Level 1 English Connections

 Throughout your life people may overlook and underestimate you, making you feel small and unable to do what you want. Each character within these pieces has also experienced that feeling. I have chosen to use “reaching and realising your potential” as my theme as it relates to everyone and to my chosen pieces, Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera, No.2 by Toa Fraser, Bathe in the River by Hollie Smith and Brave by Brenda Chapman and Mark Andrews. 

1. The Whale Rider is a novel written by Witi Ihimaera that displays my chosen idea of reaching your potential. The character who represents this in this novel is young Kahu, an eight year old girl who carries the mauri of her ancestor, Kahutia-te-rangi, The Whale Rider. Within the novel, Kahu was underestimated right from birth by her great grandfather, Koro Apirana. Witi Ihimaera wants us to capture the idea that you can be more than what people make you out to be.

2. Soul was portrayed as a trouble-maker who only caused problems for the family. When it came to him to show his true potential as a leader he didn’t fail to prove. His potential is realised when he disobeys his Uncle John to break open the door and break the superstition surrounding that door. This act brings everyone together in the end and is one of the obvious reasons why Soul became successor.

3. Bathe in the River by Hollie Smith is a song about finally feeling the freedom once you break down your barriers. It represents my chosen theme "reaching and realising your potential" perfectly. But it can also be interpreted to mean other messages as well if you look from different perspectives. At times you can feel overwhelmed and taken away with the currents throughout your life, this song helps you to realise you can make it if you believe.

4. The film Brave by Brenda Chapman and Mark Andrews shows the life of Merida, a young princess who has come to the age where she must be wed. She chose a different life for herself and was only able to achieve that when she realized her full potential. The directors executed the film excellently and were a good option for my theme.