Essay Questions

Is gender inequality emerging as the main issue highlighted by Niki Caro?

Caro does not directly tackle gender inequality, but she focuses on gender roles, which reveal that there is gender inequality in society. Pai is the only remnant in the Paikea family, but she is a girl. The traditions demand that the first grandson of Paikea be the sole inheritor of the throne. Koro, Pai's grandfather, bonds with her while growing up, but he is sure that the leadership of Maori cannot be entrusted to a woman. However, Pai is determined that she is born a leader, and one day, she will take up the throne. Pai does all the necessary preparations of being a leader, which includes learning the history of the tribe, learning how to sing and govern. However, Koro prefers to groom a boy, even if he is a stranger, to take up the throne instead of a woman. However, the tribe does not justify why a woman cannot lead. Therefore, women are considered inferior, and some specific opportunities, such as leadership, cannot be delegated to them. Consequently, gender inequality emerges as the central theme in the book 'Whale Rider (2000 Film).

What is the role of Pai in the book?

Pai is a symbolic character in this book because she represents a woman's capability in society given equal opportunities. The author highlights the backwardness of the Maori tribe because it does not recognize women's ability to be leaders. However, Pai is a strong female character who is determined to prove to her grandfather and the entire trip that she can lead the community. Koro is responsible for grooming the next leaders, but the only option is Pai, but he cannot entrust society to a woman. Pai realizes that she has to be smarter than anybody else. She passes all the leadership tests, including the most formidable task of locating the whale's tooth from the ocean.

At last, Koro is astonished by Pai's capability Pai, and he asks forgiveness from her as he crowns her as the leader of the tribe. The author is communicating to women that there is nothing that comes from a silver platter. Women have to prove that they are capable, and men in society will respect them.

What does Pai mean when she says, “They were all waiting for our new leader? But he died.”?

Pai is making this statement to reflect the perception of her tribe. Her twin brother passed away at an early age, and he is the one who was expected to lead the community. Therefore, Pai knows that she is the next leader, but society is against that idea. Koro is a chauvinist because he only believes in grooming a boy to lead the community. Pai's statement is symbolic because it prepares the tribe for the first female leader.