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The Whale Rider

In: English and Literature

Submitted By helenabk
Words 485
Pages 2
1. New Zealand is an island located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, not far away from Australia. The Polynesians settled down in New Zealand some time during 1250-1300 CE. They developed a culture which they called Maori. Maori became and is today a unique culture, hence the importance of their own language, mythology and also performing arts. After the Europeans arrived to New Zealand, Maori got strongly influenced by the Western culture but remained to keep traditions and a part of the old form.

2. Paikea
Paikea Apirana also known as Pai is the main character in the movie. The eleven year old girl is a strong individual - during her mother’s birth of them both, she was the only one who survived. She grew up living with her grandparents and other close family members. They’re apart of the Maori culture and her grandfather is the traditional chief of the community. Paikea’s twin brother was supposed to be the perceived chosen one, but because of the loss, her grandfather has to find a new leader. Paikea has to face a challenge all of a sudden, her father comes to visit the family. He’s been living in Germany as an artist. She has the opinion to leave and live with her father in Germany but she chooses to stay because she felt like they needed her at home. She wants to show her grandfather that this is what she really wants, to become the Chief. The way she does that is she shows love for her community, respect for nature, her ancestors and the faith of their traditions. She doesn’t want to give up on making her grandfather proud. Her grandfather Koro knows that he has been taught through elder traditions that a female leader is not right, that’s why he struggles to allow himself to see Paikea as the future leader of the tribe. At the end, he realizes he was wrong all the time and asks Paikea to forgive him and let her be the great leader for them all.

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