BulibashaKing of the GypsiesWiti Ihimaera

Setting

WAITUHI

• 1950s rural East Coast Maori community. • Poor roads, frequent floods. Descriptions of the

setting highlight the social/racial and economic inequalities present.

"...the village of Waituhi...the best maize, kumara, pumpkin and watermelon crops this side of heaven.”

Waituhi map

Setting examples• Find your own quotes that show the reader about

the setting. Place your quotes under these headings:

• The geographic connection between Waituhi and Hukareka• The general store• Grandmother Ramona’s field• The homestead• The shearing sheds• School• The socio-economic/status differences between Maori and

Pakeha

The drawing room of homestead.• "It was a shrine to blessed people, a testament to

physical prowess and virility, neither of which I possess.""This room makes it clear: I am no use whatsoever to Grandfather". Lack of approval Simeon receives, poor emphasis on education. Brawn not brains (in Tamihana's eyes).

Ramona's Field• "The primary glory, however, was the meadow

itself, wave upon wave of green grass speckled with wild flowers.""The meadow was a place to dream." Ramona's sanctuary, escape. The important land that Ramona gives to Joshua and family, when Tamihana will not. Emphasis on history (land confiscation).

Theme-Racial Inequality/Alienation• "My mother recognised it for what it was-a sneer

at her back, a piece of spite, a play of power.” the general store, with Miss Zelda & Miss Daisy. Pakeha superiority over the Maori (& illiterate) Huria Mahana.

• "Mine the dusty road, Geordie's the tar-seal." Pakeha had better roads, Maori communities still gravel. Particular theme for 1950s NZ.

Courthouse in Gisborne• "There is something wrong, your honour, with a

place like this, if the majority of cases which come before you are Maori and are placed by Pakeha against Maori.” This shows Simeon's realisation of the importance of race/culture, maturity (through opinions). Stands up for beliefs. Also racial inequalities in 1950s NZ.

Gisborne Court, present day

Themes in BulibashaThe novel contains a number of themes.Find some examples from the novel that prove the themes below. Make a clear link to which character/s you believe most clearly demonstrate this theme. Make sure you write down some key quotes to support each theme. You can also come up with your own.

• Without a clear sense of identity, an individual becomes isolated and alienated

• Racial discrimination and limitations can occur externally and internally.

• Inter-generational conflict can result in personal or collective transformation

• The journey from boyhood to manhood is fraught with challenges.• In order to establish a sense of self, one must first challenge the

dominance of those in leadership positions.• Reflecting on the past can establish a clear path to the future.• Education is integral in exceeding the limitations of society

Theme- Journey from Boyhood to Manhood• "Anybody would think the sun shone out his bum"

Simeon's immaturity toward Grandfather.

• "There must come a time when you have to do something not because other people tell you to but because you want to do it yourself. I have come to that time of my life.“

• Starting to mature and develop independent opinions (which he openly voices). Stands up for others in the face of adversary.

Theme - Relationship/Conflict between Generations• Education & Religion-"The theory of evolution. Do

you know we are descended from monkeys?“

• "I had discovered Grandfather's weakness. He feared anything that would destroy his world."

• "Dad, you can't stop progress.” Lack of understanding between generations. Grandfather's refusal to accept change.

Narration: how the story is told• First person reflective narration• Fallible narrator – Simeon gets things wrong. • It is told by adult Simeon, through young Simeon's eyes.

Therefore he is an unreliable narrator – he doesn’t share some key details even though he could (the events have already happened after all).

• Directly speaks to reader. "Did I forget to tell you Haromi had a wicked eye?"

• Often time switches, to present day Simeon (adult).• Involves other genres - Simeon's war movie script

(imagination).• Dialogue- contrasts language of older generations.

"Grandfather sucks".

First person narration

• Find some examples where Ihimaera challenges the conventions of first person narration.

• Why has he done this?

Unreliable narrator

• Find some key quotes/examples that show us that Simeon is an unreliable narrator.

• Explain why he has used this technique

Direct address

• Find some quotes/examples in which Ihimaera uses direct address.

• Explain why he has used this technique

Past and present day

• Find some examples/quotes that show how Ihimaera manipulates the timeline of the story.

• Why has he done this?

Incorporation of other genres• Find some examples/quotes that show Ihimaera incorporating other

genres in this novel.- Chapter 17 – A second world war two-seater fighter plane- SHAKESPEARE (play) Romeo and Juliet Chapter 35 – Maori translated into

English “Romeo, Romeo where for art thou Romeo” - Telephone booth – Chapter 49 spy movies/espionage- Haromi – Chapter 26 pg 116 New teen star Sandra Dee • Why has he done this?- We can make a link between the event and the genre- Helps the reader to better visualise the scene – the reader makes the

associations to the other genres (we borrow our understanding of the conventions and place them in the context of the novel)

- To show Simeon’s education and that he can challenge GT in this area. - Musical references – Helps to show the change in Maori people/culture

(the influence on pop culture on traditional culture) globalisation and colonisation

- Places the reader in the correct era in history. Rebellious teens.

Dialogue that shows generational difference

• Find some dialogue quotes that show us that there is a generational difference between characters.

• Why has Ihimaera chosen to show us this difference?

Ihimaera’s purpose…• Entertain people• Even though times are changing, family links are still

strong – the importance of family is permanent.• To show Maori life, the development/changes over

time.• Showing the ideas around a dictator and how power

can corrupt.• Showing the effects of stereotyping and racism• Marginalisation of Maori in 1950s NZ• Showing the many impacts of abuse (physical,

spiritual, emotional)• Leadership comes with great responsibility

Ihimaera's Purpose• Highlights challenges faced by Simeon, the typical

Maori boy who must mature in order to deal with his Grandfather's assertive control.

• Outlines/questions customs of whanau (1950s).• Alternative side of Maori culture – how Maori

culture was suppressed through a eurocentric education system

• Lessened value of education in Maori life.• Change can be positive• Racial alienation

Structure• How are the novel’s events structured?

Consider:

• What parts of the story are included in each part (Part One, Part Two)Part One: chronological order – young Simeon. Covers about a year. Introduces the family. Shows the conflict between the Poatas and Mahanas. Introduced to the conflict between Simeon and Bulibasha. “It’s time to bring down Olympus”. (allusion) Bulibasha is Olympus – bringing down Bulibasha and his control.Part Two: Grown up Simeon and gives you a hint about his future life ‘you did this…’. Hinting that everything his aunt is saying to Simeon’s son isn’t true. A lot of tension. “whakahihi” Given land. Shearing comp, hockey comp, cultural night. Mohi dies. Bulibasha death. Truth revealed. Reveals the life stories of Haromi, Andrew, Glory etc. Simeon’s “decisions”. Leadership role.• Turning points• Climax • Resolution

Structure• Two parts. 1-Conflict between Simeon & Grandfather. 2-

Conflict between Mahana's & Poata's. All competitions included.

+ Beginning[young boy rebelling]. + Turning Point["If I had to I would bring down Olympus."]+ Battle continues. Simeon learns his own power. "I had discovered a new language...beyond his limited comprehension. In knowledge was power...My grandfather, despite his mana, was piss ignorant."

+ The climax["I had indeed brought down Olympus."] + Resolution[the truth revealed, Grandfather's lies, Rupeni Poata, Simeon's own growth.

Character development: Simeon• Adolescence [12-17yrs] Searches for own identity,

moves away from comfortable childhood, view of world widens, learns about leadership and its difficulties.

• Questions traditions and beliefs. Intelligent, resentful of Grandfather's authority. Imaginative, loving of close whanau, competitive and ultimately a great leader.

• Find some examples from the novel that highlight the different types of conflict Simeon encounters:

• Cultural/spiritual conflict Intergenerational conflict

- • Inner/moral conflict Physical/external

conflict

Cultural and spiritual conflict

• The relationship between Geordie and Simeon and the eventual punishment of Simeon for this relationship.

• - “This will teach you where your place is”• - “It felt like somebody had just stepped over my grave”• - “…more angry because I was there among the Pakeha…”• - “As if Maori didn’t, or shouldn’t, read books”• The maid expecting Simeon to use the side entrance of the house.• The general store • “Pakeha were always boss”• - “there are some souls with whom God signs contracts with

before they are born.”• “Pakeha never make mistakes”

• Biology versus religion• Burning of the book – clash with his grandfather.

Intergenerational conflict

• “Grandfather sucks”• “…not looking Lord of Heaven in the eye”• “There was always hierarchy in the family”• “The Lord our God hath spoken” (referring to GF)• “The younger you were the more worthless you

became”• “I’ve been brought up to hate the Poatas because

they hated us.”• “whakahihi”

Inner/moral conflict• When he swaps the votes for GM Ramona and that changed the

entire outcome for the family. He says he had a conscience about it, but he did it anyway.

• When GF T tells him “you make the decision” – at the end of the novel having to make the decision about her GM R should be buried.

• Debate over whether he should be friends with Geordie/whether he should go to the movies.

• Simeon stopping GF T beating R – he knows morally that it shouldn’t be happening, even though he is putting himself physically at risk.

• The court case in Gisborne. He’s expected to say thank you and could be silent about the injustice, but he uses it as a chance to tell the judge what he thinks.

• Suggested that he should leave school to help the family but his mum insisted that he shouldn’t.

• Making the decision to help with the scrub cutting (leaving his dad to get a hard time from GF T) in order to help the family survive.

Physical and external conflict• Head shaving scene “Tar, tar, tar!”• “Then he was on me. He lifted me up by the scruff of my

neck”• “he pulled me back, half strangled”• “he raised a hand to hit me”• “Before I knew it GF had chopped off the top too. The shears

drew blood”• When Simeon intervenes in the fight between GF T and GF

R. Bulibasha is left in the rain. GM R shows that she is really strong in this scene.

• “Blood pouring from the cut”• The way in which Simeon physically resembles Bulibasha –

this annoys Bulibasha• Pants down scene• Nature and the challenges it provides (physical work of

shearing, scrub cutting, the competitions)

Character change - Simeon• The reader has the benefit of seeing Simeon grow from an adolescent into a

man.

• In what ways does Simeon change as a person (mental/physical/emotional/spiritual) throughout the novel? Find specific examples to support your findings.

• Physically grows in height and strength• He realises the lies that have been told (mental)• Education shows him a different way of life (speaks up for what he believes in –

court scene, challenges Bbasha etc) Whakahihi.• Attitude towards Poppy – starts out seeing her as an object, romantic admiration,

fantasy/shows his imagination. Changes with the climax – she becomes less to him and he lets go – they have a conversation after kissing about the fact that they are from such different family backgrounds – averts the tragedy of R+J.

Spirituality – Adult Simeon – still goes to church, “The way to God is not always straight and narrow, and mine has been as crooked as a dog’s hind leg.” “despite my waverings” “ The church has suffered my waywardness with infuriating patience”. He found God again – needed to find God without his GFs influence. In the beginning he says “God signs contracts…” He realises that you need to find your own path.

Simeon changes• What do you think are the key events/conflicts that result in these

changes?

• Simeon still challenges his aunt’s account of the family history when she is sharing it with Simeon’s son mark (some things don’t change)

• The lies told – undermining his belief system about family and the way things are.

• Violence – beatings – physical elements. He didn’t want to turn out like that.

• Simeon’s education helped him win – strategic, used as a weapon – Rugby team. Simeon is the one who wins the game through stepping in as Charlie Whatu – motivational speech with his cousin Chantelle. Uses his wits. At the end of the game Pera comments on the resemblance between GFT and Simeon.

Simeon character - continued

• In what ways does Simeon adhere to the conventions of the traditional protagonist (good guy)? Find specific examples.

- Has something to say against grandfather- Standing up in physical situations- Takes control – at the end making the choice that everyone should

vote- Changes the vote – doing what GM R wants- Thinking about the wellbeing of the family – GM R- After the rugby game – doing it for the family - Not above looking after his little sister – protects her.- Won’t change the shearing team – everyone is equal.- Steps in when his dad gets injured – shooting the horse

• Why do you think Ihimaera has chosen to present Simeon to the reader in this way?

In what ways does Simeon challenge the conventions of the traditional protagonist? Find specific examples.• Not going along with what GF T wants and the traditions which in some respects tears the family apart.

• At the end when he changes the votes – he does it for the better but it wasn’t honest and you expect him to be. It’s for his own selfish reasons in a way – he wants GM R to have freedom – in this way he is also tearing the family apart.

• Tries to use his education to makes his GF look stupid – doesn’t show respect to his elders

• Playing the organ in church – being a bad influence on Haromi - speeds up the music to make the aunties strain

• Making testimony in church about GM R being beaten – malicious.• He talks about all the nice things his GF does in the community

but also bags him – does confuse the reader at times. BB looking after Lloyd

• Being an unreliable narrator at times he manipulates the reader• Being a teenager he doesn’t see multiple viewpoints – it’s very

black and white.

Character development: Grandfather Tamihana• Strong, authoritative, territorial and proud. "He did not merely enter space; he claimed it.”

• Although respected he is violent, arrogant and possessive.

• "I own her!". Refers to Ramona as a possession.

• Ihimaera portrays both good and bad leadership qualities within this character and in other characters. Find some examples that support this statement.

Positive leadership• Through the rugby team – Simeon’s decision to play for the team• When Tamihana keeps Lloyd on the payroll• Simeon’s pride in his family – the competitiveness with the Poata’s actually

shows family pride• GF T pushing the boys at training (wearing heavier boots)• Uncle Hone – shearing comp – not willing to change Mahana Four. • Rugby competition – Donna who stands up against changing the team.• Courtroom – speaking up despite the consequences• Joshua starts to rebel against Tamihana • Birth right to leadership/respect versus the skills you develop/ respect you earn.• Simeon changing the vote• Rupeni Poata – in many respects – fights for his country, going back to see if

everyone is okay after the car accident, humbleness in defeat, fights fair, “Charlie Whatu”, treatment of GM R.

• When Scott speaks out when the Mahanas have been overcharged for Simeon’s new clothes

• Apirana Ngata – trying to resolve the issues between the families.

Negative leadership• Bulibasha bringing up his family to hate the

Poatas• Bbasha putting himself before the law – “rules are

made to be broken, I am the law”• Uses physical violence as a means of control –

physical threats• Cutting down members of the family verbally

“whakahihi”• The way that Bbasha uses his faith in order to

punish his family – has his own rules/expectations within Mormonism

• The way that the general store ladies behave – using their education against Mrs Mahana.

Grandfather Tamihana development• Find key quotes from the novel that describe Grandfather

Tamihana’s illness and death.

• Why is it that Ihimaera has portrayed Bulibasha’s death in this way (through the eyes and words of Simeon)?

• Is there any indication in the novel that Grandfather Tamihana may have changed over time?

• Do you feel that he is cast unfairly in the role of villain by the narrator? Why or why not?

• Do you think the grizzly nature of Bulibasha’s demise satisfies the reader or lowers the reader’s view of Simeon? Why do you think this?