Review of Whale Rider (2003) by Dave M — 03 May 2008

Spoiler Warning**.

The Whale Rider relates to world religions by showing that ones cultures or religious beliefs can put predetermined standards in peoples minds. Paikea's grandfather spent the majority of his time trying to find something that was right in front of him. The story that was passed down to him was the first born son in the family was to be named "Pikea" and was to be chief of the indigenous people of New Zealand. When Pikea was born, her mother and twin brother died. This left her to carry on the tribes tradition. Her grandfather taught all of the first born sons of the tribe the ancient chants and ways to try to find the new tribal chief. Although Pikea was banished from her grandfathers school, she still learned the ways of the tribe by secretly listening in on the classes, and by her uncle teaching her things her grandfather had taught him. After her grandfather blamed her for all of the tribes misfortunes, he finally accepted her as the new chief. She proved herself by saving the ancient Pikea's whale by riding him back into the ocean. Pikea showed great determination in becoming who she knew she should be when everything around her told her she was not to be the chief.

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