Whale Rider

The movie Whale Rider really emphasized the role of genders in the community. This became increasingly evident as the movie progressed. In the first few minutes, after the twin brother had died, the viewer could recognize that the grandfather and his tradition were reserved for males. The grandfather eventually learned to love his grand daughter, even though she was not what he wanted. The grand daughter’s actions kept angering the grandfather because she was trying to participate in cultural rituals that were only deemed appropriate for males. I think that something that is important to take into consideration when judging the grandfather for his actions toward his grand daughter, is that he was raised with cultural tradition playing a more important role in his life, than his grand daughter and the other boys. The other boys treated the grand daughter as more of an equal than the grand father did. This is partly because they were raised in different times. He was taught the traditions as being reserved only for males, so in a way he was conditioned to act in the way he did. He was probably never exposed to other cultures, where the woman’s role was not limited to housework and raising the children. He was trying to pass on the only thing he knew, his cultural traditions. As an outsider looking into the situation, it is very easy to say that the way the grand father treated his grand daughter was horrible. However, he probably did not agree because their culture permitted it. I think that it is important, when looking at other cultures, to remember that the differences on how people are treated in society are directly reflective of that culture. In the United States and other westernized countries, women are encouraged to take a more active role in society, but this is not the case everywhere, as is evident with the movie.