Whale rider book plot

Jan 01, 1987 written in 1987, the whale rider is a deceptively short book. Its a story about a young maori girl, paikea apirana thats born into the chief line along with a. Analysis of the whale rider essay example graduateway. One of his spears is cast one thousand years into the future, and is understood to give life to kahu, who will become the novels protagonist. And its characters speak in maori almost as much as they do in english.

The module consists of teachers notes and a handout with background information that you can copy and give to your students. Eightyearold kahu, a member of the maori tribe of whangara, new zealand, fights to prove her love, her leadership, and her destiny. 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. Her grandfather koro apirana believes that this is a role reserved for males only. If youve ever felt discriminated against because of your gender, this is the book for you. The biggest whale, the founder of maori culture, has a special relationship with the whale rider, a young man who sits upon its back. All along we know that this girl is the real embodiment of the ancestral paikea the first whale rider. The books narrator, kahus uncle rawiri, then explains that the tribes first chief and ancestor, kahutia te rangi, who is also called paikea, came to their land on. Whale rider is an expressive, cultural drama film by the award winning director nikola jean niki caro, that explores the ideas of love, rejection, tradition and gender roles. Synopsis 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.

Whale rider mat no 10 storyboarding read the following excerpt from the book the whale rider. In particular, this story is about paikea, the first whale rider who uses spears to create life on the island. Expectations and disappointments generational differences 5. 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. 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. This film is based on the book the whale rider by witi ihimaera. Watch whale rider 2002 full movie free online streaming. The first edition of the novel was published in january 1st 1987, and was written by witi ihimaera. Overcoming gender roles to unite the whangara the film whale rider tells the fictional story of pai, a twelveyearold girl living with her grandparents in the small community of whangara on the coast of new zealand. The whale rider is a story about a maori girl named kahu, who dreams of being the chief of her tribe. Free download or read online the whale rider pdf epub book. The story takes place in new zealand where the maori people of a small village claim descent from the whale rider, paikea.

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. 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. Disregarded by her village, a maori girl trains herself in the customs of her people to prove shes the rightful heir to her grandfather as chief. These three techniques and others in the movie clearly gave it more rhythm and meaning, which helped the viewers go deeper into scenes than the third person events on the screen. The whale mothers look after these youngsters, while the old bull whale reminisces about his own birth so many years ago. The films plot follows the story of paikea apirana pai. According to legend, the maori came to whangara when their great leader paikea led them by riding on a whale. Whale rider takes place in present day new zealand, where a 12yearold girl named pai keisha castlehughes is growing up in an allmaori community.

Witi ihimaera is a novelist and short story writer from new zealand, perhaps the bestknown maori writer today. Its fixation on myths indigenous to new zealand lends a bizarre, ethereal otherworldliness. Whale rider this module has been designed to accompany the film whale rider 2003. Its a story about a young maori girl, paikea apirana thats born into the chief line along with a twin brother. Only 120 pages long, its a richly layered story dealing with several major social issues. The story follows a 12yearold maori girl named paikea apirana who struggles to earn her grandfathers. In every generation since kahutia, a male heir has inherited the title of chief. Her father who was the designated chief to be, could not cope after the death of his son and wife.

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. First published in 1987 in new zealandthe authors homeland as well as the storys settingthis circuitous novel inspired a film of the same. Students will read an informational text to summarize the books plot and analyze key events before. This whale rider casts spears as lifegiving objects to the islands, but one spear he casts years into the future, which is the time of the storys young heroine kahu. In 1987 ihimaera wrote the novel the whale rider which was turned into a movie. Niki caro based on the book by witi ihimaera prezi by. Ever since, the maori have been led by the descendants of that leader. Create your own storyboard using the template on the next page. Then, use the book excerpt and translate it into single frames.

The film is based on the book the whale rider by witi ihimaera. The whale rider starts a thousand years ago, with a pod of whales. Whale rider directed by niki caro notes english junior. Setting whale rider whale rider is set in a small village called whangara, on the east coast of the north island of new zealand. The indie film whale rider is an engrossing character drama with an inspirational message. Whale rider arrives in theaters already proven as one of the great.

Her people claim descent from kahutia te rangi, the legendary whale rider. She is a maori girl living with her grandparents in their small community. His mother he had lost to sharks when he was only a few years old. May 01, 2003 the whale rider is definitely in my top ten list of alltime favorite books. 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. Although it claimed to be a story of the history of the maorinew zealand tribe, many parts of the book were irrelevant to the main plot. Through the account of the maori individuals of new zealand and their legacytraditions, the reader will be acquainted with new another socially assorted gathering of individuals. Whale rider theme study expectations by grace johnson on. The movie, written and directed by niki caro, inspired by a novel by witi. The main characters of this fiction, young adult story are kahu. Before you start, have a look at the sample frame below. Pais mother died during childbirth and her artist father has left new zealand. Expectations pourorangi is expected to lead the community as a wise chief pourorangi is expected to look after paikea expected to have a son who will become chief expects tradition to stay relevant expected to follow his fathers plan koro nanny flowers is expected.

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. Plenty of rich themes are found in ihimaeras the whale. Whale rider arrives in theaters already proven as one of the great audiencegrabbers of recent years. Ihimaera was born near gisborne, a town in the east of new zealands north island and is of maori descent te aitangaamahaki and anglosaxon descent.

Introduction the whale rider revolves around paikea. The plot whale rider follows the journey of eleven year old paikea apirana. Comprehension and discussion activities for the film whale rider. The song was tragic, and it was in harmony with the whale song of comfort. The whale rider study guide contains a biography of author witi ihimaera, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a. The whale rider 2002 summary and analysis uk essays.

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. 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. She is a surviving twin, her brother and mother died during childbirth. Whale rider is an internationally successful new zealand film focusing on indigenous cultural issues. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 150 pages and is available in paperback format. The bull whale is an ancient whale, about 65 feet long. 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.

This book alternated between ancient mythology and the modern struggle of a young girl trying to take her place in society. The novel is set in modern times and there are some references that link it into the late 1970s and early 1980s. Witi tame ihimaerasmiler dcnzm qsm born 7 february 1944, generally known as witi ihimaera. Whale rider is a magical tale of survival, stubbornness and destiny. In addition to the storyform, youll also find any additional analysis or media related to the story in question.

Based on the novel of the same name by witi ihimaera, the film stars keisha. But now there is no male heir, and the aging chief is desperate to find a successor. I absolutely adore everything about it, and really do think theres something everyone can relate to in this story. You are in for a bit of an emotional rollercoaster with whale rider. The hidden meaning behind whale rider could not have been brought out in the acting, the screenplay, or the storyline without the narrative structure. How to read this book 16 conclusion 17 summary 17 key concepts 17.

Pdf the whale rider book by witi ihimaera free download. The mythology portions tell the story of the whale rider, who was a longago ancestor who rode a giant ancient whale to the land where the maori tribe of whangara, new zealand live. The movie begins with the birth of twins, the latest in that line. The mythical story of the whales told alongside the story of kahu discusses various important issues. 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. Keisha castlehughes, rawiri paratene, vicky haughton, cliff curtis. Use this lesson plan to increase student comprehension for the whale rider by witi ihimaera. Whale rider is a 2002 new zealandgerman family drama film written and directed by niki caro. In chapter 1 i will give a short summary about the colonial and postcolonial. Analysis of witi ihimaeras the whale rider on the basis of. The world premiere was on september 2002, at the toronto international film festival. The taniwha is the mythological whale or sea creature that paikea the ancestor rode on to lead the way to aeoteara new zealand originally.

Youve reached the hub for any and all dramatica analysis of whale rider. Watch whale rider 2002 full movie free online streaming tubi. Also sign me up for fanmail to get updates on all things movies. The descriptions of the sea and underwater landscapes, the southern lights and the habits and sounds of the whales bring the place vividly to life. Written in 1987, the whale rider is a deceptively short book. 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. Jun 20, 2003 whale rider arrives in theaters already proven as one of the great audiencegrabbers of recent years.

The first greatgrandchild of the whanau, she was loved by all her relatives except the one whose love she needed mosther greatgrandfather. The child, named kahu in honor of the whale rider, adores her greatgrandfather, yet he ignores her, continually dismissing her when she tries to listen in on his lessons to the boys on tribal. Ihimaera lives in new zealand and is of maori descent and anglosaxon descent through his father, tom. First published in 1987 in new zealandthe authors homeland as well as. One relationship in particular that between the whale rider and his giant whale was exemplary of a symbiotic connection. The whale rider, by witi ihimaera, is rich in thematic concerns. The question and answer section for the whale rider is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. The whale rider by witi ihimaera penguin books australia.

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. 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. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of whale rider by witi ihimaera. The book is interesting and the audience will without a doubt have tears and also laugher through the pages of the story. He attended church college of new zealand in temple view, hamilton, new zealand. 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.

Film is adapted from the novel whale rider first published 1987 by witi ihimaera. By tradition, the leader should be the firstborn son a direct patrilineal. The whale rider is a 1987 novel by new zealander witi ihimaera. Whale rider is set in the maori community of new zealand. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing whale rider near you. Now, so many years after their separation, the nostalgia for their time spent together cuts away at the old bull whale.