...Prompt 1 All stories have a beginning, a middle, and an end. Yann Martel’s Life of Pi is no different. However, some argue that the first part, which deals with Pi’s coming of age and homeland, could be disregarded entirely to make a stronger novel. In viewing the completed work, it is clear that every component, no matter how obscure or bizarre, is absolutely critical to the success of the novel. All elements of the writing, from Pi’s religion to his fascination with sloths, are vital, for they all work together to describe a larger story. At first, the explanation of Pi’s religion and the nature of animals appears to be repetitive and irrelevant. It is nothing more than supportive information, which seems only useful when Pi prays to both Jesus and Vishnu, or when he rattles off facts about female orangutans. As he wrestles with isolation, danger, and despair, he...
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...Like any good work of fiction, symbols play a key role in Yann Martell’s Life of Pi, the most important being Richard Parker. Richard parker, a four hundred and fifty pound Bengal tiger, is forced to share a life boat with the protagonist, Pi. While initially, his ferociousness scares Pi, after taming him, the two learn to coexist. At the end of the novel, when the two reach land, Richard Parker runs off into the jungle without a farewell. Through the way Pi speaks to the tiger and as the story develops, it becomes apparent that Martell intended Richard parker to symbolize Pi’s will to survive and his primal state. Although he is ferocious and fearsome, Richard Parker’s presence is what drives Pi’s will to live. Pi faces many issues on the...
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...knows an author. There is however, a very large difference between a writer, a true author of a literary work, and someone who ‘wrote a book.’ Anyone can write a book. A writer is a person who creates an interwoven web of imagination, creativity and skill with language. They create a work that flows together and paints a picture in your head. These days, so people writing books, true writers are hard to find, and subsequently, excellent literary works, are even harder to find. Life of Pi, by Yann Martel is an excellent literary work, written by an excellent writer. It is one of the most original works you are likely to find, with a storyline that keeps you guessing. It has many subthemes and addresses many topics in an academic and moral way that is unexpected, refreshing, and insightful. Martel uses setting, character development, and narrative point of view to lead his readers across the pacific in a compelling and attention-catching way which makes his novel a true masterpiece. When looking at Martel’s genius in terms of setting, it is important to look at it throughout the whole book, not just certain parts. The story starts in India, Pondicherry to be exact. Martel uses excellent descriptive language to describe to his readers, the zoo in which the main character, Piscine Molitor Patel grew up. Martel states, “You must imagine a hot and humid place, bathed in sunshine and bright colours. The riot of flowers...
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...assumption is that you will consider both the similarities and differences; in other words, you will compare and contrast. Make sure you know the basis for comparison The assignment sheet may say exactly what you need to compare, or it may ask you to come up with a basis for comparison yourself. • Provided by the question: The question may ask that you consider the gradual loss of morals by major characters in Yann Martel’s Life of Pi and George Orwell’s Animal Farm. The basis for comparison will be the loss of morals by central figures in each text. • Developed by you: The question may simply ask that you compare the two novels. If so, you will need to develop a basis for comparison, that is, a theme, concern, or device common to both works from which you can draw similarities and differences. Develop a list of similarities and differences Once you know your basis for comparison, think critically about the similarities and differences between the items you are comparing, and compile a list of them. For example, you might decide that in Life of Pi, Pi simultaneously experiences a gradual loss of morals as his chances of survival are put more and more at risk, whereas in Animal Farm, Napoleon always possessed questionable morals which become further corrupted as...
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...from the book of Life of Pi by Author Yann Martel to Life of Pi by Director Ang Lee. Delving into both works, it should be clear that books will always contain the most detail while the movie will have to compress, shorten, or change so the film can be viewed properly by the audience. As well in most cases, “white washing” or changing the film in some parts will lead the viewers to see a different development that the readers were given. Mainly speaking, the differences from book to film gives the significance of Pi’s growth a change of course. Targeting on Pi’s beginnings and lessons,...
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...accomplishes a feat beyond any other through religion and hope. In Yann Martel’s Life of Pi, Piscine “Pi” Molitar Patel manages to survive out in the Pacific Ocean for 227 days alongside a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. While both fight for their lives to keep from starving, Pi finds even greater difficulty in believing he would live. Formed by the necessity and struggle to survive, man must gain hope from his trust...
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...Tracy reflects on the meaning of life. It’s focused towards people that spend countless hours contemplating their reason to be on this Earth. Some people believe that they were created to perform a duty, task or have an effect on something in any way. It also talks about the ideas of where religious thoughts and ideas fit into one’s search for their life quest, if in fact it does at all. The article “Quest for Meaning is about the Journey, Not the Destination” was very useful and an interesting read towards my thesis topic. I made a connection with this piece because the writer went to Pi to hear a story that will make him believe in God and faith. It was interesting because when one is on a self-seeking journey as Pi was (and we all ultimately are) sometimes you find yourself dwelling if religion plays a part in your evaluation. The people that are drawn more towards the first story told by Pi are the ones that do. I also liked this article because I felt that Pi’s literal journey was also inevitably a psychological one like this article focuses on. Cole, Stewart. "Believing in Tigers: Anthropomorphism and Incredulity in Yann Martel’s Life of Pi." Studies in Canadian Literature / Études en littérature canadienne [Online], 29.2 (2004): n. pag. Web. 6 Nov. 2013 Believing in Tigers is a thoroughly abstract review on Life of Pi and giving you information on the first story told by Pi. The narrator (Pi) who has studied multiple religions implies a difference of the story’s...
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...The Algae Island which is made entirely out of seaweed is extremely strange, there are freshwater ponds and at night dead fish float to the surface but disappear in the morning. The strangeness of the island made Pi believe that it was a delusion “I was getting used to the mental delusion”(Martel 257). Pi describes the island too thoroughly and spends too much time for it to be a delusion. Richard Parker is one of the most important symbolisms in the story he represents God, he protects Pi from any danger that comes his way. Richard kills the hyena, the blind man who both intended to eat him and he doesn’t harm Pi even when there is nothing else to...
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...Seminar Template I. Introduction A. Lead: The "Monomyth" is a simplistic pattern for stories that has been used for many years worldwide. Yann Martel's Life of Pi is an excellent story about the life altering journey of a 16 year old boy Pi Patel. B. Thesis Statement (Includes Life of Pi and poem that you close read): C. Life of Pi is an exquisite example of a Monomyth. Pi's journey is sequenced into 3 sections. Each containing one of the elements of the Monomyth; the Call to Adventure, the Initiation, and the Return. D. Three Supporting Arguments (Your Blueprint) : 1. Pi's vast and scholarly ambience allows him to measure up as the hero of the story and welcome the Call to Adventure with supervision from Supernatural Aid. 2. Pi's dedication to his faith allows him to endure the stage of Initiation with his monotonous indemnification with his Spiritual Father. 3. Pi's adequacy to acclimate and welcome the position he is in allows him to embark on the Return stage while using the point of view of Freedom to Live (Living within the moment). II. Body 1st Idea E. Topic sentence: Your topic sentence will consist of your Thesis and supporting argument. You must write out the entire topic sentence as it would appear in your actual essay. : F. Life of Pi is an exquisite example of a Monomyth. Pi's journey is sequenced into 3 sections. Each containing one of the elements of the Monomyth; the Call to Adventure...
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...Thrive Throughout the book, Life of Pi, the main character Pi is placed in an extremely precarious situation which requires tremendous ingenuity, intuitiveness and responsive to higher guidance. This in turn, requires the growth of his person and faith. Pi undergoes a marked transformation in maturity, discernment and faith, all of which procure his survival. As time and situations continue to present themselves, it is in the becoming of Pi’s highest self which inevitability secures his existence. Pi undergoes a tremendous development and maturity of his character. Pi learns to fully accept and overcome his situation. The death of Pi’s family has a huge impact on how his character develops acceptance. “…It was not only the day that died and the poor zebra, but my family as well. With that second sunset, disbelief gave way to pain and grief. They were dead; I could no longer deny it”(Martel 160). Pi’s overwhelming grief leads him to a place of being striped of all external support. He must first accept how he will respond and grow through it. Without this situation thrust upon him, he would not have been forced or “gifted” with the opportunity to develop into full maturity as an individual separate from his family. Pi is placed in a horrific situation, which actually “gifts” him with the opportunity to grow in the midst of challenge, choose for himself who he will become and how he will respond, and subsequently experience transformation. Pi moves beyond his grief so that...
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...Orwell and Martel’s Messages Through Animals A tiger in a life raft and tyrannical pigs can give readers a very strong message about their lives. Animal Farm was written as a warning about governmental collapse and tyrants taking advantage of power. Through the story of the rise of evil pigs in the hierarchy of a new system of government in the farm, it portrays a clear message about tyrannical government. Life of Pi also tries to get the reader’s attention, though it tries to urge the reader into having faith in religion rather than warn them. With animals and numbers, the story of a boy stuck at sea guides the reader into understanding the power that religion can give to those who have faith. Both Animal Farm and Life of Pi use the beast...
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...Even though the act of surviving and living can share common factors, In Life of Pi, Pi tells a story of survival compared to Big Fish where Edward Bloom tells a story of life and is conveyed as two completely different lifestyles. Pi tells his story as he has to do anything to be alive, and overcoming many obstacles such as staying alive with all the animals on the raft with him and changing his beliefs, developing as a character mentally and physically, in order to survive. Edward Bloom tells his story as how he makes his life better by chasing the girl of his dreams just so he can be happy, Edward does not develop as character, he continues his beliefs of storytelling and maintains his emotions as a joyful and positive man. In many situations...
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...Hui-Fen Hsu The Heroic Pattern in Life of Pi 95 The Heroic Pattern in Life of Pi Hui-Fen Hsu Applied English Department National Taichung University of Science and Technology Lecturer Abstract This paper examines the universal structure of a mythological hero’s adventure in Life of Pi. The theory is based on Joseph Campbell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces, which illustrated and distilled heroic patterns from various cultures. The hero’s journey has three stages: separation, initiation, and return. Answering a call to adventure, the hero departs from his familiar world and ventures into a region of supernatural wonder. Miraculous forces are encountered there and a decisive victory is won. He then returns from this mysterious land, bringing an elixir to bene¿t his fellow men. Through this journey of trials, the hero transforms his former self and achieves spiritual growth. Such heroes range from monster slayers to spiritual leaders such as the Buddha and Christ. Life of Pi is a fantasy adventure novel about an Indian boy who survives a shipwreck by drifting on a lifeboat with a tiger. His adventure ¿ts Joseph Campbell’s hero archetype. Similar to the mythological hero, Pi departs from his familiar land of India, answering the call for adventure to a new country. Protected by the supernatural powers of Hinduism, Catholicism, and Islam, he penetrates the dangerous and mysterious realm of the Pacific Ocean. After experiencing harsh ordeals, he returns...
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...behavior in these crucial situations would flow from their desires and needs and their emotions and psychological state of mind. A concern is raised when we try to find a positive correlation between following one’s moral compass and the success of survival; which there is none. If one does not succumb to their survival instincts – that kick in to aid in an unfamiliar situation – you cannot survive. In Yann Martel’s Life of Pi, Pi Patel is faced with despairing hardship when the ship he has boarded sinks and he is led astray on a lifeboat with four wild animals along with him. Furthermore, Pi faces the issue of morality versus survival which is especially difficult for him because of his religious nature, the usage of Richard Parker as an emotional and psychological crutch to get through this chaotic circumstance and also, the constant fixation on food and the lack of it. Being lost at sea gives the story a perspective very different from the normal life of Pi Patel. Pi’s will to survive coordinates with his loss of spiritual purity – though those acts of survival are needed for Pi to thrive, in which societal norms of behavior are irrelevant when ones sole priority is to survive in a circumstance that is nearly impossible to overcome. Morality and survival do not go hand and hand in dire circumstances. In order to survive, you must lose your morality and do things to survive that are far from your usual behavior. In Pi’s case he was forced to eat feces and walk around naked...
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...Life of Pi Theme of Religion At times, Life of Pi reads like a defense of religion. Has science proved religion wrong? Here's a protagonist who believes passionately in both zoology and religion. What about the fact of multiple faiths? Don't these faiths contradict each other, cause wars, and other problems? Here's a protagonist who is Muslim, Christian, and Hindu – all at the same time. The book defends not only the common spirit behind these three religions, but the rituals and ceremonies of each. It's as if all three religions find harmonious common ground in this character. Seems unlikely, but then again, the protagonist argues passionately that the miraculous happens in our darkest moments. Quote #1But I don't insist. I don't mean to defend zoos. Close them all down if you want (and let us hope that what wildlife remains can survive in what is left of the natural world). I know zoos are no longer in people's good graces. Religion faces the same problem. Certain illusions about freedom plague them both. (1.4.14) | Do zoos incarcerate animals in confined spaces and make them miserable? Pi doesn't think so: "Certain illusions about freedom" tempt us to this conclusion. In actuality, an animal's life in the wild is more circumscribed than "a knight on a chessboard" (1.4.8). Predator-prey relationships restrict the animal's movement. A zoo enclosure is actually more like a hearth for an animal: a place of comfort and rest. Likewise, most people think of religion as a restrictive...
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