Whale Rider Case

The story, whale rider, is about Kahu who loves grandfather, Koro Apitana. This story tells about the family relationship with keeping the tradition. In New Zealand, the male have to take the tradition to be a whale rider. Kahu was the only the girl who can take the line for the next generation. However, Koro Apitana did not want to receave the situation and struggle with the relationship between grate-granddaughter.

Because of the tradition, Koro Apirana didn't want to accept the situation that he only had woman for next generation to have a whale rider. His attitude was cold. He says,"She won't be any good to me...No good. I won't have anything to do with her" (16). Even though Koro Apirana looked not happy about Kahu, she always wanted him and wanted to get attention from him. According to the book, "It was surprising how closely Kahu and Koro Apirana resembled each other. The only difference was that she loved him but he didn't love her"(33-34).

Koro Aporana was the high position at the village. When he had a meeting at meeting house, Kahu was always sneaking into the boys meeting and listening their conversation. She was interested in what they were doing because Koro's attention was always for boys. When there was a challenge for boys to get the stone from the ocean, but no one couldn't get it. Then after that, Kahu went to get it. She accomplished with heloing from dolphins. She was the truly whale rider, but Koro thought the meaning of Kahu became next whale rider is to break the tradition.

On the other hand, finally he realized that she was the next generation's line. When the whales were stranded on the seashore, Kahu helped whales to go back to the deep ocean. In this situation, she should have been supposed be afraid to go with whale, but she said, "I am not afraid to die."(132). This tells how strong Kahu was and was chosen to be a whale rider. When she was departed at the seashore and at the hospital, Koro finally showed his loved her and accepted that tradition.

Sometimes it is difficult to accept the traditions that might be caused to change. Koro was scared to change and break the tradition because he had a responsibility to protect. Tradition causes to make confliction between families, but it is important to accept because it is the right way to do it.