The Whale Rider - Part 3

Kahu faces a lot of rejection but eventually saves her people. Write an essay expounding on this rejection experienced by Kahu.
 (a) Introduction
Most people who volunteer to save the society encounter obstacles and hardships on the way. One of these challenges is one of rejection not only by the society but also by those close to them. This makes their work quite difficult. In The Whale Rider, Kahu is rejected right from birth even though she is the one who finally saves her people.
(Accept any other relevant introduction, 2mks.
Should only be in the first paragraph.
Do not accept a mere definition or restatement of the question.)
Content
(i) She is rejected from birth for being a girl. The grandfather rejects her when the phone call reveals that she is a girl. “A girl”, Koro Apirana, our grandfather said disgusted. “I will have noting to do with her. She has broken the male         line of descent in our tribe.” He even blames his wife for Kahu’s birth. “It’s your fault. Your female side was too strong.” P10.
(ii) Her name is rejected. She is given a boy’s name. Kahutia Te Rangi is not only a man’s name but it is the name of the ancestor of their village. Koro Apirana feels that naming a girl child after the founder of their tribe is belittling Kahutia Te Rangi’s prestige. P14
(iii) Her birth causes cultural conflict. Koro Apirana cannot reconcile his traditional beliefs about Maori leadership and rights with Kahu’s birth. By Maori custom, leadership was hereditary and normally the mantle of prestige fell from the eldest son to the eldest son.
(iv) She is rejected as an orphan particularly by Koro Apirana. Porourangi brings Kahu’s mother back to the village where the funeral was held. When Rehua’s mother asked if she and her people can raise Kahu, Nani Flowers objects strongly.
(v)     She is rejected when she comes for holiday. She is put in Koro Apirana’s hands but he says no though it is surprising how Kahu and Koro Apirana resemble each other with the only difference being that she loves him but he does not love her. When he gives her back to Nani Flowers, she starts to cry, reaching for him but he turns away and leaves the house. P25.
Expect any 4 well developed areas. Mark 3:3:3:3. Total 12 marks.
Kahu’s rejection must clearly be seen; if not mark out of 2 for each point.
Grammar and presentation score pegged to content score as shown.
(b)     Conclusion
It is indeed true that ‘prophets are rarely recognized in their homes.’  This is true even from religious writings but the same people become saviours of the very same communities who rejected them.
Accept any other relevant conclusion 2 mks
Should only be in the last paragraph.
Score should be tied to the content score as shown in question 2.

Drawing examples from the novel, show how women are discriminated against in the Maori society
Q4     WHALE RIDER
Introduction – 2 marks
It must introduce the question appropriately it can be either be generalized or contextualized.

1. When Koro Apirano learns that he has a first born great grand daughter, he comments that he has nothing to do with her. He is disgusted because the girl had broken the male line descent in their tribe. He expected a boy who would be next chief because women were not traditionally expected to hold positions of chieftain.
   

He says that Kahu won’t be any good to him ‘No good. I won’t have anything to do with her” that Porourangi had better have a son next time. When Nani Flowers brings out the subject of Kahu, Koro Apirana compresses his lips crosses his arms, turns his back on Nani and looks elsewhere.

1. We are also told that the love which Kahu received from koro Apirana was the sort that dropped off the edge of the table like bread-crumbs after everybody else had a big meal. This shows that women are considered inferior men in the society.
2. Koro Apirana excludes women from instruction in his school. This is clearly noted when Kahu has to sneak or just stare in at the boys as they receive instruction. When he finds her eavesdropping, he grows at her and sends her packing.
3. When Kahu openly embraces Koro Apirana, he cannot reciprocate the love. He feels embarrassed and ashamed. We are told that he stood there thunderstruck looking for somewhere to hide. He is also not comfortable with Kahu calling him Paka and he tries to persuade her to call him ‘Koro’ but she won’t stop.
4. When Koro Apirana is told by Nani flowers that he should not discriminate against women any more, he answers that he doesn’t give a hang about women and they haven’t got the power. We also learn from Kahu that it is considered a waste of time for a girl to go to university.
5. We learn also that women are discriminated against in the Maori community this in the case of MihiKutukutuku a big chief who descended from Aparui, she was once ordered by a chief to sit down because women were not allowed to stand up and speak on sacred ground.
6. Another instance of discrimination against women from the traditional activities of the Maori tribe is where we are told that fishing is only done by men because it is considered a sacred activity and men are considered to be sacred.
7. Koro Apirana has started a school for boys and discovered three sons from royal bloodlines to whom he intends to pass the mantle of knowledge.

He keeps on chasing Kahu away from the boys’ school meetings and at one incident he hurls her away and cautions Nani to keep her away from the meeting house.

1. In the chieftain test that involves people diving into deep water to retrieve a curved stone dropped there by a priest, only men are involved.

Conclusion – 2 marks
This must be a summary of the main argument(s)
Marks distribution/allocation
Introduction – 2 marks
Content (any four well ill. 3 marks) 12 marks 3:3:3:3
Linguistic competent – 4 marks
 (TOTAL 20 MARKS