Whale Ride - Analysis

Question 1

‘Whale Rider’ is written and directed by …

Answer 1

Niki Caro

Question 2

What genre is Whale Rider

Answer 2

Drama film

Question 3

Where is Whale Rider set?

Answer 3

In Whangara, a small Maori coastal village in New Zealand

Question 4

Describe the character Paikea

Answer 4

○Name of the original whale rider
○Narrator
○Brave; determined; intelligent; strong
○Endured a number of hardships at a young age

Question 5

What are some of Paikea’s most memorable scenes?

Answer 5

○Moving scene where Koro fails to attend Pai’s ceremony
○Retrieves Koro’s whale tooth necklace
○Rides the whale

Question 6

Describe the character Old Paka/Koro

Answer 6

○Pai’s grandfather
○Proud; stubborn; very traditional; difficult
○Annoyed and disappointed Paikea was born a girl
○Blind to the fact Paikea, a girl, is the next in line to be chief

Question 7

Describe the character Nanny Flowers

Answer 7

○Very likeable
○Pai’s grandmother
○Mother-figure to Pai; always there to comfort her
○Very maternal; brave; wise
○Strong female figure in a male-dominated society/community

Question 8

Describe the character Porourangi

Answer 8

○Pai’s father
○Not interested in becoming chief
○Wants to leave the small community and be an artist in Europe

Question 9

Describe the character Rawiri

Answer 9

○Pai’s uncle
○Funny; easy going; cares for Pai
○Realises she is the ‘chosen one’
○His girlfriend is also very likeable and laid back

Question 10

What makes Nanny Flowers different to other members of the community?

Answer 10

○She believes in Pai and stands up against Koro’s traditional, somewhat sexist ways. She is protective of her
○From the beginning she believed and recognised Pai’s abilities and that she was the natural heir. She is one of the only characters who truly sees Pai’s potential

Question 11

Give an example that shows Nanny Flowers knows her husband well

Answer 11

She refrains from explaining to Koro that Pai found his sacred necklace as she knows her husband isn’t ready for that

Question 12

Give an example that shows Nanny Flowers has authority

Answer 12

She demonstrates her authority in the scene where Pai is performing and delivering her speech. Nanny Flowers in a respected figure in the community

Question 13

Give an example of Nanny Flower including Pai

Answer 13

Nanny Flowers always includes Pai. At the ceremony for potential chiefs she pushes Pai to the front

Question 14

Give a brief summary of the beginning of the plot of Whale Rider

Answer 14

○Legend of Tribe that chief arrived on whale
○Mother and twin brother die in childbirth
○All hoping for son to be leader of tribe
○But end up with girl → grandfather very disappointed
○Brother should have been next chief
○Tension between Koro and Pai’s father
○Koro ignores Pai and the death of her mother

Question 15

What are some of the sources of conflict or issues in Whale Rider?

Answer 15

○Wanted a boy → tragedy occurs and they are left with a girl → no future chief
○Issue with tradition/responsibility and obligation and pressure
○Huge gender inequality
○Koro is not open to change

Question 16

Give a brief summary of the middle of the plot of Whale Rider

Answer 16

○Pai, without difficulty, finds Koro’s whaletooth necklace
○We begin to see Pai is better than all the boys - chosen one
○We learn Pai is somehow connected to the whales
○Old Paka misses Pai’s concert because of beached whales. He thinks Pai is bad luck

Question 17

Give a brief summary of the ending of the plot of Whale Rider

Answer 17

○Old Paka misses Pai’s concert - whales beached on shore
○Big community effort as whole tribe tries to return whales to the ocean, but fail
○Pai miraculously manages to stir the whale
○Then climbs on the whales back and becomes the Whale Rider
○Rides with whale out to sea and decides to die
○Presumed dead
○Koro finally realises Pai is the chosen one who will lead the tribe
○Final scene shows celebrations, traditional dancing and a happy Pai leading the tribe

Question 18

What was the ending of Whale Rider like? Was it good or bad?

Answer 18

Overall, it was a very positive and uplifting ending. Pai has proven herself to be a natural born leader

Question 19

What is your favourite moment in Whale Rider and why?

Answer 19

When Pai retrieves her grandfather’s whale tooth from the bottom of the ocean.
○This demonstrates her natural ability when she effortlessly retrieves Koro’s necklace, and a lobster
○Also quite humorous
○Very uplifting moment as it becomes even clearer Pai is destined to be thee next chief

Question 20

What are some of the themes in Whale Rider?

Answer 20

○Leadership
○Expectations and disappointments
○Working together
○Feelings of achievement
○Overcoming prejudice
○Responsibilities and obligations
○Tradition and pressure
○Gender inequality
○Perseverence

Question 21

What are some of the lessons/messages in the film ‘Whale Rider’

Answer 21

○Follow your dreams
○Don’t judge a person
○Persevere

Question 22

What is the soundtrack of Whale Rider made up of?

Answer 22

○Traditional Maori songs and chants
○Whale sounds
○Ocean sounds
○Instrumental music