Other Flashcards
What’s a good opening sentence for the essay?
Clenched Fist, by Witi Ihimaera, is about two young men that are part-Maori, part Pakeha and the determination of one of them, Api, to convince the other, George, to join in his protest against the racism and injustice of New Zealand’s society in the 1970’s.
What is the biggest event in the story?
When a woman was late in crossing and was brushed by a speeding car
Why is this the big event?
This is when George opens his eyes and starts to see Api’s point of view for himself. He realises that there is a significant problem of racism and injustice against the Maori and that he might have to join Api in his protests.
How is George viewed at the beginning of the text?
George is a respectable moderate young part-Maori man, that dresses conservatively, has a paying job and doesn’t like conflict, so he tries to calm his friends radical rants
How is George viewed at the end of the text?
George is starting to doubt his moderate pacifism and beginning a new way of thinking, as he realises he needs to actively protest and speak up about the racism and injustice in New Zealand society, just like Api
How is George shown as a pacifist and/or avoids conflict? (inc quotes)
Direct speech and repetition show that he is a pacifist: “Easy, Api, easy.”, “Let it rest.”, “Don’t call it a white racist.”
Direct speech shows he’s not interested in arguing: “I’m to exhausted to take this kind of talk today. Let it rest.”
How is George shown to pushing back against Api? (inc quotes)
Questions are used to show that he’s beginning to argue back: “But how can you know it was an America?”, “Why are you like this?” What happened? Why are you so rabid?”
He’s blaspheming due to frustration at Api: “For Christ’s sake!”
How is Api viewed throughout the text?
Api is aggressive in his opinions about Maori inequality with the majority of white New Zealanders. He is a powerful orator that is trying to persuade George to join him in his aggressive protesting, to get their voices heard. Api isn’t exactly likeable, but his determination and education on the matter are admirable.
What is the main idea in the text?
Racism and injustice - the inequality of Maori’s when compared to the Pakeha
How is racism and injustice shown in the text?
Through Api’s anger and frustration: “we’re just objects, caged animals in a zoo”
Through the incident where George opens his eyes: “Laughter spilled from the receding car. Amusement in the eyes of the bystanders.”
Through Api’s attitude: “We’ve got to fight back. Otherwise, we’re doomed, brother. Doomed”
Through Api’s list or crimes committed by the Pakeha against the Maori: “stolen our land, degraded us of our culture, dispossessed us of our dignity, pushed us into slums, taken away our language, used us as cheap labour and discriminated against us in courts”
