"The chosen one"
This is... out of topic, but I found Paikea (Keisha Castle Hughes) in Game of Thrones :D
Something about the movie fascinated me, and once I searched more about Maori people after I went back, it became clear that I was attracted to their cultural symbols such as the carvings, tattoos and even handicrafts. The aesthetics were amazing, and radiated a calming aura so I often feel soothing whenever I look at them. Their tattoos, for instance, are complex, sacred, and represent different social status. Below are some extra readings for those who are interested to know more:
Carvings:
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/whakairo-maori-carving
Tattoos:
http://www.zealandtattoo.co.nz/tattoo-styles/maori-tattoos/
As what was discussed in class, the film portrayed quite a few instances of cognitive dissonance, commonly applied to when an individual's attitudes and behaviors contradict each other (Ciccarelli & White). The most apparent portrayal of this dissonance is shown between Koro and Paikea, in which Koro despised her in the beginning of the movie because she survived instead of her twin brother, who was supposed to lead their tribe once he grow up. However, we see glimpses of Koro's love as the movie progress, from the way he fetches Paikea to and from school, to how he showed dismay when she was leaving with her father. Despite his love, he also realized that it is his duty to uphold his tribe's tradition (no women allowed as chief) and to regain its time of glory, thus he condemned Paikea for the tribe's misfortune and was enraged when he found out she was learning taiaha. It is very obvious that Koro's love and his hurtful behavior towards Paikea contradicts each other, but due to his responsibilities as chief, he may be able to rationalize his behavior as an attempt to protect his people, thus reducing the dissonance and enabling him to further dismiss his grandaughter's feelings right until the end of the movie.
The next character who showed cognitive dissonance is Paikea's father, who still cares about his tribe but display an overwhelming urge to escape from the village. Even though he loves his family, he does not wish to be tied down by their old traditions and stay in that little village for the rest of his life. He told Koro he had been to numerous countries doing exhibitions and running his gallery, indirectly informing the audience about his love for freedom and artistry. Similarly, Paikea herself also has a love-hate relationship with her grandfather as she repeatedly defies his orders and learned the skills of a chief in secret, even though she respects him very much as a person and yearns for his affection.
Koro's inconsistent attitude towards Paikea may have contributed to her problematic attachment style, as seen in several instances where she craves his attention even after being given the cold shoulder. Psychalive (2016) mentioned children with caregivers who provide inconsistent parenting styles may very likely develop an ambivalent/ anxious attachment styles, in which they are confused, insecure, but clingy and desperate at the same time. In Bowlby's phases of attachment as well as the mechanism of internal working model of attachment (Pietromonaco & Barrett, 2000) might be able to explain why Paikea feel a certain need of affirmation from her grandfather. This is because phase four of attachment shows children reflecting others' feelings to form their own actions (Santrock, 2008). It is very likely that Paikea did not have a secure and consistent attachment pattern with Koro, as well as having the impression that he did not like her at all, thus contributing to the mental representation that explains the deteriorating relationship as mainly her fault for being a girl. So, Paikea tries desperately to prove to herself as well as to Koro that she, too, can accomplish something only the boys are supposed to do (aside from the fact that she hears whales calling her and for being the chosen one).
Speaking of which, it made me a little sad seeing how the patriarchal community Paikea lived in caused her to be the center of (unreasonable) blame and a victim of dysfunctional love. She grew up without a mother, and her father spends more time travelling than taking care of her. Adding to that, her grandfather hates her for being who she is. There are multiple instances in the movie where Paikea engaged in self-blaming, saying everything will be fine if she had not been born a girl. To be honest, this blatant gender discrimination had me on my nerves for quite a while as it is something I find especially hard to tolerate. While I understand the circumstances and pressure from his community as well as his own sense of responsibility did not allow Koro to break tradition so easily, telling myself that did not make my dissatisfaction ease any less. This unease stayed with me all the way until the end, even though the lively sight of their tribe members coming together is very heart-warming, I could not help but think about the incident(s) that made Koro change his mind. Did it really have to end up with Paikea risking her life for him to realize the truth that was presented in front of him all along? He was true, everything was a sign, a sign that led up to the whales being sent to them so the true leader of their tribe will reveal herself because he was too stubborn to admit it.
I am sorry this blog entry has been quite an emotional one, as I truly feel for Paikea being a victim of gender discrimination. It really breaks my heart every time I see her tear up but did not dare to defend herself against her grandfather who was far more stronger and powerful, as well as the (unfair) rules of their community which has been their psychological support and belief for decades.
References:
Ciccarelli, S. K., & White, J. N. (2015). Psychology (4th ed.). England: Pearson Education Limited.
Pietromonaco, P. R., & Barrett, L. F. (2000). The internal working models concept: What do we really know about the self in relation to others? Review of General Psychology, 4(2), 155-175. doi: 10.1037111089-2680.4.2.155
Psychalive. (2016). Understanding insecure attachment - part 1: Ambivalent/ Anxious attachment. Retrieved from http://www.psychalive.org/understanding-ambivalent-anxious-attachment/
Santrock, J.W. (2008). Life Span Development (14th ed). NY: Mc-Graw Hill
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