By Witi Ihimaera The Writer In 1986 the New Zealand writer, Witi Ihimaera, was living in New York. He saw a stranded whale up the Hudson River. He was already feeling homesick and it made him recall the legend of Kahutia-te-Rangi. Ihimaera grew up near Whangara, where the descendants of Kahutia are said to live. He wrote the novel in three weeks. Background Information The Legend of Kahutia-teRangi Kahutia-te-Rangi travelled from Hawaiiki but his canoe capsized. A whale saved him and he rode its back to shore. To commemorate this voyage he was given the name ‘Paikea’ . His descendants live at Whangara, on the East Coast of the North Island. INTRODUCTION WHAT IS A NOVEL? Select the 7 typical features of the novel genre from this list and write them down. LEAVE TWO LINES UNDER EACH. text is organised into sections called chapters a single, short, compressed incident is the story single or multiple narrators may be used lines are set out in stanzas text is a combination of narrative, description, and dialogue factual and informative text may use first and/or third person point of view to tell the story focus is on one or more main characters and their relationships need not use punctuation as many lines are incomplete a detailed physical and cultural and historical setting is often established  speakers’ names are listed down the margin next to what they say  the main ideas are often universal themes every reader can identify with           DOES THE WHALE RIDER FIT THE GENRE? Indicate how this novel shows each of your 7 features. For example: 1. single or multiple narrators may be used The Whale Rider uses two different narrators or ‘voices’ to tell the story. One narrator tells the legend; and the other is Rawiri, Kahu’s uncle. 2. text is organised into sections called chapters The novel ……………………………. 3. text is a combination of narrative, description, and dialogue Examples are ……………………………. 4. text may use first and/or third person point of view to tell the story In the novel the points of view are …………… 5. focus is on one or more main characters and their relationships In the novel ……………….……………… 6. a detailed physical and cultural and historical setting is often established In the novel ……………….……………… 7. The main ideas are often universal themes every reader can identify with In the novel ……………….……………… MAIN IDEAS/ THEMES What ideas in the novel do you see reflected in each of these images? THE TITLE Titles are often a key to a main theme in the text. Suggest two ways we can interpret the title. What are some key ideas or themes presented in this novel? Use any of these words to state what you think are two key ideas in the story: • • • • Culture … Nature … Faith in yourself … Tradition … Give evidence: an EVENT and a QUOTATION from the novel to support each of these 3 themes. THEME 1 Your culture is an important part of your sense of identity. EVIDENCE - EXAMPLE Going to the wananga classes to learn tribal lore gives Rawiri and the boys a sense of mana and pride in their ancestry. “All of us felt the need to understand more about our roots.” p.50 THEME 2 Growing up is not easy and requires a lot of personal courage. Give evidence: an EVENT and a QUOTATION from the novel to support. THEME 2 Growing up is not easy and requires a lot of personal courage. EVIDENCE - EXAMPLE THEME 3 We need to respect nature and the environment we live in. Give evidence: an EVENT and a QUOTATION from the novel to support. THEME 3 We need to respect nature and the environment we live in. EVIDENCE - EXAMPLE