As I continued to read after the shipwreck incident, I am horrified at what a child (Pi) has to endure. He is the witness to many gruesome realities that occur in nature. The whole incident of the hyena devouring the zebra is enough to take one's stomach away. After reading about the hyena eating Orange Juice I feel a stir of emotion come over me. It is an unpleasant feeling to think about a child being in such a situation. I then think about how amazing that Martel has created such a sad mood with his words. By choosing to use such vivid imagery in his words, we hurt for Pi. We are sad and upset at the vicious scenes that he has fallen victim to seeing.
Remember the lesson that Pi's father showed him and his brother Ravi? He showed them firsthand how dangerous animals were when he took them into a cage. I should have seen the beginning of a literary technique then. I believe that Martel inserted that scene in the book to foreshadow what is going on now. Without any help, Pi is having to find a way to defend against very dangerous animals close to him. He remembers that lesson and is scared for his life.
I have to say that because of where I am in reading this book, I will continue to read it. I find the writing of Martel to be very interesting. He creates the "movie scenes" in my head like we talked about in class. I believe this book was perfect for this assignment!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
What does the shipwreck mean?
In this next section, I want to discuss the ship wreck. As we have read, on the voyage to Canada the boat that Pi and his family is on wrecks. As far as we know, Pi is the only survivor. Through his struggle to survive, we see that Pi is a strong and determined young man. He refuses to let go of the oar that he hangs on in fear that he might die. I see this as being a strong symbol for the way that Yann Martel wants to display his character.
It is my opinion that the shipwreck is a metaphor. Before we read about the shipwreck we saw Pi go through troublesome times facing his religious views. He was teased by his brother and harrassed by his family because he was a follower of three different religions. I believe that the shipwreck is a strong comparison to where his life was when it happened. I see that no one is able to sympathize with Pi including his family and the three leaders of the religions that he followed. For a young boy, it would be tough to be going through such an identity crisis and feel that no one can understand your point of view. He was alone in his beliefs. Now that we have the shipwreck, Pi really is alone and he will have to rely on only himself to survive. I believe that the setting of the ocean also plays a key role in this whole situation. Pi is now independent and alone. For most of the story we see that Pi is wanting to go his own way and formulate his own ideas about his life. Being in the middle of the ocean and alone, Pi now has no regulations to where he can go. He is alone and has no other choice but to make his own decisions; wherever he goes he is now in charge of his own fate.
It is my opinion that the shipwreck is a metaphor. Before we read about the shipwreck we saw Pi go through troublesome times facing his religious views. He was teased by his brother and harrassed by his family because he was a follower of three different religions. I believe that the shipwreck is a strong comparison to where his life was when it happened. I see that no one is able to sympathize with Pi including his family and the three leaders of the religions that he followed. For a young boy, it would be tough to be going through such an identity crisis and feel that no one can understand your point of view. He was alone in his beliefs. Now that we have the shipwreck, Pi really is alone and he will have to rely on only himself to survive. I believe that the setting of the ocean also plays a key role in this whole situation. Pi is now independent and alone. For most of the story we see that Pi is wanting to go his own way and formulate his own ideas about his life. Being in the middle of the ocean and alone, Pi now has no regulations to where he can go. He is alone and has no other choice but to make his own decisions; wherever he goes he is now in charge of his own fate.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Religion in Life of Pi
As I have read further into Life of Pi, I have began to see that religion is one of the central themes of the book. This is the first time I have ever seen the three religions of Islam, Hinduism, and Christianity tied into one. Beginning in chapter 17, we see Pi talking about his personal interests in all of these religions. From his roots in Hindu, to his visiting a Christian church, and then his visit with a baker that excuses himself to pray in front of Pi we see how Pi is influenced by each religion. I notice that Pi is very interested in the rituals of these religions. He talks about all aspects of Hindu, as he should because that is his primary religion. He then speaks about how he came to meet Jesus Christ. He speaks about what he sees in a church on a holiday trip with his family. Finally he speaks about how he comes to pray as a Muslim because of a conversation with the baker.
Even though Pi focuses on the rituals of the religions, I also note that he is smart for his boyish age and realizes that there is more to religion than just their practices. He also speaks about followers of each religion. Personally, I feel that Pi is realizing that each religion is an essential key in the life of it's followers. He realizes that if religion was not the essential part of these people's life, then they would feel meaningless. Religion is something that makes these people feel complete and worth while.
What does everyone think about this suggestion that religion is one of the central themes of this book? Obviously it has significance because we see that Pi talks about it a lot. Do you think that religion is one of the reasons that Martel wrote this book?
Even though Pi focuses on the rituals of the religions, I also note that he is smart for his boyish age and realizes that there is more to religion than just their practices. He also speaks about followers of each religion. Personally, I feel that Pi is realizing that each religion is an essential key in the life of it's followers. He realizes that if religion was not the essential part of these people's life, then they would feel meaningless. Religion is something that makes these people feel complete and worth while.
What does everyone think about this suggestion that religion is one of the central themes of this book? Obviously it has significance because we see that Pi talks about it a lot. Do you think that religion is one of the reasons that Martel wrote this book?
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