The Whale Rider Responce

       After watching the Whale Rider, one can have a new appriciation for culture and family. Paikea perseveres through her grandfathers disagreements and disappointments to become the one who saves her people. There is much to say about the many symbols throughout the film. One very important one being "the rope." The rope symbolizes the ties of the ancestors, each thread being one of them. It is implied that when the motor breaks down that the ties between the ancestors are broken, and Koro can't fix it. However, Pai seems to fix it with ease, this was forshadowing that she would be a great leader. Overall, the film shows the importance of change for a cause that will benefit the many.

The Horse Dealer's Daughter

       The Horse Dealers Daughter is a story in which an emotionally disturbed girl is faced with love. Mabel lost her mother at a young age and now was the only woman in the house with her brothers, who are far from saints, and her father who she loved deeply. However, he died and left the family in great debt. This caused Mabel to fear love. When Mabel was upset she would go to her mothers grave for her comfort. One day she was extreemly depressed and decided to try and end her life to be with her mother. She went to the pond outside of town and submerged herself. Luckily for her Dr. Fergusson witnessed it and went in to save her. He pulled her out of the water and saved her life. This event symbolizes a baptism, because when she came out of the water, she fell in love with the Doctor which was very unlike her. However, it was very short term due to the fact that she became insecure and afraid to love yet again.