This father/daughter relationship unusual?

Even today there are plenty of people that expect women to be servile to men. It's a wrong attitude, but it's still out there. And this takes place in 1889. But, don't forget, he's crippled. His right arm doesn't work, and dressing himself would not be easy without her help. She also has to fetch the water, since he wouldn't be able to do it with one arm, as well as pitch in with a lot of chores she might not necessarily have to do were he more able. He's very dependent on her, and without her, he'd be pretty hard up. She's also his daughter, so I'm sure she feels familial loyalty to him, and might not view helping him as some horrible task. As for his attitude, with him grumbling and occasionally yelling at her, he's probably very frustrated that he can't do these kinds of things on his own anymore, and perhaps feels a little less like a man, and misplaces these feelings on a convenient target, though deep down he probably knows it's wrong and how much he owes her. Add to that the fact they are farmers on what looks like a less than productive farm (though that may just be because it looks to be late Fall or early Winter), and that's a hard life they live. Not exactly a whole bunch that adds up to joy in their lives.

So I would say there is something of expectations of the day of how women should be, but there's more to it than that.

try turning a sock inside out with one hand

I'm not saying this was done in the movie, but it may give you an idea what life can be like with only one arm


I'm proud to say my poetry is only understood by that minority which is aware.

It has nothing to do with female servility and everything to do with the fact he's only got one working arm and cannot dress/undress himself.


"My name is Paikea Apirana, and I come from a long line of chiefs stretching all the way back to the Whale Rider."