The Pohutukawa Tree

by Bruce Mason

The pohutukawa tree

Genres: Plays, Classics

97 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Jessica Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot to think about in this play. The characters are interesting, if not well-rounded. The play documents the death throes of Te Parenga, "the site of the greatest Māori victory over the pākehā" (p.23) before it becomes, spoiler alert, a housing estate. There are some great themes to chew on, like pride vs dignity and some great lines that could be analysed in an NCEA essay, e.g. "For a dispossessed race, they're wonderfully cheerful" (p.87).

I happen to be also reading Geraldine Brooks - Horse, and the same bible verse is used in both texts to comfort the characters into accepting their lot. "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt and where thieves break through and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven" (p.54). The Brooks character is a slave in 1850s America. In both texts, the passage is used to minimise the pain the characters are feeling. "Don't feel bad because your rewards are in heaven", or maybe "stop complaining, your rewards are in heaven".

All in all, I am glad I read the play. As an NCEA text, I think it has legs. :)

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was super conflicting for me. I had to read through this play when I was in school, and it was one of my English teachers favourite books. At the time, I think I didn't appreciate it, but I read it now, I do.

The narrative is a little dated but is still a very relevant topic. It reminds me of The Last Of The Mohicans in many ways. I feel this is a much better story.

The themes of religious colonialism hit home. Must one be stripped of their cultural identity to become Christian? Honestly, it’s a question that’s been on my mains for a while.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decade after I first encountered Aroha, devout follower of the Great Whetumarama (but before that, staunch adherent to Jesus of the Picture Frame), Johnny on his mop-and-broom horse and Queenie whose new name does everything but give her a crown, what can I say but that the new/old/history retold/bold/ending/beginning hopes of our Maori and Pasifika people sail on? Dreams and secret ambitions, colonial legacies. Manifestations, good and shocking. The new world is neither safe nor impossible to live in.

[Emma Norgate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely little play focusing on the culture clash of relationships between Maori and white New Zealand. Touches on some poignant issues...a great play text to study for students!

[Tegan Jessop]

*read for my Drama course*

[PJ Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needs a cordelia

[Janice]

it is a very nice book!!