Whale Rider Culture

During the film whale rider, we see the characters, Paka and Pai. Paka, growing up the way he did, follows every rule that their tradition has, whereas Pai, being born into the modern world, wants the Maori people to think more progressively. During childbirth, Pai’s mother dies, along with Pai’s twin brother, who was in line for the role of the chief. This is enough change for Paka as he decides that Pai cannot fulfil the role. At first, Paka is just blind to Pai’s ability to be the chief, he is harsh and strict towards her. Though in the end he can see her potential, he just chooses not to acknowledge it. However, his intentions are good and everything he does is out of respect and fear for his culture.

Paka’s outdated beliefs of his culture, …show more content…
In the end Paka looks from a different perspective and sees Pai’s ingenuity. Paka is afraid of what could happen to his tribe if he changes the ways they have always known. Therefore he is too scared to give in to Pai’s talent, instead he begins a school, trying to teach the boys to be leaders. It may seem as though Paka is being harsh by not letting Pai indulge in the activities that the boys participate in, but he is just nervous that it could lead to Pai becoming the chief. Pai stays strong despite all the setbacks, although sometimes she starts to question her worth and significance. For instance, when Paka is screaming at Pai to “apologize for continually trying to be like the boys”. It is Pai that saves the whales and in doing so, she finally convinces her grandfather that she can be the chief. Furthermore, when Pai risks her life and ends up in hospital, they overcome their differences on leadership and Paka apologizes for his mistakes. This evidence suggests that even though Paka was being quite strict, he eventually changed his ways, after Pai showed a great act of courage. When Paka started the school, it proves that he had so little belief in Pai that he felt he needed to train someone else for the role. Due to the fact that Paka and Pai have many differences, they are always arguing and the tribe doesn’t work as well together when this is happening. As soon as they accept each other’s differences, the Maori people benefit majorly. Paka and Pai do eventually overcome their differences though it takes a few collisions and fights for this to happen. Unfortunately, before Pai can get Paka to acknowledge her, she has to put her life in danger. Luckily she survived and Paka comprehends what he could’ve