretching all the way back to Huawei, where our ancestors are’ – underscores Paikea’s sense of belonging and identity. She is proud of her ethnic origins.
 
‘most recent decendent’-  how Paikea describes herself

‘I broke the line of the ancient ones. It wasn’t anyone’s fault, it just happened’- underscores Paikea’s sense of shame; she attempts to rationalise Koro’s disappointment.
 
 
 
 
‘If the knowledge is given to everyone then we can have lots of leaders and everyone can be strong………. And not just the chosen one’- underscores Paikea’s belief that the Maori tribe must adapt to the modern world.
 
Koro shares an affinity with the whales as does Paikea as they hear the whales’ song
 
‘I called to them and they came but it wasn’t right. They were dying’. – Paikea
 
‘It was a test but for Koro this time’- Paikea – underscores Koro’s difficulty in accepting Paikea as the predestined leader of the Maori tribe.
 
‘Leave it you’ve done enough’- Koro- indicative of Koro’s resentment of Paikea. He feels that she is responsible for his tribe’s despair. He regards her as being inauspicious (unlucky/bad omen)
 
Paikea’s affinity with the whales is clear in that she can coax the whales to go back into the water-she gets on the back of whales and rides it back into the sea. Her affinity is manifested in her ability to communicate with the whales: ‘Come on’- Paikea
 
‘It’s ok Puka’- Paikea reassures Koro as she rides out into the sea.
 
‘I wasn’t scared to die’- Paikea- saviour/redemptive connotations of altruism/selflessly.
‘Which one?’- Koro to Nanna Flowers when she presents him with the rei puta
 
‘What do you mean which one?’ –Nanna Flowers to Koro; underscores her anger at Koro’s continuing denial/acceptance that Paikea is the predestined chief
 
‘I’ve been praying to God that the little one wakes up; I’ll give up the smokes’- a member of the community- this quote highlights the charismatic impact that Paikea has on her community.
 
‘My name is Paikea Apirana and I come from a long line of chiefs stretching all the way back to the whale rider’- affirmation of her identity as the tribal chief. Koro embraces her and smiles with pride; indicative of his final acceptance of Paikea.
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