Historical Framework Response to Whale Rider (2002)

Within The Whale Rider (2002) there are several historical frameworks present. However, the historical framework that stuck out to me the most was the historical framework dichotomy of Youth versus Old Age. This is because throughout the movie old age is valued over youth. The youth in the movie were expected to respect their elders and the elders in return are supposed to teach them the ways of the past. Although the youth viewed the old as stuck in the traditional past ways. This is because the youth favored the modern progressive ways of life. The elders felt the youth are ignorant and disrespectful of the old ways and traditions. An example from the movie which states this view is when Pai uses the war stick. The war stick is reserved for the men of the tribe and the grandpa makes this clear by reprimanding Pai. However, her uncle who is young shows her the tradition. Thus it shows how the sacred traditions of the elders are seen as less sacred by the youth and are tended to be modernized to fit an individual's agenda.