The whale rider by witi ihimaera, jay lagaaia, audiobook. Whale rider this module has been designed to accompany the film whale rider 2003. Ancestor of the people of te tai rawhiti, he travelled from hawaiki, the place of the ancients, to the east coast of new zealand. 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. The rite of passage of the hero jonah mentioned in ihimaeras book, the whale rider who emerged a changed man from the whale s belly is one example. Write one descriptive sentence describing the sounds s whale makes. The whale rider is a contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph. Blending legend with a reality thats both gritty and beautiful, this novel was made into a movie that was released in the united states just prior to the books publication here. The whale rider by witi ihimaera was first published in 1978. The world premiere was on september 2002, at the toronto international film festival. May 01, 2003 the whale rider is definitely in my top ten list of alltime favorite books. Jun 01, 2014 in the movie, the interloping shots of whales singing every so often does the book s whale singingspeakinghistory passages no justice well, some, but theres no comparison, and thats coming from someone who likes those film sequences.
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. Create your own storyboard using the template on the next page. The whale rider study guide contains a biography of author witi ihimaera, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of the whale rider by witi ihimaera. Pais mother died during childbirth and her artist father has left new zealand. Now available in simultaneous hardcover and paperback. The whale rider is a 1987 novel by new zealander witi ihimaera. The whale rider by witi ihimaera penguin books australia. The indie film whale rider is an engrossing character drama with an inspirational message. Jun 20, 2003 whale rider arrives in theaters already proven as one of the great audiencegrabbers of recent years.
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 module consists of teachers notes and a handout with background information that you can copy and give to your students. Also sign me up for fanmail to get updates on all things movies. According to legend, the maori came to whangara when their great leader paikea led them by riding on a whale. But when hundreds of whales beach themselves and threaten the future of the maori tribe, it is kahu who saves the tribe when she reveals that she has the whale rider s ancient gift of communicating with whales. The chiefs eldest son, porourangi, fathers twins a boy and a girl. It is about the struggles of a maori girl, paikea, to succeed her grandfather as leader of her tribe in spite of tradition dictating that the chief be male.
Everyone plays their part in an excellent and believable way. How characterisation builds up the story in the whale rider. The films plot follows the story of paikea apirana pai. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing whale rider near you. If youve ever felt discriminated against because of your gender, this is the book for you. The whale rider epilogue summary and analysis gradesaver. 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. While koro is desperate about not having a male grandchild he starts to look for a male successor amongst his tribe, unaware that kahu has the aptitudes which a chief requires. This film actually tried to depict the civil rights movement through the. The story of whale rider is about pai, a girl descended from paikea, the mythical ancestor of ngati konohi hapu sub tribe who live in whangara on the east coast of new zealand. Whale rider can be enjoyed by adults, like myself, or with older children as well.
Kahutia te rangi in the book, the whale rider he who rode on top of a whale from hawaiki. But now there is no male heir, and the aging chief is desperate to find a successor. The whale rider novel appears somehow like a modern tale. Whale rider by niki caro keisha castlehughes, rawiri. In addition to the storyform, youll also find any additional analysis or media related to the story in question. Youve reached the hub for any and all dramatica analysis of whale rider. Written in 1987, the whale rider is a deceptively short book. 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.
The story follows a 12yearold maori girl named paikea apirana who struggles to earn her grandfathers. Analysis of witi ihimaeras the whale rider on the basis. The movie freedom riders by pbs and the book the struggle for black equality, 19541992 by harvard sitkoff introduction one of the most comprehensive dramatic documentaries that focused on the history of the civil rights movement is the film produced by pbs, entitled freedom riders. Niki caro based on the book by witi ihimaera prezi by. Then, use the book excerpt and translate it into single frames. Described by metro magazine as part oracle, part memoralist, and an inspired voice, weaving many stories together, ihimaera has also written for stage and screen, edited books on the arts and culture, as well. The first greatgrandchild of the whanau, she was loved by all her relatives except the one whose love she needed mosther greatgrandfather. Whale rider is a drama film of the 2002, based on the novel of witi ihimaera, and. Whale rider is an internationally successful new zealand film focusing on indigenous cultural issues. Tradition as a tool for oppressing women in witi ihimaeras the whale rider. The book received a huge amount of critical acclaim. In a small new zealand coastal village, maori claim descent from paikea, the whale rider. Like herman melvilles moby dick, the whale, philip hoares strange and wonderful new book, is an anatomy an exploded encyclopedia of all things cetacean.
I absolutely adore everything about it, and really do think theres something everyone can relate to in this story. 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 is a 2002 new zealandgerman family drama film written and directed by niki caro. Only kahu understands that she is the whale rider, and that she must guide the whales back to the safety of the sea. The song of a whale calls through deep water as the huge mammal swims far below the surface of. Ihimaera was inspired to write the book in 1985 while living in an apartment in new york overlooking the hudson river. Before you start, have a look at the sample frame below. Whale rider is set in the maori community of new zealand. 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.
Eightyearold kahu, a member of the maori tribe of whangara, new zealand, fights to prove her love, her leadership, and her destiny. Ever since, the maori have been led by the descendants of that leader. Whale rider takes place in present day new zealand, where a 12yearold girl named pai keisha castlehughes is growing up in an allmaori community. Comprehension and discussion activities for the film whale rider. 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. This film is a magnificent portrayal of life in a tribe based upon ancient laws and mentality. Whale rider arrives in theaters already proven as one of the great audiencegrabbers of recent years. It can be seen in the bible through jesus crucifixion. In whale rider, the whale symbolizes life and death. Comprehension and discussion activities for the film whale. Ihimaera has written quite a long list of books and short stories but the whale rider is probably his most well known due to the 2002 film of the same name. The bull whale is an ancient whale, about 65 feet long. 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. Eightyearold kahu, a member of the maori tribe of whangara, new.
Other examples relating to self sacrifice can also be seen in symbolic sacrifices of the body. The girl who plays pai is in my opinion the best though as she is absolutely believable in all her varied situations. The whale rider is definitely in my top ten list of alltime favorite books. The biggest whale, the founder of maori culture, has a special relationship with the whale rider, a young man who sits upon its back. The whale rider starts a thousand years ago, with a pod of whales. In every generation since kahutia, a male heir has inherited the title of chief. Whale rider is a magical tale of survival, stubbornness and destiny. Whale rider mat no 10 storyboarding read the following excerpt from the book the whale rider. 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. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of whale rider by witi ihimaera. But her abilities are of little comfort to kahu, a girl who adores her great grandfather and is shattered by his constant rejection and assertions that she is of no use. First published in 1987 in new zealandthe authors homeland as well as. 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 2002 summary and analysis uk essays.
Paikea is said to have arrived from their place of origin, hawaikii, on the back of a whale. 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. 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. I heard helicopters whirling around and the ships in the river using all their sirens a whale had. It would take some pretty powerful words to make something like that happen but those are exactly the kind of words that make up whale rider. Witi ihimaera was the first maori to publish both a book of short stories and a novel, and has published many notable novels and collections of short stories.
Her people claim descent from kahutia te rangi, the legendary whale rider. Many books have been made into movies, and they are often not at all faithful to the original, other than the name, and usually the names of the characters. Kahu is his only greatgrandchildand maori tradition has no use for a girl. Te kaieke tohora is a 2002 film based on the book the whale rider by witi ihimaera. The whale rider essays are academic essays for citation. 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. Jan 01, 1987 written in 1987, the whale rider is a deceptively short book. 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 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. By tradition, the leader should be the firstborn son a.
In every generation for over 1,000 years, a male heir born to the chief succeeds to the title. Can someone give me a summary of the whale rider book. 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 set in the east coast town of whangara, whale rider tells the tale of a young maori girl, pai keisha castlehughes, who challenges tradition and embraces the past in order to find the strength to lead her people forward. The movie begins with the birth of twins, the latest in that line. The whale rider quotes goodreads meet your next favorite book. You are in for a bit of an emotional rollercoaster with whale rider. Only 120 pages long, its a richly layered story dealing with several major social issues.
Now, so many years after their separation, the nostalgia for their time spent together cuts away at the old bull whale. 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 children and the ambitions that children have for themselves. It also represents a myth of the maori people about a man named paikea meaning humpback whale who is and ancestor of a tribe in the south island. The book was written in the early years of the authors writing career. The book, as mentioned above, begins with nature, with the past, with. Pai is being raised by her loving grandparents, koro and nanny flowers rawiri paratene and vicky haughton. Whale rider arrives in theaters already proven as one of the great audience grabbers of recent years. Pai main character and the new whale rider born into a line of chiefs has all the qualities of a leader struggles against gender stereotypes and koro. Author of the novel the whale rider witi ihimaera the film is based on the book the whale rider by witi ihimaera. Can someone compare the whale rider book and movie to me i. It brings a flood of emotions to any viewer as everyone sees a moral for themselves, perhaps different to the next. The taniwha is the mythological whale or sea creature that paikea the ancestor rode on to lead the way to aeoteara new zealand originally.
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