Analysis of Witi Ihimaeras 'The Whale Rider' on the basis of Postcolonial Theory

Hausarbeit , 2009 , 16 Seiten , Note: 2,3

Anglistik - Kultur und Landeskunde

The Whale Rider novel is a positive and sensitive representation of Maori culture and several terms of postcolonial theory can be determined within the novel. That is why it appears worth analysing this text in the context of postcolonial literary studies which is the purpose of this term paper. In chapter 1 I will give a short summary about the colonial and postcolonial history of New Zealand and its postcolonial literature tradition. Chapter 2 deals with the novel´s main characters and the narrative structure while chapter 3 detects the features of postcolonial theory which are embedded in the story.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• Introduction
• Colonial and Postcolonial History of New Zealand
  • New Zealand literature
• Construction of the Novel
  • Main characters
  • Structure of the novel
• Analysis on terms of Postcolonial Theory
  • Translation and memory
  • Identity, diaspora and hybridity
  • Aspects of gender
• Conclusion
• Bibliography

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte

This term paper aims to analyze Witi Ihimaera's novel "The Whale Rider" through the lens of postcolonial theory. The paper examines the novel's portrayal of Maori culture and its relationship with European colonization, focusing on the themes of identity, tradition, and the struggle for self-determination.

• The impact of colonization on Maori culture and identity
• The role of tradition and cultural heritage in postcolonial societies
• The representation of gender and power dynamics in the novel
• The significance of the whale as a symbol of Maori mythology and cultural connection
• The novel's exploration of the concept of leadership and its challenges in a postcolonial context

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel

The first chapter provides a brief overview of the colonial and postcolonial history of New Zealand, highlighting the impact of European colonization on Maori culture and society. It explores the development of Maori literature as a distinct category within the broader context of postcolonial writing.

The second chapter delves into the construction of the novel "The Whale Rider," examining the main characters and their motivations. It analyzes the narrative structure and its contribution to the overall themes of the story.

The third chapter focuses on the application of postcolonial theory to the novel. It explores key concepts such as translation and memory, identity, diaspora, and hybridity, and their relevance to the experiences of Maori characters in the novel.

Schlüsselwörter

The keywords and focus themes of the text include postcolonial literature, Maori culture, identity, tradition, colonization, hybridity, gender, leadership, and the Whale Rider. The paper examines the novel's portrayal of Maori culture and its relationship with European colonization, focusing on the themes of identity, tradition, and the struggle for self-determination.

• Hochschule: Technische Universität Darmstadt (Institut für Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft)
• Veranstaltung: Postcolonial Literature
• Note: 2,3
• Autor: Nancy Reinhardt (Autor:in)
• Erscheinungsjahr: 2009
• Seiten: 16
• Katalognummer: V131491
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640372522
• ISBN (Buch): 9783640372164
• Sprache: Englisch
• Schlagworte: Analysis, Witi, Ihimaeras, Whale, Rider, Postcolonial, Theory