70 pages • 2 hours read
Witi IhimaeraA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Think about the role of imagery. How does Ihimaera use imagery to express the oneness shared between man and nature? Does he use imagery to assert any other major plot points?
Think of Nanny Flower’s ancestry. How does her lineage juxtapose against Koro Apirana’s beliefs? How are traditional gender roles questioned throughout the novel?
Ihimaera exposes the destructive nature of dichotomies. Explicate what dichotomies are paramount in the novel and how they are transcended to achieve oneness. Think about literary techniques in particular.
What is the role of history and storytelling? Why is it important to understand our own individual past and our community’s past? Why does Ihimaera choose to juxtapose ancient tales with present-day events?
1. Does Rawiri’s perception of Kahu evolve as she ages? Think about pivotal moments in Rawiri’s life, such as when he buries the birth cord, comes back from Papua New Guinea, etc. Analyze their relationship.
Why is the migration of the whale herd told alongside, or rather, in unison with, Kahu’s story? How is this a further portrayal of oneness? Compare and contrast their experiences.
When Rawiri travels to Australia and Papua New Guinea, he understands what it means to be Maori. What connects a person to their culture? Is one’s culture always visible to another? Think about the intersections between culture and one’s personal identity.
At one point in time, God, man, and animals existed in communion. What comments are made about human nature in the work? Contemplate how commercialism has depleted nature of its resources. Does Ihimaera grant humanity any potential for redemption? Explain why or why not.
What is the role of Fate? Is Fate avoidable or changeable? How are Fate, identity, and purpose related? Think about Kahu. How do specific actions throughout the novel seem to solidify or better clarify her Fate?
Ihimaera equates natural occurrences with the shapes and colors of spears. He also uses spears to foreshadow Kahu as the final spear incarnate. Track the evolution of spear imagery and symbolism. Do spears take on multiple meanings throughout the novel? How do spears help connect the past with the present and, ultimately, the future?