A Critical Literacy Engagement with The Whale Rider

transcript Verlag eBooks 2026 Book chapter Open access

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Authors: Susan Sandretto
DOI: 10.1515/9783839433409-016
Cited by: 0

Abstract

In this brief contribution, I present what I mean by critical literacy and why I think it is important.I argue that in the novel "The Whale Rider" (1987), Witi Ihimaera has gifted us with a (re)constructed text that can be viewed as an outcome of his critical literacy readings of the pūrākau 1 [story] of Paikea.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Themes in Literature Analysis Literacy Media and Education Indigenous and Place-Based Education

Publication details

Journal / source
transcript Verlag eBooks
Pages
201–208
Publication date
9 January 2026
Document type
Book chapter