Forums

Through this course we have gotten the opportunity to read and analyze Thomas King's novel, Green Grass, Running Water, which contains water imagery throughout. King's notion of water imagery could serve as a critique of European American dominance over Native Americans. King focuses on revising biblical stories in an attempt to erase the dominating discourse of these narratives. Over two decades later, Disney releases Moana, set in Ancient Polynesia, and as I watched this film I could not help but draw so many connections between King's novel and this new movie. King's novel opens with a retelling of the genesis story. Similarly, Moana opens with a genesis story stating, "In the beginning, there was only ocean...". From the opening lines it is evident that the movie, much like King's novel, has set out to critique Catholic/Euro American dominance. Throughout the movie, I viewed the protagonist, Moana, as a representation of Native American beliefs (she emphasizes the importance of nature and community), while the character of Maui can be seen as a representation of European American beliefs (he emphasizes power, individuality, and ownership of nature). Ultimately, Moana teaches Maui Native American values, that they must work together in order to complete the adventure. If you have not had the pleasure of watching this movie, I highly recommend it. Furthermore, I'll warn you that you will not be able to ignore the similarities between King's novel and Moana.

Here is a link to Moana's IMDB page:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3521164/

I completely agree with everything that both Sasha and Rachel have had to say about Moana to this point. For me personally, the thing that struck me the most about the movie was Moana's relationship with nature and how that connected to Green Grass, Running Water. One of the common themes in the novel was that nature was supposed to be appreciated and the people were meant to live in harmony with it, understanding it. Moana's father and the chief leader is fearful of the outside world because of a previous bad experience, and his hesitation to travel outside the island he knows is also part of the village he commands. Moana by comparison has no such fear, and understands there is more to be found out in the world. The world comes alive more than ever before during her adventure, as the ocean becomes a character, and Te Fiti, the Polynesian version of mother nature, takes a physical form in the movie. I felt that both the book and the movie had aspects of teaching readers and viewers not to interfere with nature - in the book the interference was the dam and in the movie the interference was Maui stealing the heart of Te Fiti. Moana's relationship with nature and the ability to recognize the monster Te Ka was actually Te Fiti allows her to restore the heart and rejuvenate the earth once more. Moana's understanding and relationship with nature is what gives her the ability to save the world and her people. The overall message shows that harmony with nature is of vast importance, a feeling that the native americans have always respected and more westerners also need to respect.

That is such a great observation, Sasha! Themes across Native American literature are definitely starting to bleed into popular culture. And now that you mention it, I’m surprised that I didn’t pick up on the parallels between Disney’s “Moana” and Thomas King’s “Green Grass, Running Water” sooner!

“Moana” received a lot of hype upon its release. Through the portrayal of a strong, independent and resourceful female character (without a love interest), Disney created the first bona fide Indigenous princess. She is the perfect representation for Native American beliefs, while Maui is a symbolical embodiment of European American culture. It is not until Moana shares her cultural practices and traditions with him that they are able to successfully complete their adventure.

I would also argue that Moana’s grandmother serves as a trickster archetype, as she undermines authority and the structural confines of her village. She marches to the beat of her own drum but does so in a somewhat sneaky manner.

The symbolic importance of water is evident in both works, but the interconnection between man and the natural world was what captivated me. Characters seem to have genuine relationships with the landscapes that surround them. Like King's "Green Grass, Running Water", it is also enforced in Disney's "Moana" that environments are not to be tampered with.