Moana Essay

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Imagine a life, lived harmoniously with nature. Here, in the midst of clear blue waters, the friendly villagers, and coconuts, you are at peace. The relaxing lull of the Polynesian islands clears your mind and refreshes your soul. In the animated film, Moana, this description fits the fictional island of Motunui, serving as the protagonist’s homeland and source of livelihood. The well-being of the world rests on fictional goddess Te Fiti, creator of life on the Polynesian islands. At the center of Te Fiti’s life, a power so strong and valuable, her heart. One day, however, all of Te Fiti’s allure was taken over by a darkness named Te Kā. Te Kā appears as a giant human volcanic monster who rises with dark, evil clouds surrounding her. She dominates …show more content…

Her intention is to kill, destroy, and make the whole world feel miserable. This especially after demi-god, Maui, stole the heart of Te Fiti. Therefore, when her single, most precious possession is stolen, Te Ka becomes the manifestation of this emptiness and unrequited love for her island people. This is supported by the annihilation of some of the islands; as Te Fiti gave life to them, Te Ka takes it away as she feels that her people did not deserve her sustenance. Because her life was stolen for her, she takes this time to be selfish and take the lives of her creations. In Montinui, the legend of Te Fiti is written off as some folk tale that the old crazy lady tells the children. Her feeling of disdain comes up every time Te Ka interacts with Maui; for example, she sabotages Maui’s fishhook and leaves him at a disadvantage because of his crime against her. It is not revealed until the very end of the movie, that Te Ka is actually the counterpart of the lost Te Fiti. A heartless version of her former self, Te Ka’s attacks appear as spite against every innocent human being on the Tahitian islands. However, when her more benevolent personality takes overs, it is implied that Te Ka’s main goal in life was to restore the heart. One motif of Moana is to discover who you are; in Te Ka/Te Fiti’s case, she is a goddess who gives and creates selflessly, usually without much …show more content…

Te Kā would do anything in her power to revive her former self. Through her journey without her heart, she managed to destroy the islands that she created with love. At the same time, Te Kā destroys herself and what she truly stands for: A goddess, with the purpose to spread life throughout islands. If only humanity knew the reason for why they are being punished, they wouldn’t harshly put the blame on their creator. However, it is difficult to see through someone so emotionless and malice in them. Te Kā can throw fireballs and scream through her skull-like face, but beneath the hard rock and lava of her outer appearance lays the clusters of blooming flowers, rich green grass, and the layers of land covering the whole feminine body of the beloved island goddess, Te Fiti. Knowing this, the audience can capture the humanity of Te Kā, and sympathize the emptiness she feels without the

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