Whale Rider Questions

Shannon Ryan
March 23, 2009
1) Name two situations where Koro ignored signs of Pai’s ability and aptitude to lead.
Two situations where Koro ignored signs of Pai’s ability and aptitude to lead are when he fails to show up to see her speech at her school, and when Pai beats Hemi in a taiasha match, showcasing the physical strength and speechmaking ability that the tribe would require from a leader.
2) Discuss the scene where Rawiri took up the taiaha again. How does this change carry on for Rawiri in the rest of the story?
Rawiri’s decision to take up the taiaha again changes his character for the duration of the story because he is able to reconnect with his childhood accomplishment and become a stronger adult as a result. This change in Rawiri’s character carries the rest of the story because he, and his romantic become supportive of Paikea’s desire to succeed her grandfather’s role by taking her to fetch the whale tooth from the sea’s depths and when they come to see her speech, and because the family becomes sympathetic of Koro’s treatment to Paikea regarding a female becoming his successor.
3) When the community walk away together, Paikea comes from behind them and walks alone back towards the big whale. What did that image make you think about Paikea?
The image of Paikea backing towards the big whale instead of following the rest of the tribe and ridding the whale into the ocean, made me think about Paikea’s “hinted destiny” as the female whale rider (symbolism that the old traditions are evolving to make room for new changes). However, this moment in the film also made mw think about Paikea’s need for Koro’s approval as well.
4) When Pai is in the hospital how do they know Koro has changed his attitude towards her?
When Pai is in the hospital, we and the characters know that Koro has changed his attitude about Pai from the moment Nanny Flowers gives him the whale tooth, he sees Pai riding the whale and watches her drown because he seems to be wallowing in grief, refuses to leave her bedside, mutters how he was wrong that Pai was the reason for the tribe’s misfortune, asks for penance for destroying the true leader of his people (receiving the whale tooth and watching Paikea has made him a true believer of her destiny as the leader of his people) and is overjoyed when she awakes.
5) What is the significance of the waka? Describe the waka scene that struck you most, and explain why.
The significance of the waka was that it was the tradition in which the tribe welcomed a new leader. The aspect of the waka scene that struck me the most was that Koro has his arm around Pai, his granddaughter and successor as he leads the men far from the shore by chanting the ritual songs because this moment symbolized Koro’s full acceptance of Paikea and by showing the old man and female child side by side, symbolized the relation of the old traditions and the changing, new future.