Witi Ihimaera, The Whale Rider “The natural and the supernatural are in mutual co-existence”. Drawing your evidence from the novel The Whale Rider, Write an essay...

      

Witi Ihimaera, The Whale Rider

“The natural and the supernatural are in mutual co-existence”. Drawing your evidence from the novel The Whale Rider, Write an essay to illustrate the truth of this statement.

  

Answers


Lydia
The Whale Rider
Introduction
The culture of the Maori people pits them in constant co-existence with the supernatural/in the human cycle, there is a permanent bond between the natural and supernatural.
(Accept any other relevant introduction =- 2mks)

Content
Si First and foremost, naming of the new- born was done after their ancestry. Kahu for example, is named after the great ancestor of the tribe, Kahutia Te Rangi, who was given great honour. His monument stands in great honour outside the meeting house.


Sii The Maori people’s beliefs are enshrined in direct communication with the whales. Their ancestor, the golden man, Paikea or Kahutia Te Rangi, is said to have ridden on the head of the whale onto land and this forms the pivot of their history.


Siii The golden whale rider is said to have released wooden spears that flew onto land as designed and projected. The last wooden spear is said to have been designed to spring to life at some point and save the people when the opportunity arises.
Siv Kahu’s cord and afterbirth is buried just outside the tribe’s meeting house, before the great monument of Kahutia Te Rangi creates a sort of link between the living and the ancestor, through Kahu. Kahu, according to Nani Flowers, significantly represents the last spear.


Sv Kahu’s behavior, especially under water while diving for her great grandfather’s curved stone, points to her connection with the supernatural. She swims effortlessly and even talks to the dolphins and kisses them when they direct her to the carved stone. She is guarded by the dolphins while unconscious after being released by the ancient bull whale until she is found by the tribe floating on the sea.


Svi Kahu too is capable of talking and listening to whale talk. She communicates to the ancient bull whale and convinces him that she is Kahutia Te Rangi, the whale rider. The whale creates a stirrup, footholds and handholds and even pommels for her to grasp and sit comfortably on its head. Through Kahu’s conviction, the ancient bull whale, who is the life of the tribe, is taken back to the sea. This was important for the tribe because if whale lived, the tribe would live and if he died, then the tribe also died.


Svii The whale debate deep in the ocean about the identity of the whale rider and the argument between the ancient bull whale and the old mother whale is a pointer that the whales had power and control over the life of Kahu. They agree that the rider is too light and small to be the real Paikea, the whale rider and they decide that she is his descendant who is yet to fulfill her purpose on land and they bring her back to land. (Accept any 4 well developed points, Mark 3:3:3:3 = 12mks)


Conclusion
There is a very significant/ powerful link between the natural and the supernatural, where the supernatural have influence over the natural.
(Accept any other valid conclusion = 2mks)
Summary
Introduction = 2mks
Content = 12mks
Grammar and presentation =4mks
Conclusion = 2mks
20MKS
lydiajane74 answered the question on January 23, 2018 at 08:55


Next:  Drama Francis Imbuga, Betrayal in the City “Boss is not to blame for all the ills in his government”. With close reference to the text,...
Previous: Read the passage and then answer the questions that follow; 1. Two weeks before the fateful examination began; I was indiscreet enough to fight the principal’ s...

View More English Literature Questions and Answers | Return to Questions Index


Exams With Marking Schemes

Related Questions