LEVEL 1 ENGLISH WIDE READING LOG #1

Text Title: “Big Brother, Little Sister”

Author:  Witi Ihimaiere

Text  Type:  Short Story

Data read:  26/2/2020

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Brief plot overview 

The text ‘Big brother, Little sister’ is a short story by Witi Ihimaiere. The story follows two siblings who are influenced by the environment at home to run away. They are exposed to domestic violence and the selfishness of their mother, which was the cause to them wanting to and acting on running away. 

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Characters you found interesting and why

A character that I found interesting  in ‘Big Brother, Little Sister’ was Hema. This is because he was still compassionate towards his mother, even though she treated him terribly. I found this interesting as it shows that Hema is very mature for his age, which creates a strength in Hema that is sophisticated. Also how it shows that Hema understands what his mother is going through and is empathetic with Janey because she’s too young to understand what’s happening. This is shown when the mother repeats “look after your sister Hema”, with this Hema respects her and takes good care of Janey, which shows he is a mature older brother. Hema, I found interesting also because he was brave, strong and mature throughout the text. I feel connected to Hema as I have a younger sister who, even though our mum is the complete opposite to the mother described in the text, we get on really well and I feel protective over her.  It also shows throughout the text that Hema and Janey become closer together, as it is shown in this line “Mum had changed, withdrawing herself from Hema and Janey, and they grew closer to each other.” Also “Those were the moments, when their mother’s motives were so transparent, that the children grew especially close because they were almost outcasts together.” People tend to do this as a result of being both neglected and it shows with Hema and Janey. I believe Ihimaiera was successful with portraying Hema as an interesting character because he still stayed strong and caring even though he was neglected by his mother.  

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Messages you took from the text(s) and why 

The message I took from the text was how the author, Witi Ihimaiere, was trying to convey through the text that other peoples living situations can be different to your own and that not every family is the same. And also that you can’t assume that someone’s family situation is the same as your own. As Hema and Janey faced scary and awful family situations in this short story. Every family is different but what Hema and Janey were going through is actually sadly common in New Zealand’s society today. There is a great deal of parents who neglect their children because of reasons like drinking and partying. For example “Whenever Uncle Pera brought his mates to the house for a party, the children would clear up the debris when it had finished. They would sweep the floor, wash the glasses, stack all the flagons neatly in the kitchen and set the chairs in their places again. Sometimes, they would find their mother flaked out on a chair, her face haggard with beer.” The children also had to suffer through violence and abuse, “Uncle Pera had grabbed him and pulled him along the corridor to his room. He’d shut the door, grabbed a belt.” I don’t understand how parents or adults could violently harm or cause pain purposely to a child, it is an act of hideousness and there are many other non-violent ways to teach a child a lesson if they have done something wrong. As I don’t personally experience this situation that Hema and Janey do, I can’t relate to them because my family is the complete opposite. So with this Ihimaiere was creating awareness about harsh living situations that children of all ages suffer from, including domestic violence and neglect. I believe that Ihimairere was successful at getting this message across to the readers because it makes it more clear that this happens in our own society. So his message makes us more aware. This text has enabled understanding to others because it has made me aware about living situations and family situations other people may have that I do not. 

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Challenges that characters had to deal with and your response to these 

During the text, Hema and Janey were faced with an accumulation of challenges which majorly connected from the neglect of their mother. Their Mother is a selfish woman, who thinks she always needs a man to satisfy her. This affects her children in many ways including they have to self manage, Hema having to look after Janey as it is shown in these lines, “we’re having a party tonight, Hema. Look after your sister. Uncle Pera and I want to watch TV. Look after your sister. We want to be by ourselves. Look after your sister.” So because of all this neglect and selfishness it was the cause for them to run away. Throughout the text it also showed how their mother always had to have a man in her life, she was never satisfied without. “If she had been a stronger woman, she would have been able to make Uncle Pera understand that her children also meant much to her. But she was not a strong woman, nor was she independent. Her life began to revolve more around this new man, circling away from Hema and Janey. Uncle Pera seemed not to remember that this woman had children; he would tell her to come out with him and she would go.” This became a huge challenge to Hema and Janey to face as their mother wasn’t strong enough to refuse this man, so it was her children that had to suffer with the consequences of her actions. These challenges are widely known in New Zealand’s society today and many different children of families have to suffer with neglect and selfishness from parents. And could also feel like running away, and evidence shows that some do. I felt for Hema and Janey because to be going through what they are and at their ages is horrible, if I were to go through what they are experiencing I would be very unhappy. 

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Discussion about the title of the text(s) and why it was appropriate 

My response to the title of the text was that I could infer that it would be about siblings’ relationship because this title is “Big Brother, Little Sister”. Which it was but also about the struggles of not having loving neglectful parents, and the shocking events of domestic violence. The title also came across as it was going to be a short story about the connection and relationship between two siblings. Which after reading the text it did convey but also more about the developing relationship between Hema and Janey. Because they had each other to deal with the neglect and selfishness of their parents, there bond they shared became stronger so for example; Hema took Janey with him when he run away, they shared the same bedroom and “Hema’s friends became Janey’s friends too, for she was always following him round.” The title of this text is definitely appropriate and if I were to change it I wouldn’t, it fits with the text as it refers to the siblings. And also because the brother and sister are the main characters in the story.  I believe that Ihimairere was successful at allocating this title, it’s appropriate for the meaning and story line of the text. 

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Who would you recommend this/these stories to and why

If I were to recommend this story “Big Brother, Little Sister”, it would be to students. This is because they need to be aware that some students around them might go through tough situations at home and have difficult relationships with their parents. Also that if a student were to be going through what Hema and Janey experience, others would support them and be there if they need. Also not to judge. I would tell students about the text, how it is very confronting and shocking but that you definitely need to hear about how others live so you can reflect on it and become a more understanding person. I would also recommend parents to read this story, this is because I feel like all parents need to be aware of what happens in other families homes like domestic violence and neglect, then to reflect on how they are personally treating their children. And if they feel a similarity to the text, to think about and take action on what needs to be done to change that connection. I feel for anyone in society who goes through what Hema and Janey went through in the text, and would personally try to help them.

By Isla Henderson