Write a paper in which you discuss your choice of Whale Rider or Ceremony in relation to the following topic: Indigenous cultures around the world have suffered from the destructive impact of colonization. However, both the novel and the film offer the possibility that indigenous cultures can respond to that impact in constructive ways by re-imagining their traditional myths to respond to new cultural circumstances. In light of these facts, discuss your choice of story as an example of the ways that myths can respond to changing cultural circumstances. How does your chosen story use traditional myths as the basis for new “myth-making”? In other words, how does your story build from the foundation of traditional myths (of the Pueblo or the Maori people) to tell a new story that fulfills at least some of the functions of the traditional myths of its culture? Be specific when referring to traditional myths in your story. For either story, you should refer to specific passages from the novel or film to support your ideas. You may also use any materials from the course reader or our Canvas page. However, avoid long quotations; your paper should be written primarily in your own words. Also, avoid too much plot summary; you should refer to the plot only as much as you have to to make your points clear. Also, you should NOT consult any sources other than those listed above. No outside research is allowed, and any paper that clearly contains material from an outside source will receive a 0. Be sure to give credit to your sources by using parenthetical citations within the body of your paper, like this: (Ceremony, 129) or (WMR, 61) or (notes). To cite Whale Rider, briefly describe the scene you want to refer to. Failure to cite any sources will result in your grade being lowered one full letter (e.g., from an A to a B).
