The people before Flashcards
Who wrote The People Before?
Maurice Shadbolt.
What is the main theme of The People Before?
The conflict between colonial settlers and indigenous people, and the impact of land ownership.
Who is the narrator of The People Before?
A man reflecting on his family’s farm and its history.
Where is the story set?
In rural New Zealand.
What does the farm symbolize in The People Before?
It symbolizes colonial occupation and the tension between settlers and indigenous heritage.
Who are the ‘people before’ in the story?
The indigenous Maori people who originally lived on the land.
How does the narrator’s father view the land?
As something to be owned, controlled, and used for profit.
What is the significance of the native carvings found on the farm?
They represent the Maori heritage and history erased by colonial settlers.
How does the narrator feel about the land compared to his father?
He has a deeper appreciation for its history and beauty, unlike his father, who sees it only as property.
What does the bulldozing of the trees represent?
The destruction of indigenous culture and the prioritization of European farming over Maori traditions.
How does the father justify his actions?
He believes he has the right to alter the land because he legally owns it.
What does the story suggest about colonial attitudes?
It criticizes the disregard for indigenous history and the entitlement of settlers.
What does the brother’s reaction to the carvings suggest?
That younger generations may have more respect for indigenous heritage.
How does Shadbolt use contrast in The People Before?
He contrasts the Maori’s deep connection to the land with the settlers’ desire to control it.
What does the story reveal about generational differences in attitudes toward history?
Older settlers see land as an asset, while younger people may recognize its cultural significance.
What does the river symbolize in The People Before?
It represents continuity, history, and the natural world unaffected by human ownership.
How does the story portray the effects of colonialism?
Through the erasure of indigenous presence and the transformation of the land for farming.
Why does the narrator reflect on his childhood in the story?
To show how his understanding of the land and its history has changed over time.
What literary techniques does Shadbolt use in The People Before?
Imagery, contrast, symbolism, and first-person narration.
What is the tone of the story?
Reflective and somewhat melancholic, as the narrator looks back on lost heritage.
