The Significance of Boundaries

The Whale Rider, the assortment of poems, and Jane Jacobs’ story, though very different works, do share the theme of containing different types of borders and boundaries.
To start off, the Whale Rider was not only an emotional story, but it was also very realistic. It portrayed the discrimination which women faced in one society, and how there were certain boundaries that could not be crossed by the tribe members, particularly the women. It was also interesting to see the great emphasis placed on tradition by the Maori people, and Koro (the tribe leader), in particular.
Jane Jacobs’ story – “The Death and Life Great American Cities” is more about physical boundaries. More specifically – the physical boundaries within cities (New York) – such as railroad tracks, parks, schools / universities, museums and waterfronts. She discusses how the borders gradually create vacuums within the city which spread further and further into it, sucking the vitality out of the city. These perimeters become so desolated and useless, that something must be done to prevent the destruction of the city. The solution which the author presents is to convert these borders into “seams.”
Robert Frost’s “Mending Wall’ is also about physical boundaries – the fence built between two neighbors. He says that “good fences make good neighbors.” To me, this is saying that although it may seem as though walls and fences divide people (neighbors), they’re existence ultimately results in better friendships
Judith Ortiz Cofer’s poem “The Game” contains yet another spin on boundaries and limits. The young, disabled girl is prevented from leading a “normal” life. Her disease prevents her from going to school and participating in other childlike activities. She got beyond said boundaries by playing games such as family, which she could physically handle.
Finally, Komunyakaa’s “Slam, Dunk, & Hook” describes the skills possessed by successful basketball players, and their suave actions throughout the games. The game of basketball, and its participants also are restricted by its boundaries, which they cannot cross, and also physical boundaries - which prevent them from crossing their own limits.
Although different types of reading, with different main points and ideas, these works were all interesting, and did tie in the theme of having boundaries and the effects of them – physical or mental.