Essay, Research Paper
This is an explorative essay on the theme in Patricia Grace?s novel Potiki that ?telling and retelling stories is an important and valuable part of being human?.
An important theme in Potiki is the enduring idea that creating and sharing stories as a central part of being human is important. It is a significant theme because the novel is heavily imbued with Maori culture, in which the stories and spoken teachings are given prominence, and also because it is a popular belief that people need narratives to give meaning, structure and value to their lives. This theme is displayed resolutely and poignantly in Potiki?s plot, characters, setting and symbolism, as the people of a small rural New Zealand community rediscover themselves through stories spoken and found in Maori carvings. The idea that humans need narratives is the core theme in Potiki, and it is used also to link other themes and aspects of the novel; it is in this way that we know the idea of storytelling is an intrinsic part of the novel?s structure.
The idea that ?creating and sharing stories is important as a central part of being human? is shown in Potiki?s plot and characters when the mother of the main family in the book, Roimata, decides to let two of her children learn at home instead of at school. Instead of teaching them herself in the style of a traditional European education system, both Roimata and the children learn naturally from stories and histories which are shown as being part of everyone’s life. For example, Roimata says,
?It was a new discovery to find that these stories were, after all, about our own lives, were not distant, that there was no past or future that all time is now-time, centred in the being.? (Pp39.)
In this way Roimata and the children are essentially learning in a way in which all people learn to some extent: by sharing stories. The idea that the telling and retelling of stories sustains, enlarges and defines our view of the world is shown in Potiki when Roimata continues,
?They were not new stories to us, except that stories are always new, or else there is always something new in stories.? (Pp132.)
The character is emphasising the moral and educational value of stories in human development and understanding by saying that there is always something to learn from stories, even when they are retold repeatedly. Each of the main characters in Potiki has a story to tell, and each story is equally important. Not all the stories are different, for example Roimata and Hemi live and tell similar stories, but nonetheless both are still important as they add understanding and different view points to each other. Roimata says,
?And although the stories all had different voices, and came from different times and places and understandings? each one was like a puzzle piece which tongued and grooved neatly together.? (Pp 41.)
Another way in which the idea that ?creating and sharing stories is a central part of being human? is explored in Potiki is through setting, as the freedom of expression and story-telling can be tied to the land because the landscape contains stories of the people. This idea is expressed later,
?The land and the sea and the shores are a book too, and we found ourselves there.? (Pp104.)
The land is an important part of the characters’ lives because they believe it contains within it the stories that make up their collective history. When developers begin to work on the ancestral land it is said,
?We tried to turn our backs on the hills and not look up?we could not forget that it was land who, in the beginning, held the secret, who contained our very beginnings within herself.? (Pp110.)
The fact that Potiki is set in New Zealand is very significant to the theme because, as stated, narratives and oral teachings are very important in the understanding and teaching of Maori culture, in which Potiki is suffused.
Symbolism plays a considerable part in exploring the storytelling theme in Potiki from the very beginning of the book in the prologue. The carver in Potiki does not merely carve figures out of wood, but instead seeks out and exposes the figures that are already hidden in the trees. It can be told from this idea that the carver represents the traditional storyteller in the way that the stories told ? or figures carved ? are already in existence, and the storyteller is the master who depicts the story for others to understand and learn from.
Another way in which symbolism is used to explore the theme of the importance of storytelling is the distinct parallels, for example their ?special knowing? and unusual births, between the character of Toko in Potiki and Maui, a supernatural being from Maori mythology. By linking the two characters the author is then able to link modern life (represented by Toko) with traditional stories and show how ancient parables can still be related to the present.
A further way in which symbolism is used in Potiki to examine the importance of storytelling is the recurring allusion to the traditional Maori motif of the spiral of life and death. The spiral is never complete, and in the same way, there is always, as Roimata comments,
“One more story to be told, a story not of beginning or an end but marking only a position on the spiral”. (Pp180.)
The core theme in Patricia Grace?s novel Potiki that ?telling and retelling stories is an important and valuable part of being human? is useful to all readers because by sharing views with others and listening to each other and each other?s stories, people not only learn about what is important to others, but what is valuable to themselves.
Другие работы по теме:
Change Of Midevil Philosophy Essay Research Paper
The Celts religion was a form of animism, which is explained as seeing spirits in everything: rivers, threes, rocks, etc,. These spirits were like Gods which controlled whatever they were god of. The literature of this time was filled with magic and fantasy. They told stories of love, and awesome adventures.
Things They Carry Essay Research Paper THINGS
Things They Carry Essay, Research Paper THINGS THEY CARRY Through the novel we have understood what O’Brien thinks of true war stories. O’Brien statements about war stories is a true war story is never moral, you can’t tell a true war story. It’s beyond telling. In a true war story, nothing is absolutely true.
Compare And Contrast The Thrill Of The
Grass And The Balek Scales Essay, Research Paper Jan. 29 1999 Pettit 3rd period The two stories I am comparing and contrasting are, “The Thrill of the Grass” and “The Balek Scales.” The reason I chose these two stories is because out of all the stories that we have read this year these two were my favorites. In this paper I am going to be contrasting more than comparing because these stories have little in common.
Comparative Essasy
– Comparing My Mother And My Father Essay, Research Paper Where do they get this stuff? Some people say that you are a sum of all of your influences. For the most part, I agree with these people. I have had many influential people in my life. I believe my friends, people I have worked with, schoolmates and even television has helped mold me into who I am today, but I think the two most influential people in my life were my parents.
Family Essay Research Paper Scholarship EssaySince the
Family Essay, Research Paper Scholarship Essay Since the day I was born, I have enjoyed story-telling. My first memories are of my father spinning me tales, as I nodded off. Every night I traveled back in time through his stories. I learned of Nero’s sadistic burning of Rome, Adolph Hitler’s maniacal reign, and Sojourner Truth’s brilliant speech.
Heart Of Darkness Vs Apocalypse Now Essay 2
Heart Of Darkness Vs. Apocalypse Now Essay, Research Paper In the article, ?Narratological Parallels in Joseph Conrad?s Heart of Darkness and Francis Ford Coppola?s Apocalypse Now? Linda Costanzo Cahir compares and contrasts both the novella and the film. Both writers had the same theme and meaning in mind, but their structure and technique was what made the stories different.
Comparing Tragedies How To Tell A War
Story, And Deat By Landscape) Essay, Research Paper Tim O’Brien’s “How to Tell a Ture War Sotry” and Margaret Atwood’s “Death by Landscape” are tragic stories that are relived through the memories of the narrators.
Storyteling Essay Research Paper Sophia ChenEcomp 100Essay
Story-teling Essay, Research Paper Sophia Chen Ecomp 100 Essay #5 24 Oct 1996 Story-Telling Storytelling has helped humankind evolve into a wiser species by allowing those with enough attentiveness and intelligence to learn from the mistakes of their predecessors. The Chinese culture, like many others world wide, base their beliefs largely on stories passed down from generation to generation.
The Jilting Of Granny Weatherall And Worn
Path: Compare And Contrast Essay, Research Paper The short stories, ?The Jilting of Granny Weatherall? by Catherine Anne Porter and ?A Worn Path? by Eudora Welty, have many similarities as well as differences. Both stories have a simple plot with a theme that is symbolic of their lives. These stories include great characterization, description of elements in the stories, and the point of view.
Charles W ChestnuttS The Conjure Woman Essay
, Research Paper The Conjure Woman The first half of Charles W. Chestnutt’s The Conjure Woman begins with the interaction between a Northern white male and the conventional portrayal of a slave. In the novel an old ex-plantation slave, Julius, recounts stories that he says he heard as a child. The audience of the stories is the white Northern male, who is the narrator of the story, and his sickly wife, Annie.
The Symbolism Of Religion And Comparison Essay
, Research Paper The Symbolism of Religion and Comparison In comparing the books “Confession of the Jews” and “First Confession”, I have found there to be similarities and differences. For example, “First
Report On Reding In The Dark Essay
, Research Paper The novel, Reading in the Dark, is written by Seamus Deanne. This book is written from the viewpoint of a little boy who explains the episodes of his life as he grows up. Apparently, Deanne said in an interview with the Irish Times, that the accounts in the story are taken from his own family along with the other families in his neighborhood in Derry, Northern Ireland.
Similarities Of Harper Lee
’s Life To Her Nove “to Essay, Research Paper To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee What similarities did Harper Lee?s life have with Scouts life? In Harper Lee?s
The Woman Warrior Essay Research Paper The
The Woman Warrior Essay, Research Paper The Woman Warrior The most important theme that really stood out to me was the talk stories. The whole book mainly deals with the talk stories. The second theme that I felt
Night Essay Research Paper The NightNight by
Night Essay, Research Paper The Night Night by Elie Wiesel is a story of one of the few Holocausts survives. He and the many others are being persecuted for their religious beliefs. In the Jewish community of Sighet everyone was in disbelief for what was in store for them. Then the acts of cruelty to each other in time of need, to hoping to survive one day to the next.
Gift Of Magi And Necklace Essay Research
Paper Rob Reynolds In the short stories “The Gift of the Magi”, and “The Necklace” there are many things that can noticed that are similar. The settings of these two stories are very similar:
Scholarship Essay Essay Research Paper FamilySince the
Scholarship Essay Essay, Research Paper Family Since the day I was born, I have enjoyed story-telling. My first memories are ofmy father spinning me tales, as I nodded off. Every night I traveled back in timethrough his stories. I learned of Nero’s sadistic burning of Rome, Adolph Hitler’smaniacal reign, and Sojourner Truth’s brilliant speech.
Sex And Work Essay Research Paper Sex
Sex And Work Essay, Research Paper Sex and Work Women have made some strides in overcoming harassment and discrimination, but there is still a long way to go. When a corporate meeting is taking place, before the meeting, all the guys will be sitting around telling their little stories, until a woman walks in.
Arabian Nights Essay Research Paper Throughout history
Arabian Nights Essay, Research Paper Throughout history there have been many tales passed down from generation to generation. Arabian Nights has been one of them. Arabian Nights contains an outer and inner framework. The outer consists of Scherazade telling stories to the Sultan each night to stay alive.
Mythology Essay Research Paper History reminds us
Mythology Essay, Research Paper History reminds us we do not exist in a vacuum but are beings part of a larger whole dependent on shared wisdoms and beliefs. Countless aeons of story telling traditions and evolving mythologies speak to the very heart of our humanity. These shared stories, rituals and wisdoms have fallen by the wayside leaving our children with a sense of profound isolation and detachment.
Allen A Dale Essay Research Paper Why
Allen A Dale Essay, Research Paper Why do individuals pass down stories orally instead of by writing? Before the time period that writing even existed, individuals had no choice, but to express themselves orally. During this time, they passed down these stories from generation to generation, but there may have been some minor changes because of the misinterpretation of the readers of the stores.
American Folklore Essay Research Paper Native American
American Folklore Essay, Research Paper Native American Folklore Many cultures have morals set for the younger generations, to help aid them through life. Story telling, or folklore first explained most of these morals. Storytellers were the most important people because they told, drew, and sang messages to the younger people.
Frederick Douglass Narrative Essay Research Paper Frederick
Frederick Douglass Narrative Essay, Research Paper Frederick Douglass s Narrative In Frederick Douglass s Narrative, Douglas himself narrates the novel using story telling to bring both the reader into the story, and the theme into focus. Through his narration, Douglass also uses narrative strategies like anecdotes, and plot twists.
In The Skin Of A Lion Essay
, Research Paper Historical Obliviousness in Michael Ondaatje’s In the Skin of a Lion Graciela Moreira Slepoy, Postgraduate Student, Laval University, Canada
Religious Sai Baba Essay Research Paper On
Religious Sai Baba Essay, Research Paper On November 23, 1926, in a remote village in southern India, Sai Baba was born and given the family name of Satyanarayana Raju. He was one of the great people born to do good in this world. Many stories began that after Sathya was born, strange “miracles” were beginning to occur.
Joel Chandler Harris Essay Research Paper Joel
Joel Chandler Harris Essay, Research Paper Joel Chandler Harris’ stories are so impressive because of the way he presents them and because of their humorous wisdom. Unlike many stories about black culture, Harris’ stories were taken from blacks that he had actually known. Moreover, stories such as “How Mr.
Irony In The Canterbury Tales Essay Research
Paper Irony is the general name given to literary techniques that involve surprising, interesting,or amusing contradictions. 1 Two stories that serve as excellent demonstrations of irony are ?The Pardoners Tale? and
Various English Essays Essay Research Paper Various
Various English Essays Essay, Research Paper Various English EssaysN. Scott Momaday divides his book The Way to Rainy Mountain in an interesting manner. The book is divided into three chapters, each of which contains a dozen or so numbered sections, each of which is divided into three parts. The first part of each numbered section tends to be a legend or a story of the Kiowa culture.
Kkk And The Cross In Cincinnati Essay
, Research Paper The KKK and the Cross The KKK are only putting the cross up in Fountain Square because they want attention. Do we want to give them what they want? NO! So, we can all not pay any attention to the cross. Instead of criticizing it, we worship it. It?s like whenever a little kid is doing something really annoying and you keep telling them to stop, but they don?t because they just want attention.
Sling Blade Essay Research Paper How did
Sling Blade Essay, Research Paper How did Carl relate to: 1. Linda: Carl acted respectfully toward Linda. He was generous. When he left he dropped off his savings, and fixed the washing machine. He told Linda how she was a good mother and how Frank’s eyes light up when he is around her. He told Linda how much he appreciates her attitude towards him, making him biscuits at night and providing him with a place to stay.
Oral Tradition Of Indians Essay Research Paper
Conflict Between the Oral Tradition and the Written Form in The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven The oral tradition of passing along history, information and stories of culture have been around since the beginning of time. In many cultures today, oral traditions are still the main means of passing down knowledge and history.
Comparison John Updike
’s A&P And Timothy O’brein’s How To Tell A True War Story Essay, Research Paper Although the short stories, ?A&P,? by John Updike, and ?How to Tell a True War Story,? by Timothy O?Brien, are both written in the technique of first person narrative, the two stories are are conveyed to the reader in very different styles.
Review The Freak Essay Research Paper
Carol Matas is the award-winning author of many highly acclaimed young adult novels. The Freak is another wonderful book. Her previous stories include, Lisa, Jesper, The Burning Time, Sworn Enemies and her latest book, Telling.