The Whale Rider Part 1

The Novel: “The whale Rider” – Witi Ihimaera
“Although the Maori are patriarchal society it is the women who dominate the menfolk” with close reference to Witi Ihimaera’s – “The whale Rider” write an essay to show the validity of the above statement
Introduction
     It is ironical that a society that is patriarchal in nature has its women taking charge of situations. In the Novel, The Whale Rider the women characters come out stronger that the men

• Muriwai, Nani flower’s ancestor, takes charge of a cause that is in danger of capsizing and saves   herself and the men crew in it.
• Nani flowers comes out stronger in her arguments with her husband, Koro and always comes out victorious in the many arguments they have
• Nani takes charge of Kahu’s birth cord and ensures it is buried at the right place a task normally performed by men.
• Nani at one time pushes Koro out of bed and Koro  sleeps on the floor – something demeaning for a man who is chief of the Maori
• Rehua, Porourangi’s wife is potrayed as wise and decisive, names her daught  Kahu and requests that her birth cord and after birth  be buried at Whagara,. This foresight ensures Kahu’s survival and inheritance of the Maori chieftain
• Ana and not her husband Porourangi is the one who decides that Kahu should come and live with the family instead of being raised by her maternal grand mother.
• Kahu excels academically beating boys at school

She is best in Maori language and culture
She retires the cared stone from the deepest ocean – while boys that Koro had been training fails to.

• Kahu is able to communicate with the whales and dolphins something that Koro tries and fail and therefore she manage to rescue the whale as the whale rider and saves the tribe she therefore becomes the next leader of the Maori people.
  

     Witi Ihimaera, The Whale Rider
     “Ihimaera uses the novel to show that certain stereotypes about women are quite unnecessary” Write an essay to show how certain negative beliefs about women are discredited in The Whale Ride.
Introduction
Since time immemorial the woman has been regarded as a weaker sex (gender). Society has been having certain stereotypes about women. For instance there are certain jobs or even foods that women are not allowed to have. This is an unfortunate state of affairs which has been overtaken by events and is unnecessary as outlined below.
     (Accept any other relevant introduction)
     Content – points to consider

• Women in Witi’s society were being kept away from the training of cultural ways which were considered sacred and for men. Kahu however proves then wrong when she becomes interested in the Maori culture and is destined to lead her people. She becomes the first woman to go against this stereotype which for years had placed woman in a place of disadvantage.
• Women were not allowed to assume leadership positions in Witi Ihamaera’s society. The chieftaincy was passed on from the eldest son to the eldest son of the next generation. This went on until kahu breaks the monotony. Kahu shatters this belief for she is determined to become the leader of  her community after Koro Apirana. Nani Flower’s ancestor, Muriwai was one of the greatest women chiefs in her time whose blood, Nani believes, throbs in Kahu’s veins. Unlike other traditionalists, Nani Flowers believe Kahu can be a leader.
• It was expected that it was only men who could undertake certain tasks like making the ancient bull whale return to sea. But to the surprise of everyone, when all men fail, it is Kahu who comes to the aid of the community and saves it from perishing. This was against the stereotypes.
• Koro Apirana had a low opinion of Kahu.

     He is not happy when his grandson’s first born turns out to be a girl (Kahu). He so desperately wishes for a male child as a first born so as to be the heir to inherit (take) the seat of Porourangi. Unfortunately, it does not work despite all the efforts and Kahu, a girl, emerges the chosen heiress and takes up the leadership of Porourangi.
     (Accept any relevant point)

     Witi Ihimaera’s ‘The Whale Rider’
     ‘The world would be a better place if women were given equal opportunities.” Basing your illustrations on Witi Ihimaera’s ‘The Whale Rider,’ argue in favour of this assertion.
     Introduction
     Discrimation against women is baseless and unwarranted.  A society that discriminates against them wastes a lot of potential and subjects the women to unnecessary suffering.  In Witi Ihimaera’s The Whale Rider this is clearly seen through Kahu and Nani Flowers.
     Content
     Nani Flowers comes to the aid of Kahu when she is born.  Koro Apirana is so desperate for a baby boy that when a girl is born he simply brushes her aside saying ‘ I have nothing to do with her.’ For the burial of the afterbirth, it takes Nani Flowers firmness to have it buried in her paternal home. This is despite opposition from Koro Apirana. Thereafter, she protects her from Koro who keeps growling at her. She therefore presents herself as a voice of reason.
     Secondly, Kahu emerges the best in the school break-up ceremony despite all odds. She writes a winning speech in the Maori language. This is similar to the cultural preservation that Koro has been working for.
     Kahu also comes to the rescue of the community when its livelihood is threatened. This is the case when the whales come to the shore to protest the invasion of their kingdom. After the effort of all the men bore no fruit, a mere girl, who happens to be the subject of Korosis the one who makes the whole difference.
     To the utter surprise of Rawiri and the boys, there is a white lady wading off whale hunters who are cashing in on the stranded whales. Her wails and call for help draw the boys to her and together they manage to save the stranded whales.
     Lastly, symbolically, the Whale Mother comes out as a voice of reason when she convinces the Bull Whale,that  the rider is not Kahutia Te Rangi. This is despite the Bull Whale's conviction. So, when it turned out that the rider was really a girl, the Whale Mother takes the day as a female.
     NB: ACCEPT ANY OTHER RELEVANT POINTS THAT PORTRAY THE WOMAN POSITIVELY.
     Conclusion
From the discussion above, it is sufficient to conclude that the woman occupies a special position which has been undermined for a long time.
Mark 3:3:3:3 = 12
Introduction = 2
Grammar = 4
Conclusion = 2
Total 20

‘The society looks down upon women.’ Write an essay in support of this statement drawing your illustrations from The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera.

• The society looks down upon women.  Support the statement.
• Women cannot be trusted with leadership.
  
• Pai – 12 year old girl born as a twin but her brother died.  Her brother was expected to be chief to continue to lead the next generation on from their grandfather Koro.
• Koro does not believe that Pai should bear the name of the great legend ‘Paikea the Whale Rider.’
• Koro also thinks of Paikea as being worthless and he does not want Pai because she is female. Pai considers herself as being destined to be the next chief because she is a direct descendant of Paikea.’
• Traditional expectations and inclinations make Koro to choose to pick a male from the tribe to be chief, Koro in the beginning is unable to accept Pai because of his own traditions and his tribe’s 1000 year old tradition – that every first male born is the new chief in their generation.
• The society’s bias towards the male child – Koro would rather have Pai die and her twin brother live.  Koro states that he is only there for the boy because his first anote is ‘where is the boy?”
• Koro wouldn’t even acknowledge his granddaughter Pai is lying next to the deceased boy – Koro commands that she be taken away but the girl squeals and cries demanding for her grandfather’s acknowledgement.

Accept any other relevant point.
Expect 4 well illustrated points.
Mark 3:3:3:3 = 12 marks
     CONCLUSION

1. A summary of the given points.
2. An opinion that sums up the points.
3. Accept any other relevant conclusion.
4. Language (4mks)

      Both boys and girls have equal rights to leadership in the society. Write an essay supporting this statement basing your answer on Witi Ihimaera’s novel,
     Intro: Any but appropriate

1. The traditional expectations of the society that leadership is handed down from the father to the eldest son excludes girls from assuming leadership. Yet Muriwai proved this belief wrong for she was one of the greatest chiefs of her people.
2. The disappointment Koro Apirana has at the birth (and his opposition to be given a male’s name) of Kahu is unnecessary because it turns out that Kahu is the chosen one that he has been searching for all along, to take the mantle of leadership.
3. When the community requires strong leadership, it is the women who upstage the men in leading the way. Nani Flowers ensures that Kahu’s afterbirth and birth cord are buried in front of the tribe’s meeting house, which bears the statue of Kahutia Te Rangi. This enhances the community’s connection to the ancestors.
4. The boys fail to retrieve Koro Apirana’s carved stone but Kahu, effortlessly goes into the ocean and brings it back. She even communes with nature.
5. The entire population of the male in habitants of Whangara fails in their attempt to coax the ancient bull whale back to the ocean, but Kahu manages to do so. As a result, she is accepted by Koro who calls her the best grandchild in the entire world.

     Any other relevant and justified point

‘Societies use traditions to justify their suppression of women.’ Using illustrations from Witi Ihimaera’s the Whale Rider, write and essay supporting this statement.
     THE NOVEL: THE WHALE RIDER
     Introduction (2mks)
-    it is indeed true that society uses cultural practices to deny women opportunities. This is clearly brought  out in the novel ‘the whale rider.’ or
-    contextual or general introduction highlighting implications of gender disparity to women.
     (Accept any other relevant introduction)
     Content (12mks)
Ci the naming of the girl after her male ancestor Kahutia i.eRangi  is vehemently opposed by her great grand father Koro Apirana, aha thanks that it would be a contemptuous act since kahu is a girl , who was believed to be of no use in this male dominated society. He felt naming the girl-child afther the founder of the tribe was belittling kahutiai.erangi’s prestige.(pg 14-16)
Cii     in this text the tradition do not allow a girl to take over a leadership mantle. The news of kahu annoyed koro so much  that he started to desperately search for someone in fact a boy – a man that will succeed him.
Ciii    kahu’s straggle to assert her leadership potential was brutally rejected by the traditions through koro. The girl naively  bites koro’ toe , searches and obtained his cover stone and addition crayfish that the boy had failed to retrieve did not appeal to him because she is a girl.
Civ    in this society the traditions restricts woman from the attending men’s lessons. Koro is upset when kahu intrudes into the room where lessons on language were going on.
Cv     traditionally it is a taboo for a man to get in contact with kahu. The fact that porourangi  fails to protect the girl because of the traditional order.
Cvi    the culture practice had a bad effect to woman in school. Despite kahu doing well by topping in every item in school, koro fails to attend the ceremony.
     (Accept any other relevant point)
     Expect any 4 well developed points, mark 3:3:3:3= 12mks
     Conclusion (2mks)

• In conclusion , woman are never allowed to express themselves in this society. They have to fight like the girl kahu.or
• A recap of the discussed points or
• An opinion that sums up the essay

     Language (4mks)