Whale Rider Review
... Myth is important to Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera because the narrative structure shifts between the point of view of the narrator and the ancient bull whale who is the mythical creature that carried Paikea to New Zealand 1000 years ago. ... The impact of myth on contemporary Maori culture is shown through the connection between Kahu and the ancient bull whale. ... As Koro wants no involvement, Nani Flowers buries the birth cord underneath the carved figure of the whale rider (Paikea), who comes to the islands of New Zealand riding on the back of a whale and throws a spear onto the land. ... 34) This is essential because it relates to the prologue in which we see the last spear thrown by the whale rider. ... She will be the next whale rider and the next leader of the tribe, even though she is a girl. ... In the climax of the novel, the beaching of the ancient bull whale means that the sea has come to land, mythical past has come to present, and natural world has come to human world. ... Also, the whale is a symbol of the past and if it dies it will signify the death of all the old traditions and customs.