What is the theme in 'The People Before'?

Answer 1

There are three themes:

• Ownership
  • Territory is something very important in this story. The father owns the land and it is his territory. So he gets concerned when the Maoris come to see it, even though he badly wants to get rid of the land. He does not feel allegiance to the land, he just likes to know that it is his
• Ignorance of cultures/ Clash of Two Worlds
  • The Maoris and the Jim's family are from two different backgrounds, have different cultures, beliefs, morals, etc. The one thing that brings the two together is the land. But even then, their feelings toward the land are different. The Maoris come for the land for sentimental reasons. Jim's family is there due to the father feeling the land belongs to him and he has created it into something worthwhile
• Evaluation of change in generations
  • Jim holds sentimental value to the land he is on, while his father is there for economical reasons

Answer 2

The theme of "The People Before" revolves around the idea of cultural arrogance and disrespect for indigenous ways of life. It explores the consequences of disregarding the knowledge and traditions of those who came before, and the importance of understanding and honoring their legacy.