Whale

Rider Essay

By Charlie Officer

In the film Whale Rider, it is clear that Pai must overcome

resistance as she tries to assume her destiny as the leader. In
particular scenes in the movie, it is shown that Pai deals with
Koros views of her, deal with situations, and trying to fit into a
mans world.

Pai struggles with Koro as his views of her weaken. As Koro
starts to view Pai as a weak link, Pai stands up to Koro, and
shows him how useful, talented and remarkable she is. When
she was born, thats where it all went wrong for us says Koro. In
the Whale Rider Koro sets up a Chief School to try and find the
next leader and when the Children sat down Pai sits at the front.
Koro does not believe this is right, and forces her to sit at the
back. Pai doesnt move. She shows Koro that she is worthy of
doing what men can do, and that she can be a leader. Koro does
not believe that Pai can be a leader, even though she has shown
that she can be. In the film, Pai does numerous things that show
her leadership capabilities. These scenes include when she fixes
the rope, gets the whale tooth, and of course, when she rides the
whale. Pai overcomes Koro and succeeds in being great.

Pai is living in a mans world. Women are not seen as important
in traditional Maori Culture, and this tradition has carried on to
the present day. Pai has to overcome views of her being
unimportant and views of her only doing what women do. Pai
proves herself as important when she stands her and shows
what she can do. In the movie, Pai becomes the Chief, rides the
whale, and shows her leadership capabilities. Pai shows herself
more than just a typical woman.

Finally, Pai handles difficult situations with ease. Pai faces

challenges that are hard to deal with, but she deals with them
carefully and respectfully. In the movie, Pai has to conquer that
fact that her mother and brother are not alive, her father is
away, Koro is starting to dislike her, and that the tribe is falling
apart. Pai stays strong throughout the movie and continues to
act brave and show what she can do.

Pai does deal with challenges in the Whale Rider. She stands up
to Koro, proves herself in a mans society and handles with
difficult situations. Pai does overcome resistance as she tries to
assume her destiny as leader.