I find it interesting that Chapter 20 begins with Pi talking about Allah and Islam, and it ends with the Pi describing the Virgin Mary. In this chapter, Pi even mentions Hinduism. In this chapter, all three religions coexist, and I believe that this is the chapter where Pi discovers the true meaning of religion. Pi realizes that being religious simply means having a relationship with God. Calling Him Allah, God, or Brahman is insignificant as long as Pi can converse and more importantly connect with Him. Pi says, "I described Mr. Kumar's place as a hovel. Yet no mosque, church or temple ever felt so sacred to me" (62). Pi discovers that praying has little to do with big fancy buildings, sacred offerings, or ritual processions. Instead he learns at Mr. Kumar's house that the most important thing one can do to pray is simply take some time to just talk and think with God.
I agree with what you have said here, Matt. I do believe that Pi discovers the true meaning of religion: a relationship with God. On page 75, Santosh refers to Pi's name for Gandhi: "Bapu Gandhi," as well as his supposed name for Jesus: "Uncle Jesus." These names imply an informal affiliation with higher powers, and they suggest that Pi has indeed formed a religious relationship in which he can "take some time to just talk and think with God" (Matt Bode) because he recognizes God as a driving force in his life and a part of himself .
I believe that Martel included the two appearances of God in chapter 20 (the Virgin Mary and the sacred feeling of the floor of Mr Kumar's bakery) because they pertain to his two newly accepted religions and because they demonstrate Pi's equal faith in Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. Even though he was born Hindu, Pi has welcomed two more religions into his life, and his passion for God is not restricted to one religion over the other. He worships all gods equally, so he deserves to have an experience with the deities of each of the three religions. This is the “finest of rewards” in his mind (Martel 63).
Religion and God is a huge part of the book Life of Pi by Yann Martel. In chapter 20 Pi talks about when God came close to him during the winter when he was in Canada. Pi says that the Virgin Mary came to him when he was on a walk by himself; he also mentions how he was surprise he saw the Virgin Mary since his devotion to her was “secondary.” Pi was primarily a Hindu, not a Christian. With the image of the Virgin Mary coming to him Pi realizes that “the presence of God is the finest of rewards.” Which means that no matter what religion you are the most important and rewarding part of it is being able to have a close relationship with God and being able to feel his presence. I think that when the Virgin Mary appears to Pi it shows Pi that his relationship with his Christianity is stronger then he actually thought. What I mean by that is that Pi realizes just because he mainly practices Hinduism does not mean that the Gods of the other religions that he practices are not as close to him as say Allah.
I like your idea about that Pi's Christianity was stronger than he thought. I believe that Pi show this when he says: "My heart stopped and then beat triple speed. Jesus, Mary, Muhammad and Vishnu." (150). I feel the order of the names to be more than a random coincidence. His newly know strength in Christianity, as you said, is why he put Jesus and Mary first. This was a very frightening time for him and he called upon his strongest religious figures to protect him first then so on.
I like your idea about that Pi's Christianity was stronger than he thought. I believe that Pi show this when he says: "My heart stopped and then beat triple speed. Jesus, Mary, Muhammad and Vishnu." (150). I feel the order of the names to be more than a random coincidence. His newly know strength in Christianity, as you said, is why he put Jesus and Mary first. This was a very frightening time for him and he called upon his strongest religious figures to protect him first then so on.
I agree with with you at saying both Anne and Daniel. Christianity is stronger than Pi thought it was for him. He sees the Virgin Mary and Jesus. This shows that Pi has the Christian faith inside of him although he is primarily Hindu. Personally, I think that Pi is more of a Christian because he has met two very important people in the Christian faith. The book never mention him meeting a person or diety of the Hindu faith. I feel that he has a stronger connection with the Christian faith than any of the others because he is able to call interact with Jesus.
I like your idea about that Pi's Christianity was stronger than he thought. I believe that Pi show this when he says: "My heart stopped and then beat triple speed. Jesus, Mary, Muhammad and Vishnu." (150). I feel the order of the names to be more than a random coincidence. His newly know strength in Christianity, as you said, is why he put Jesus and Mary first. This was a very frightening time for him and he called upon his strongest religious figures to protect him first then so on.
I find it interesting that Chapter 20 begins with Pi talking about Allah and Islam, and it ends with the Pi describing the Virgin Mary. In this chapter, Pi even mentions Hinduism. In this chapter, all three religions coexist, and I believe that this is the chapter where Pi discovers the true meaning of religion. Pi realizes that being religious simply means having a relationship with God. Calling Him Allah, God, or Brahman is insignificant as long as Pi can converse and more importantly connect with Him. Pi says, "I described Mr. Kumar's place as a hovel. Yet no mosque, church or temple ever felt so sacred to me" (62). Pi discovers that praying has little to do with big fancy buildings, sacred offerings, or ritual processions. Instead he learns at Mr. Kumar's house that the most important thing one can do to pray is simply take some time to just talk and think with God.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you have said here, Matt. I do believe that Pi discovers the true meaning of religion: a relationship with God. On page 75, Santosh refers to Pi's name for Gandhi: "Bapu Gandhi," as well as his supposed name for Jesus: "Uncle Jesus." These names imply an informal affiliation with higher powers, and they suggest that Pi has indeed formed a religious relationship in which he can "take some time to just talk and think with God" (Matt Bode) because he recognizes God as a driving force in his life and a part of himself .
DeleteI believe that Martel included the two appearances of God in chapter 20 (the Virgin Mary and the sacred feeling of the floor of Mr Kumar's bakery) because they pertain to his two newly accepted religions and because they demonstrate Pi's equal faith in Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. Even though he was born Hindu, Pi has welcomed two more religions into his life, and his passion for God is not restricted to one religion over the other. He worships all gods equally, so he deserves to have an experience with the deities of each of the three religions. This is the “finest of rewards” in his mind (Martel 63).
Religion and God is a huge part of the book Life of Pi by Yann Martel. In chapter 20 Pi talks about when God came close to him during the winter when he was in Canada. Pi says that the Virgin Mary came to him when he was on a walk by himself; he also mentions how he was surprise he saw the Virgin Mary since his devotion to her was “secondary.” Pi was primarily a Hindu, not a Christian. With the image of the Virgin Mary coming to him Pi realizes that “the presence of God is the finest of rewards.” Which means that no matter what religion you are the most important and rewarding part of it is being able to have a close relationship with God and being able to feel his presence. I think that when the Virgin Mary appears to Pi it shows Pi that his relationship with his Christianity is stronger then he actually thought. What I mean by that is that Pi realizes just because he mainly practices Hinduism does not mean that the Gods of the other religions that he practices are not as close to him as say Allah.
ReplyDeleteI like your idea about that Pi's Christianity was stronger than he thought. I believe that Pi show this when he says: "My heart stopped and then beat triple speed. Jesus, Mary, Muhammad and Vishnu." (150). I feel the order of the names to be more than a random coincidence. His newly know strength in Christianity, as you said, is why he put Jesus and Mary first. This was a very frightening time for him and he called upon his strongest religious figures to protect him first then so on.
DeleteI like your idea about that Pi's Christianity was stronger than he thought. I believe that Pi show this when he says: "My heart stopped and then beat triple speed. Jesus, Mary, Muhammad and Vishnu." (150). I feel the order of the names to be more than a random coincidence. His newly know strength in Christianity, as you said, is why he put Jesus and Mary first. This was a very frightening time for him and he called upon his strongest religious figures to protect him first then so on.
DeleteI agree with with you at saying both Anne and Daniel. Christianity is stronger than Pi thought it was for him. He sees the Virgin Mary and Jesus. This shows that Pi has the Christian faith inside of him although he is primarily Hindu. Personally, I think that Pi is more of a Christian because he has met two very important people in the Christian faith. The book never mention him meeting a person or diety of the Hindu faith. I feel that he has a stronger connection with the Christian faith than any of the others because he is able to call interact with Jesus.
DeleteI like your idea about that Pi's Christianity was stronger than he thought. I believe that Pi show this when he says: "My heart stopped and then beat triple speed. Jesus, Mary, Muhammad and Vishnu." (150). I feel the order of the names to be more than a random coincidence. His newly know strength in Christianity, as you said, is why he put Jesus and Mary first. This was a very frightening time for him and he called upon his strongest religious figures to protect him first then so on.
ReplyDelete