Analysis
Witi Ihimaera’s short story “The Whale” does not follow a traditional structure, although some plot elements are present. The story follows an old man’s memories and is not laid out chronologically. The man’s memories include two main events which function like sub-narratives: the meeting with his niece, and the story of a wedding.
The story includes three characters: the old man, Hera, and the collective character of the Maori community. However, the story is centred on the main character, the old man who represents Maori wisdom and spirituality and who struggles with sadness and frustration at seeing his culture is dying.
The story is set in modern New Zealand in a village by the sea. The setting is one of the essential elements of the narrative because it is filled with symbols, such as the local meeting house and the whale on the beach, which are depicted as symbols of Maori culture. Furthermore, the social setting is a deep exploration of Maori customs and spirituality, and the way they clash with European mainstream culture.
The story is a third-person limited narration told from the point of view of the main character, the old man. The language used by the narrator suggests that he shares the perspective of the main character and that he sometimes reflects the character’s stream of consciousness.
The language used in the short story stands out for its similes, metaphors, and Maori words. The Maori words give the story authenticity and enhance its themes and message. Metaphors and similes convey the old man’s perspective and give deeper meanings to places and actions.