Crossing Boundaries

What is the definition of conformity? Wikipedia defines conformity as, “a process by which an individual’s attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors are influenced by other people”. Based on that definition my perception of non-conformity would be an individual who does not let other people influence their attitudes, beliefs and behaviors. In the movie The Whale Rider, we see a young girl and her father who could be considered outlaws because of their refusal to except their chosen roles in the Maori tribe.

The first peek we get at a character exhibiting non-conforming behavior, is in the beginning of the movie. Porourangi, the Maori tribes eldest son has just lost his twin son and wife during childbirth. Porourangi’s father, the chief, dismisses Porourangi’s twin daughter who survived, and tell’s Porourangi he must eventually move on and try for a son again in the future. Porourangi does not except the responsibility that his father places on him to father the future chief of the Maori tribe. To Porourangi, it is not important that his child is a boy or a girl. He accepts his daughter and shows his acceptance of her by giving her the name of the Maori’s ancestor Whale Rider, Paikea. Koro, Porourangi’s father is extremely upset by this, the name Paikea should not be used on a daughter. This action of non-conformity by Porourangi’s is followed with many more. Porourangi eventually moves away, leaving his daughter, and follows a path not approved by his father.

Porourangi’s father, Koro, is not happy about Porourangi’s actions, but eventually accepts and learns to love his granddaughter, Pai. Even though Koro feels he follows the rules of his culture very strictly, he too is guilty of non-conformity. His attitude toward his granddaughter is one that society is not willing to accept. In the movie, it is clear that Koro loves Pai, but holds no respect for her. Everyone around him accepts Pai for who she is, except Koro. He can’t see past his desire to have a boy to fulfill his idea of who the next leader of the Maori tribe should be. He is caught up in his old ways, he fails to see the true potential that his granddaughter possesses. He is failing to conform to how society treats their family members, the people we love the most. This was obvious in our class discussion of the movie. Most people seemed really upset with the way Koro treated Pai.

Everyone in this movie was guilty of a little non-conformity. I believe the main focus of the movie was Pai. Conformity for a girl in the Maori tribe was tested through Pai. She did not accept her role as just being a girl. She felt the desire inside of herself to be more. Despite what her grandfather thought, she consistently pushed her boundaries to be able to learn what it was truly meant to be part of the Maori tribe. This meant sneaking into the boys only school and secretly learning what the boys were learning. When she was no longer able to get away with sneaking around the school, she turned to her uncle to help teach her the ways of the Maori tribe. All of this was done against her grandfather’s wishes. Pai knew there was more to her than her gender, and she was willing to break social laws to be who she wanted.

I think when we first hear the words, non-conformity, we hear negativity. When we look further into what it means to not conform, I believe it can be positive as well. He people always conform, then how would we achieve individuality? How would we set ourselves apart from other people. I believe we have to have non-conformity in our world or it would be a very boring