Hi i was just wondering if anyone could give me some feedback about this short story essay.
Describe an interesting incident in each text of the text.
Explain why each was interesting.
In the text the Yellow brick road and Big Brother Little Sister both by Witi Ihimaera an important
incident in each of the text was when each of the main characters faced conflict. These incidents’ were
interesting as it enabled the understanding of the social background at that time, furthermore the
incidents’ caused misperception by each of the characters.
In each of the texts, each of the main characters faced a conflict through a particular incident. In the
Yellow Brick road Matiu and his family faced the racist comments by the driver ‘You bloody horis are
all the same’. In Big Brother Little Sister, Hema faced abuse by Uncle Pera’s ‘Lesson’ in which Hema
was beaten ‘to teach him a lesson’ in response to his outburst.
These incidents were interesting because they allowed the readers to understand the social setting of
that time. In the Yellow brick road Matiu’s conflict allowed an understanding of the ethnic prejudice of
that time. The setting was historically set in the late 70’s and 80’s where there was a influx of
migrations from people, especially maori living in rural areas to urban areas, where they hoped to find
work. The racist comments by the driver highlighted the pakeha perception at that time of dominance
over their supposedly inferior maori counterparts. In contrast in Big Brother Little sister, Hema’s
conflict depicted the setting when the migration and been complete. The abuse exerted upon him
depicted the setting when the migration had been complete, however instead of a fulfillment of the
wealth and stability; the migrants became caught up into a cycle of violence. The incident of abuse was
simply a part of this cycle.
Another reason why the incidents were interesting was because they caused the characters to naively
seek refuge in their hopes. For Matiu this hope was that once his family reached the ‘Emerald City’ of
Wellington ‘everything would be alright’. This hope made him blindingly unaware that his dreams were
in many ways, unfounded and unaware of the consequences of the migration. Likewise with Hema, his
hope was to reach Gisbourne where he believed his Nana George would ‘take care of him’. His naïve
hope failed to take into account the brick-wall which stood in his way which would ultimately lead to
the failure of his dreams.
The understanding of the social background and the naïve misperceptions by the young characters
introduced the interesting and relevant theme that everything did not always turn out the way you hoped
it would be. Though the separate short stories were written at a different time, they were linked to each
other as each text underlined the adjustment of maori to pakeha culture. Clearly, the Yellow Brick road
was the symbolism of maori migration into pakeha society. Likewise Big Brother Little Sister can be
realized as the direct result of this migration in which the migration had not led to the stability and
wealth they had sought but instead, being caught up in a cycle of violence. Furthermore the naïve
misconceptions in both texts led to their hopes becoming unrealized. This allowed the readers to
understand a universal idea implied by Ihimaera that your hopes were not always going to be fulfilled,
and that things did not always turn out the way you planned.
Thus the incidents in each text, by allowing the understanding of the social setting and leading to naive
misconceptions by each characters collectively introduced the interesting theme that in life things did
not always turn out the way you hoped it would turn out. Therefore in conclusion defining an
interesting impression not only of importance in the text’s, but moreover relevant in real life.
Topic:
1.4
Short
Text
Yellow
brick
road/
Bi
eminiscence,
You have an interesting structure that combines each story, keep an eye on discussing each one equally. The question asks for interesting incident you seem to discuss an interesting concept which
has become your explanation. Just a couple more sentences on describing an incident would be good.
Watch the second to last paragraph, this repeats all your main points, but has some development at the end. Perhaps try reorganising it so you have one story at a time, so you can work out if you
have really answered the question to the best of your ability. I am suggusting this as a self-check.
Remember to explain things like 'brick-wall' and that you are discussing some pretty sensitive themes so remember your essay should reflect this.
Good work - you are doing great
Anonymous9mo
The message of the story is...
That not everything is as good as they seem. Also prejudice against people different than
yourself is bad and people should be respected no matter what race or gender they are.
Fortnite
Anonymous9mo
Fortnite
3 comments
Anonymous 9mo
is trash
Anonymous 9mo
no u
Anonymous 7mo
your trash
The Theme of the story is that things aren't always as they seem.
Anonymous9mo
The Theme of the story is that things aren't always as they seem.
For example, the family of Maori people are judged based off of their heritage and lifestyle,
without any attempt to really understand them. However, the reader has been given nothing
but constant evidence that they aren't just some dumb Maori's as the pakeha wish for you to
believe.
On the flip-side of this, the young boy Matiu realises in the final paragraphs of the story that
perhaps Wellington isn't as glorious as he initially thought. All he can do now is hope that
things turn out for the better.
1 comment
Anonymous9mo 1 comment
things don't always turn
Anonymous10mo things don't always turn out the way they are planned too, and racism it
not good and it is not fair to get judged on where you come from or what colour your skin is.
In the end of the st
Anonymous2yr
In the end of the story when he says " and always as they assed he faces would be looking
back ad starring at us. I felt puzzled. Why don't they stop, dad? He had shrugged his
shoulders. Where in. Different country now, son." "Staring at us" this really stands out
because their understand to how people ack in Wellington is different to how people are in
Waitituhi
The story talks abou
Anonymous2yr
The story talks about how change can be frightening, and how raise
Prejudice
Anonymous2yr
Prejudice
1 comment
Anonymous 2yr
Pre judged
I think the message
Anonymous2yr
I think the message in the story is that waithui is better than wellington
Message
Anonymous2yr
Message
The message if the story is not to be rasict, not judge people that you just met, and things
won't always turn out the way you want it to be.
Message
Anonymous2yr
Message
Racism is something that I should actually happening and people should be aware about it.
Everyone is different and unique in their own way.
The story talks abou
Anonymous2yr
The story talks about how change can be frightening and that racism is a problem that alot of
people experience in our world
I think the message
Anonymous2yr
I think the message in the story is to stop racism
I think the message in the story is not to be rasict
Anonymous2yr
I think the message in the story is not to be rasict
I think the purpose
Anonymous2yr
I think the purpose of the story is that we shouldn't judge people when we don't know them
Yellow brick road
Anonymous2yr
Yellow brick road
Witi Ihimaera is
Th
Anonymous2yr
Th
I think the message
Anonymous2yr
I think the message in the story is that people shouldn't be rasist
I think the message in the story is that people get judged for there skin colour
as they could be a really nice person. "You Maoris are all the same. Dumb
bloody horis". This shows us that the Pakehas are being rude and aren't
respecting the Maoris.
Anonymous2yr
I think the message in the story is that people get judged for there skin colour as they could be a really nice person. "You Maoris are all the same. Dumb
bloody horis". This shows us that the Pakehas are being rude and aren't respecting the Maoris.
The yellow brick road
Anonymous2yr
The yellow brick road
Witi Ihimaera is trying to show how change can somtimes be frightening. The story also talks
Message
Anonymous2yr
Message
To realise that everyone is different and your journey won't be how you want it to be .
The message in the story
Anonymous2yr
The message in the story
I think the message in the story is that racism is a common part in peoples life espicaily if
they have a diffrerent coloured skin then someone else.
I think the message of the story is there is no place like home and you should
not judge people based on what there skin colour is or what they look like.
Anonymous2yr
I think the message of the story is there is no place like home and you should not judge people based on what there skin colour is or what they look like.
1 comment
Anonymous 2yr
A quote to support that this story is about racism is when a Pakea says " you Mouri are all the
same bloody dumb horis. ".
Message/theme
Anonymous2yr
Message/theme
I think the message in the story is that things don't always turn out the way they are planned
too, and racism it not good and it is not fair to get judged on where you come from or what
colour your skin is.
1 comment
Anonymous 2yr
Great!!
Think that the messa
Anonymous2yr
Think that the message is that alot of people go through change and you need to think about
the position that some people are in
People should not be racist to any culture
The message in the story is
Anonymous2yr
The message in the story is
People judge you by
Anonymous2yr
People judge you by the colour of your skin
I think that the message in the story is.....
Anonymous2yr
I think that the message in the story is.....
That people are always see other people differently, and not always in the nicest way. For
example, the pakehas see this new Maori family coming in and think that they shouldn't be
coming into Wellington because they don't know what Wellington is like 'you Maoris are all
the same. Dumb bloody horis.' I quote this from the story from one of the pakehas the family
has an interaction with. They shouldn't be treating people just because of where they come
from, or what they look like, and this is what I think the author is trying to express through
the short story.
Yellow brick road
Anonymous2yr
Yellow brick road
I think the message in the story is That everything is not going to be perfect and it is not
going to be always your way.
" Where almost there!
Almost at Wellington,
The emerald city!"
The message in the s
Anonymous2yr
The message in the story is people with different skin colours or a different culture get treated
differently for what they have or what they act like. Which other cultures or other type of skin
can be racsist. So the message is trying to stop people from being racist and except others no
matter what they look like or what they have, and to show that racsisim does exsist.
Message
Anonymous2yr
Message
the purpose of the story is that other cultures get treated differently and we should all be
treated the same.
The yellow brick road
Anonymous2yr
The yellow brick road
Witi Ihamaera is
Message/theme
Anonymous2yr
Message/theme
Witi Ihimaera wants the readers to get the message that there is still quite a bit of raisism
towards Maori people. He wants us to understand how a Maori family must feel with a big
change like moving to Wellington how their feelings have changed and they must feel with
being judged.
Message
Anonymous2yr
Message
I think the message is that there is no place like home. You might experience racism in other
places but you will always be welcomed at home.
1 comment
Anonymous 2yr
There is a place named home
Message
Anonymous2yr
Message
I think the message is to stop racism and accept others and it doesn't matter where they come
from. Everyone is equal, if your from Wellington or waituhu.
2 comments
hhuddleston 2yr
This is a fantastic summary of the purpose!
Anonymous 9mo
*you're
The message of the s
Anonymous2yr
The message of the story
Yooooo
Anonymous2yr
Yooooo
Message in story
Anonymous2yr
Message in story
Is that different cultures were judged differently
Quote
Yellow brick road
Anonymous2yr
Yellow brick road
Message In The Story.
Anonymous2yr
Message In The Story.
I think that the Author wants us to realise that not everything will turn out the way you want
it too, and there are a lot of people out there who are racist and don't like people who aren't
like themselves.
The message of the story is to not judge people by who they are
Anonymous2yr
The message of the story is to not judge people by who they are
Hay
Anonymous2yr
Hay
I think the message of the story is
Anonymous2yr
I think the message of the story is
1 comment
Anonymous 2yr
Hello
He is being seen dif
Anonymous2yr
He is being seen differently because he is a Maori
H
Anonymous2yr
H
4 comments
Anonymous 2yr
helloooo
Anonymous 2yr
He is annoyed because he is treated differently because moari
Anonymous 2yr
His emotions change during journy
Anonymous 2yr
The author is trying to tell us that rasicm does happen and we need to do something about it.
DESCRIPTION:
The paper includes a summary of the story, along with a textual analysis of the story, which tells the tale of a family of Maoris from New Zealand, leaving behind their homeland to make a new life in the
city of Wellington. It explains that the Maoris are a tribe of natives who live predominately in New Zealand. They have been successful in maintaining their cultural identity apart from the white inhabitants of
the island, but as this story shows, they face the same prejudices and poverty that most native inhabitants of a country face. The writer shows how "Yellow Brick Road" illustrates this prejudice, showing
the elders as tired and a little afraid, while the narrator is full of hope for the future as they set off for their new life in Wellington.
FROM THE PAPER:
""Yellow Brick Road" is the story of a Maori family headed to the city of Wellington to make their fortune. The story is told in the voice of the young narrator, a boy enthralled with the story "The Wizard of
Oz," who sees their trip as an adventure along a Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City, where all things wonderful will happen for the family. This short story opens up the world of the Maori of New
Zealand a native tribe displaced by the white settlers of centuries past, who have managed to hang on to their vivid culture and beliefs while their native lands are swallowed up by the white man. As with
most native cultures, they are seen as less than human by many of the whites. As the white man on the road says to the family, "Oh, what's the use. You Maoris are all the same. Dumb bloody horis"
(Ihimaera). Ihimaera uses this one crucial scene to illustrate the hatred and mistrust the whites have for the Maori, and the family's reaction to the hatred and prejudice. The only one in the family who does
not understand is the young narrator, who has yet to experience hatred and prejudice, and does not understand the man's comments. The implication is that later, as the boy grows older in Wellington, he
will most certainly understand, and his dreams of the Emerald City will shatter."
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HOME
ESSAYS
THEMES ON "YELLOW BRICK...
Themes on "Yellow Brick Road"Shor Story.
Topics: Fiction, New Zealand, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Pages: 2 (500 words) Published: June 3, 2013
SETTING IN TIME AND PLACE
The short story "Yellow Brick Road" is set in a car, on State Highway 2, between Hastings and Wellington. It briefly mentions
home, Waituhi, and Uncle Sam's house. Wellington is their goal. These points are unimportant.
What is important is travelling from security, warmth and familiarity to vast, unfamiliar and the alien big city. The time setting is a
no man's land, caught between an old life and a new life. The car is their only home and their possessions are their only
security. This is why Matiu's book is so important to him. It is a link between the past and his hope for the future.
1. Describe the settings mentioned, including the car.
2. How much time is covered in the story, ie. how long does it take them to get from Waituhi to Wellington? 3. Does the journey
take place by day, or night, or both? Why is it important to the events which occur on the way?
THEME
1.What do you think the Themes of Yellow Brick Road are?
2.What does the car show?
3.Has New Zealand changed from the New Zealand portrayed in the story? Is racism still an issue in New Zealand today?
METHOD OF NARRATION / VIEWPOINT
• Yellow Brick Road is written in First Person with Matiu as the narrator. He is approximately Intermediate School age (Year 7
and 8). What he says and how he says it tells us he's a child. • He does not understand what is happening but we are able to
interpret from what he says things that were beyond his understanding. • Story is told on two levels - what Matiu understands
and what is actually happening eg. Lollies - Matiu doesn't understand he wasn't robbed but that monetry value isn't the same as
is life away from Waituhi • It is a slice of life story
• Matiu often says things of more meaning than he realises
1. Explain the two points of view when Father does not answer Matiu's question about the Pakeha's liking them. 2. Matiu thinks
Wellington will be better than the journey....
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