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Texts in Tandem Practice Essay Eshiyu Park Inevitably, it is the connection between the texts that are of interest

t to the responder. The issues and concerns that are raised in texts can only be wholly interpreted by their comparison with each other. By both comparing and contrasting the context, techniques and thematic concerns of different texts, responders can begin to analyse the expansive nature of the issues at hand. Niki Caros Whale Rider (2002) explores the roles of men and women and their involvement in the struggles of a detrimental western colonialism through a unique context, and Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart (1958) displays similar issues, however, through a different approach. Because of this, the connections between the two texts bear a critical importance to the full understanding of the themes. Niki Caro explores the obvious masculinity that is the driving factor behind the patriarchal structure of the Maori tribe in her film Whale Rider. Kahu Paikea Apirana, or Pai, is a 12 year old girl struggling to become the chief of a Maori tribe after her twin brother dies at birth, and her grandfather, Koro, believes that this position is reserved for males only. Inevitably, he oppresses and mistreats her unfairly. This is due to Koros overriding devotion to their traditional culture which places superiority upon males, and this notion is introduced almost immediately in the film with a tranquil voiceover by Pai, saying There was no gladness when I was bornEveryone was waiting for the firstborn boy to lead us, but he died, and I didnt. Caro opens effectively, thrusting us as viewers into the realm of a young girl living in a male dominated community. Koro further displays the focus of their culture on masculine facets when he excludes Hemi from the traditional task of recovering the whale tooth due to his sympathy towards Pai, bluntly saying Not you, Hemi. Not only are the Maoris masculine principles emphasized, Caro also highlights the consequences of disrespecting traditional culture, further stressing the importance of males in the patriarchal society. However, throughout the film, Caro incorporates symbolism to indicate the true importance of Pai and her role, as a female, in restoring the unity of the tribe which Koro failed to do. When Koro explains the analogy of the thick rope, and how all the little ropes represent the unbreakable unison of the tribe, he breaks the rope soon after and Pai is able to tie the rope together again and start the boat engine. Unquestionably, Caro signifies the importance of Pai as a female and her ability to assume the role of chief. Despite the incorporation of a different text type and milieu, Achebes novel Things Fall Apart draws parallels with the roles of males and females in Whale Rider, however he also creates distinction between the results of turmoil within both societies. Things Fall Apart brings a

successful male, Okonkwo, to the heart of a patriarchal Igbo tribe in Nigeria, and he is introduced with high social status despite his effeminate father. Immediately we are shown Okonkwos masculine aspects, refusing to show emotion and weakness and ultimately bringing trouble and sorrow upon himself and his family. This reflects Igbos phallocratic view of male dominance, and furthermore, Achebe assigns women to inferior and small crops such as coco yams, but designates males to the king of crops. Despite the obvious emphasise on the Igbos patriarchal nature, Achebe makes sure to imbue an underlying importance of females. He makes known that the god of reason, Ani, is a female, reflecting the significance of women within the Igbo tribe, that which is commonly overlooked. Achebe explicates the ultimate reliance on females and draws attention to the fact that, ultimately, the tribe has entrusted their wellbeing to a female. Unlike Whale Rider, however, Achebe creates an alternate ending, portraying the failure and deterioration of a patriarchal tribe through the suicide of Okonkwo and the title of the District Commissioners book The Pacification of the Primitive Tribes of the Lower Niger. Caro expresses the detrimental decay of the Maori culture brought about by colonialism, resembling the struggles of the Igbo in Things Fall Apart. Caro forms a recurring motif of the whales in the ocean, reflecting natures importance to the Maori culture. To reveal and criticise the impact of colonialism on the attempt to preserve their culture, however, she incorporates scenes of some women smoking, with which Pai says Maori women have got to stop smoking, indicative of the fact that she strives to protect tradition and to eradicate the negative effects of colonialism. On top of this, some of Koros friends are shown in a dilapidated manner, and Caro makes clear the junk splayed across the yard. In effect, this reflects the gradual loss of respect for culture that comes hand in hand with the introduction of a foreign entity. However, the Maori tribe is led to a brighter future by the usurpation of Pai as chief, and the cultures prospects of a reunited society are shown in I know that our people will keep going forward, all
together, with all of their strength.

Achebe takes on a similar perspective of the consequences of western colonialism, however he presents us with an unlike conclusion. Throughout the novel, Achebe juxtaposes the vast difference and contradictions between the Igbo culture and the Europeans, revealing that the Europeans are a culture that requires pacification due to their lunatic religion. When we are presented with the invasion of the Europeans, Achebes contrasting of the two cultures aids in the delivery of the disintegration of the Igbo culture towards the end of the 19 th Century. Resembling a final act of dissolution, Okonkwos suicide is symbolic of the death of a culture. Achebe portrays Okonkwo as the epitome of the Igbo people, and his gradual deterioration and death is reflective of Umuofias social erosion and cultural degradation. Unlike Whale Rider, Achebe employs a more unforgiving outcome of colonialism, and between the two texts we are able to interpret the broad nature of colonialism.

Chinua Achebe and Niki Caro exhibit similar views on the roles of males and females as well as the effects of colonialism through their texts Things Fall Apart and Whale Rider. The corresponding perspectives and implications of these ideologies are made clear, however the differing contexts and mediums contributes further comparison between the two, ultimately expanding the responders knowledge of the concerns involved.

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