What's your favorite sentence or passage in the book and why?
Start your comment with the actual text and citation. Then, in a thoughtful, well-developed paragraph, discuss the passage specifically, thoughtfully, and analytically.
"For the evil is but evil from within that has been let out. The main battlefield for good is not the open ground of the public arena but the small clearing of each heart" (71). This is the quote we read right before Pi talks to his parents about his wish of being baptized. I see it as being a pep talk to himself, because he is gathering the courage to bring up the sensitive topic of religion in this very conservative house. It is so conservative that the family feels embarrassed and uncomfortable talking about such views. This comes up a lot in these pages. First was when the priest, imam, and the pandit were at the zoo and arguing over Pi's religious views, and his father walks away saying, "Who wants ice cream?" He is just trying to leave the crowd and change the subject. You see this cry of help coming from the mother too. On pages 72 and 73, Pi continued to gather up his courage and asked to be baptized, only to be pushed away, yet again, by his father and onto his mother. We see that Pi's mom feels the same unsteadiness that her husband does about their sons religious practices when he asks her the same question and she goes on to ask him if he has read Robinson Crusoe. Both her and her husband are only accepting what they wish to see and hear, but that is not the reality nor the truth.
My favorite passage thus far would have to be on page 53 where Pi is relating the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to absolve the sins of man to the zoo. He relates humans to the lions, who have been killing off other animals in the zoo, or “sinning”. Pi’s father, who Pi relates to God, tells Pi that the only way to absolve the lions of their sins if Pi, comparing himself to Jesus Christ, is fed to the lions. I liked this passage so much because I have often felt the same way. I went to a Catholic school, and every time I tried to puzzle out the story of Christ’s sacrifice or point out the obvious flaws in logic I was promptly hushed up. It was frustrating; how could people not see through the flimsy story? What a weak basis for such an enormous religion! It was with this that I concluded that religion was completely irrational and drove perfectly reasonable people to the realm of insanity. This story perfectly exemplifies that, and to this day, I still have not gotten a solid response as to how this makes any sense. But I suppose that’s the point of religion—it doesn’t make sense.
"Whatever the reason for wanting to escape, sane or insane, zoo detractors should realize that animals don't escape to somewhere but from something" (41). I love this quote because it is describes animal nature so well. Not only that, but it describes human nature perfectly too. The question is what does this have to do with the book? I believe that religion is Pi's escape from the real world, from the finite. Pi is escaping from the finite to the infinite, a realm of endless possibilities. Religion does this for everyone, but it takes a certain kind of person to realize this, and Pi learns it at an early age through his experiences with the zoo.
I also agree that this quote describes animals very well. Pi does the same thing as the animals. Pi could sit on the lifeboat alone for weeks (disregarding food and water as limited), but in his mind, he could not stay there with a tiger. Pi had to "escape" the tiger, because the tiger was in his territory. The lifeboat was supposed to be Pi's, but some of the other zoo animals invaded his territory (the lifeboat). Pi is escaping Richard Parker, but also the finite. The life boat is the finite and the ocean and horizon is the infinite. Pi is escaping the life boat to be on his makeshift raft, in the seemingly infinite Pacific Ocean. The life boat has walls, but his raft does not.
Billy Dunn 4 November 2012 “A pearl of water appeared. I licked it off. I tuned the can and banged the opposite side of the top against the hook to make another hole. I worked like a fiend” (142). This is my favorite passage because Yann Martel made me feel like I was watching Pi trying to break open this can off water because he is so thirsty. Thirst is a very relatable aspect of life and often times we find ourselves running for water and feeling like we can’t go on without it. In my situation, it would mean going thirty minutes without water while at basketball practice; but three days--not even in my imagination can I simulate what three days without water would feel like. I do, however, know the feeling of being so close to something and wanting it that much more. Pi is taunted with the pearl of water and quickly licks it away. The agony of receiving just a single drop of water makes Pi want more just like when you are given something in a portion you crave more and more. Pi says he is working like a fiend, which translates to Satan or the devil, and in this moment Pi is working as hard as the devil for that drop of water. In a time when Pi is stranded in the middle of the ocean, god is absent and the devil has filled his place like the jealous counterpart he is. Pi hasn’t experienced the antagonistic side of religion yet, and in this moment of weakness Pi is overcome with emotion and would go to any means to get this water. Thirst is one of the most unbearable ways to suffer even Pi refers to Christ and his complaint of thirst “Christ on the Cross died of suffocation, but his only complaint was of thirst. If thirst can be so taxing that even God Incarnate complains about it, imagine the effect of a regular human… I have never known a worse physical hell than this putrid taste and pasty feeling in the mouth….Truly, but comparison, a tiger was nothing” (135). Pi talks about how he would rather face a hyena or the Pacific Ocean than a tiger, but finally the tiger has met his match: thirst. Pi has yet to face the devil and this experience is testing his will within religion. Holy Water is a powerful apparatus that has power over the devil, and he fears it more than anything. But in the absence of god the devil overpowers Pi and shows what the dark side of religion is really like when people are so close to death.
Billy I love this quote too! I like how you mentioned how close Pi is to something he wants and is constantly taunted with what he wants but in some kind of way can't have. For example, he's surrounded by so much water (the Pacific Ocean) yet he can't drink a drop of it. It was really interesting how you related this to religion- I never looked at this thirst in that aspect (until now). I also think you can relate his religious life before the shipwreck to the idea that Pi is taunted by something he desperately needs before he can acquire it. Pi was always very religious. Hinduism was the foundation of his religious beliefs. He wanted salvation, to be saved. He wanted a closer relationship with God. But he was still unsettled which is why he turned to Christianity and Islam in order to love God. The bickering between his three Gurus and skepticism of his parents loomed over him- taunting him in disapproving ways. In the end, the matter of choosing a religion was still present. He overcame adversity against his practices and finally found peace. This is so relatable to the fact that Pi wanted and needed water and fought internally and externally until he got what he wanted.
"Things didn't turn out the way they were supposed to, but what can you do? You must take life the way it comes at you and make the best of it" (Martel 91). It is obvious that things did not go the way they were supposed to. Life comes at Pi in a way that I am sure he would have never imagined. The Patel family does not make it to Canada, and instead Pi is stuck on a lifeboat with a small group of animals, the most impacting one being an adult tiger. But Pi does what he has to do to survive, knowing well what would happen if he would fail to do so, and makes the best of what he has.
Manny, I love this quote too! There are a bunch of quotes similar to this all over the place, but I think Martel is only one of a few who includes a question. I think Martel purposely frases it like this because life in general is a question. What will happen next? What do I do know? What's next for for me? I think Pi is also reflecting throughout his entire life. Even though Pi is no longer on the boat and has moved on, things can still go wrong. Pi has a family know, and there are definitely bumps in the road when you have to care for more people. This quote really can sum up the whole book as a question to what are you going to do now that everything you know has changed?
"Life is so beautiful that death has fallen in love with it, a jealous, possessive love that grabs what it can. But life leaps over oblivion, losing only a thing or two of no importance, and gloom is but the passing shadow of a cloud"(6). This is my favorite passage of the book because of its flowing diction and the message that lies behind it. I like how Martel starts the sentence with life, because that is what happens in the real world: life before death. I think Martel is describing Pi's personality and life story in this passage. The passage shows how Pi always has a bright attitude, and that he is willing to make leap and face adversity or death. This passage represents Pi's life story when it mentions, "But life leaps over oblivion lightly, only losing a thing or two of little importance." That sentence shows how Pi has been through rough times and has lost his family, but despite that he kept his spirits as high as he could and leapt "over oblivion." The line: "gloom is but the passing shadow of a cloud" directly relates to Pi's time aboard the lifeboat. He is full of gloom and sadness because of the loss of his family and his dark future. With time though, the clouds pass and gloom goes with them, so if Pi survives long enough, he will be reunited with the light of life. This whole passage encompasses more than just Pi's life. I think it is Martel's way of saying, don't waste your life fearing death, because the light of life is so bright even death is jealous of it. Life is a gift: take it, and make the most out of it.
Good job, Jack. I really like your vocabulary and your writing flows really well. Just remember that Pi isn't sad all his life. He is only on the life boat for a certain period of time. Maybe you could connect more of his experiences on the boat and of him suffering specifically. Really great post in general.
Yes, I agree totally with Jake. I also did the same line and I think that it is the best line in the book that we have read so far. Maybe for the "leaps oblivion" part that you wrote about you could add some examples of some obstacles that Pi had to "leap" and over come. The cloud that is also expressed in the passage is also referring to his "gloomy-nous" and how he his down in the dumps, but we all know that clouds don't stick around forever and that means that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
"If thirst can be so taxing that even God Incarnate complains about it imagine the effect on a regular human."(135). I love this line so much because it made a statement about my religion that I never really thought a about. Jesus Christ was dying on the cross and had nails in his feet and hands and was wearing a crown of thorns but the one thing he complained about was his lack of water. Jesus Christ is the basis of Christianity he is part of the Holy trinity, and yet even he complained about lack of thirst. Know that I know this I am extremely frightened by the fact that if I ever died of dehydration the horrible pain both mental and physical it would toll on my body. That is what I like about this line and book is that it poses questions about my faith and others that I have never even imagined. I then pose this question or statement to my family and see if we can together we can understand this statement and ultimately becoming more knowledgeable about my faith and others.
I like this quote as well but I feel like Pi is becoming closer to god through his experience of the boat. Pi experiences this thirst and the suffering. Pi comes so close to death and I believe he survives because his faith is so strong. In the quote it says "imagine the effect on a regular human." Well Pi is that regular human who experiences this agonizing need for water. In a way, this makes Pi different from the regular human because he could survive such a journey. This showed to me that through his religion and faith Pi did the unimaginable. Personally I don't think I would have lasted two weeks, and I cannot imagine experiences how thirsty both Pi and Jesus were. This quote does question ones faith and this book answers it by saying most regular humans could not survive the need for thirst but Pi did because he is extraordinary.
"All living things contain a measure of madness that moves them in strange, sometimes inexplicable ways. This madness can be saving; it is part and parcel of the ability to adapt. Without it, no species would survive" (41). There is quite a lot of adapting in "Life of Pi." Pi learns to adapt new religions into his life. Without his believes, Pi would not be where he was today and his experience on the boat might have been different. It is what we adapt and take in our life that makes us who we are. His parents adapted to his lifestyle as Muslim, Hindu, and Christian. This made it easier for Pi to follow his heart and beliefs. Pi learns to adapt to the critical conditions on the boat and the species that surrounds him. What he went through was quite maddening, but it was the lessons he learned previously that allowed him to adapt and survive. The connection that Pi and Richard Parker had on the boat is what allowed them to excel and survive as a team. This ability that living things have is extraordinary. I love this quote because it shows the amazing ability of nature.
"I tell you, to be drunk on alcohol is disgraceful, but to be drunk on water is noble and ecstatic" (Martel 143).
I absolutely love this quote because rarely is being drunk considered noble and ecstatic. When I first read this quote I laughed a little to myself. When you are so thirsty and you finally get that cup water so cold that the class is sweating, you get of sense of complete and total peace and happiness. This is exactly what I got from this sentence. Being able to picture a scene in a book is why I love to read. When I'm reading a book and I can feel what the characters are feeling, I can truly enjoy it. Water is one thing that everybody can truly agree on. We can all have different types of favorite food, but water is a common thing we all need to survive. I love how Martel uses drunk to show Pi's contentment now that he has water. "Drunk" primarily has a negative connotation to it, so the fact that he is so drunk on water and is elated, makes me smile a little because I can feel the weight fall off his shoulders as he drinks the water.
I loved this quote, too! I love how Martel is comparing being drunk on alcohol to being drunk on water. This quote shows that Pi is really enjoying his water, and that it is a good thing to be drunk on water. This quote also shows that Pi is getting a feeling of superiority because he says that it is noble to be drunk on water, so this refers to him being noble and like a king. I also think that this quote shows that Pi's confidence in himself has skyrocketed because of the reference to nobility. It shows that he is above others since he is drunk on water and that he can do anything.
"With the very first rays of light it came alive in me: hope...Hope increased until it was like a song in my heart... Hope fed on hope" (119). I love this quote. To me, this quote means that once you have hope, it grows. Without his hope for a sunrise, Pi would not have had a hope for a future. Without a hope for a future, Pi would have given up and died. His hope for a future gave Pi hope that his family was still alive. A Sunrise, Orange Juice, a hyena, water, and food all gave Pi hope. I love the idea that anything can give you hope, and I love that hope can come in all different ways.
I agree with what you are saying about Pi finding hope. But Pi continuously has hope and faith throughout the book, then loses it. For Pi hope is not what is keeping him alive, his zoology studies and the survival pack is. He knows about the animals enough to know how to control their mind and how to act around them. Another thing that I agree with is that hope can come in different ways. One way for Pi is through God and his religions. "The blackness would stir and eventually go away, and God would remain, a shining point of light in my heart. I would go on loving" (209). Pi's skills are what keeping him alive, it's his religion and faith in God is what's pushing him forward.
"The finite within the infinite, the infinite within the finite"( Martel chapter 16).
This happens when the author is talking about the Hindu faith, and how Pi was more than one religion. I think this quote explains all the rational/irrational differences in the book. The finite is something that one day will ends, and infinite is something that will never ends. It is the same story of seeing two things in different ways. We can not prove that something can lest forever, but we know that things ends. All this book is based in logical versus imaginative.
I think that this is also a metaphor for religion, because in religion (I know in Christianity and Hindu, and I think it's true for Muslims too), we believe that part of God (the Holy Ghost) is in us (the infinite within the finite), and that we are a part of God (the finite within the infinite). In Pi's religions, the belief is that without God, the humans would not exist, but also true is that without someone to believe in him (or them) God would not have anyone to matter to.
I think this quote is also meaning a life of birth and death explaining finite and infinite. An individual life is finite because someday it will die and never going to restart again. However, this rotation will not end. Birth and death will continue. Because a birth happens a death happens. And because of death happens birth happpens.
"The presence of God is the finest of rewards" (79). When I first read this quote, I felt compassion and warmth in my heart. I do not know why I felt this way at first but as I started reading the book more and more, I realized why. This line sums up the days Pi spent with animals on the boat. How although he was nearly starving with vicious animals ready to attack and Richard Parker, he still thinks of God and feels his presence. People might think how can he think of God when he is near starvation and without water? The question has been answered in this quote. He feels that God's "presence" is something to be valued and although he was expressing his hunger on the boat, and the graphic scenes of the animals, he still felt comfort in His presence. One quote that shows the readers that he did not forget God was when he shouted "God preserve me!" No supplication was ever more passionate yet more gently carried by the breath" (177). Pi needed God's help, he needed to be protected, to find a sign. That is the second reason why he "values" God's presence. Pi did not starve, he found food, and water to quench his thirst. God did not leave him alone. That is why I think that this quote I chose above, not only does it sum up the journey on the boat, but also Pi's personality. He trusted God to show him a clue, and Pi found it. That is why it is my favorite quote.
"The presence of God is the finest of rewards" (79). When I first read this quote, I felt compassion and warmth in my heart. I do not know why I felt this way at first but as I started reading the book more and more, I realized why. This line sums up the days Pi spent with animals on the boat as well as his whole life in general. How although he was nearly starving with vicious animals ready to attack and Richard Parker, he still thinks of God and feels his presence. People might wonder how can he think of God when he is near starvation and without water. The question has been answered in this quote. He feels that God's "presence" is something to be valued and although he was expressing his hunger on the boat, and the graphic scenes of the animals, he still felt comfort in His presence. One quote that shows the readers that he did not forget God was when he shouted "God preserve me!" No supplication was ever more passionate yet more gently carried by the breath" (177). Pi needed God's help, he needed to be protected, to find a sign. That is the second reason why he "values" God's presence. Pi did not starve, he found food, and water to quench his thirst. God did not leave him alone. That is why I think that this quote I chose above, not only does it sum up the journey on the boat, but also Pi's personality. He trusted God to show him a clue, and Pi found it. That is why it is my favorite quote. As Pi said on page 264,"God would remain, a shining point of light in [his] heart. [He] would go on loving." Pi will never give up on God nor God will give up on him.
“I must say a word about fear. It is life’s only true component. Only fear can defeat life” (161). This passage clearly states a key component while Pi is on the life boat that his main emotion is fear. Pi is sad and lonesome; however, he does still have Richard Parker. A few chapters later we come to terms with the fact Richard Parker the tiger is trying to befriend Pi with his quiet “Prusten” tiger call. Up until that point, Pi had been living in fear: fear of being the last prey on the ship for Richard Parker to feast on, fear of never seeing land again, and fear of running out of rations and water. Pi is left in disbelief and doubt he will ever be saved, and this only leads to anxiety. While fear eats away at Pi, anxiety can only weaken his mind and hope to push through. Hope is all Pi has left while he is out at sea. He practices three religions: Hinduism, Islamic, and Christianity. Now I am left wonder in the past few days he has been lost out at sea he has not mentioned or referred back to God once. Since religion is such a large factor in Pi’s lifestyle, why hasn’t he prayed to god or asked for hope and to push through this horrible tragedy. My question I am left to remain skeptical about is which religion will be the relying factor, which one will he choose, if one at all?
Amy, I like your take on fear and how Pi battles with these fears of being stranded with an enormous tiger that could attack at any moment. Although, I will refer back to your line " Now I am left to wonder in the past few days he has been lost out at sea, and he has not mentioned or referred back to God once" (Amy Cory). That sentence made me think. Sorry to correct you, but yes, Pi did refer back to God, Allah, Virgin Mary, and Vishnu, but only in moments of fear. I just now realized that now thanks to your post. "Vishnu preserve me, Allah protect me, Christ save me, I can't bear it!" (Martel 98). This is the first time he has mentioned God(or God-like figures since his abandonment: when the boat was crashing and he was fearful. Pi, yet again calls out to the God figures of his religions when he sees Orange Juice dead, " She looked like a simian Christ on the Cross" (Martel 132). Also, Pi calls out to God when he is horrified of seeing Richard Parker right underneath him. "God preserve me!' No supplication was ever more passionate yet more gently carried by the breath" (Martel 140). I think Martel is trying to say that as humans, we use religion as an aid in times of distressed fear and anxiety rather than a form of reverence to higher powers. Throughout the book, Martel is using Pi as an example of all the different ways people can see religion and the world around them, and he uses fear as a variable to show true character of Pi.
"Her arms spread wide open and her short legs were folded together and slightly turned to one side. She looked like a simian Christ on the Cross" (132). I believe this quote is significant because Pi's two passions are displayed with the image Yan Martel paints. Pi respected this orangutan as he respected Jesus. Orange Juice could have put up a fight with the hyena if Orange Juice wanted to. She gave her life up for something or someone else. Orange Juice knew that if the hyena didn't eat her, it could have eaten Pi, or another animal. Jesus also died for other people. I think that Orange Juice and Pi both had something in common they had to fear, and something in common they wanted. Orange Juice let the hyena kill her because considered Pi as a greater being, and it was out of respect that she would sacrifice herself for Pi. In the beginning of the novel, Pi says that animals, including humans, have a certain class system, and the lower class animal will protect the higher class animals if he can. The Orangutan could have sacrificed herself knowing that others will benefit from her death. The greatest gift of all is risking or taking your life for the sake of another, hoping for a better future. When Jesus died, he gave amnesty to the people’s sins; when Orange Juice died, he gave hope to Pi because the hyena will surely be full after eating an orangutan and a zebra.
“The reason death sticks so closely to life isn’t biological necessity it’s envy. Life is so beautiful that death has fallen in love with it, a jealous, possessive love that grabs at what it can. But life leaps over oblivion lightly, losing only a thing or two of no importance, and gloom is but the passing shadow of a cloud” (Martel 6). This quote is my favorite sentence that Martel has written so far. I like how it flows and jumps out at you as a simile should. Martel talks about life and then death which are two opposites, but come together as opposites that attract. “Life is so beautiful that death has fallen in love with it, a jealous, possessive love that grabs at what it can.” He is referring to life and death as two beings with an emotional connection of love and jealousy toward each other, when really they are just stages in existence that all living being have to go through. Death had envy towards life because it gets to experience what the being does through its life and then death comes abruptly and ends it: “Life leaps over oblivion lightly, losing only a thing or two of no importance.” Pi has had to leap over obstacles and unknowns in life and take a chance at what may come. In the meantime losing his family and leaving his country and friends back at home to start a new beginning in his day to day changing life: “Gloom is but the passing shadow of a cloud.” he is telling the reader that yes Pi does get depressed and sad at time, but there is always a break in the cloud where the sun shines through and things start to change in a good way.
"Her arms spread wide open and her short legs were folded together and slightly turned to one side. She looked like a simian Christ on the Cross" (132). I believe this quote is significant because Pi's two passions are displayed with the image Yan Martel paints. Pi respected this orangutan as he respected Jesus. Orange Juice could have put up a fight with the hyena if Orange Juice wanted to. She gave her life up for something or someone else. Orange Juice knew that if the hyena didn't eat her, it could have eaten Pi, or another animal. Jesus also died for other people. I think that Orange Juice and Pi both had something in common they had to fear, and something in common they wanted. Orange Juice let the hyena kill her because she considered Pi as a greater being, and it was out of respect that she would sacrifice herself for Pi. In the beginning of the novel, Pi says that animals, including humans, have a certain class system, and the lower class animal will protect the higher class animals if he can. The Orangutan could have sacrificed herself knowing that others will benefit from her death. When Jesus died, he gave amnesty to the people’s sins; when Orange Juice died, he gave hope to Pi because the hyena will surely be full after eating an orangutan and a zebra. The greatest gift of all time is risking or taking your life for the sake of another, hoping for a better future.
Quentin Jones Mrs. Gahan World Literature December 4, 2012 "1 God" (Martel, 146).
This quote really speaks to me because this quote is taken from the list of things on the boat. The mere fact that Pi included God on his list tells us a lot about Pi's situation, one main observation is that Pi still has faith. We read so much about when faced with death, many people discard their faith, humanity, and hope. Pi has lost more than we can imagine, his family, his country, many of his beloved animals, but yet he refuses to lose God. Pi's devotion to god, in such a trying time, no matter what you think about his beliefs of several religions, is amazing. When all else has been lost, Pi does not give up God. Pi's belief in God is also what saves him, God is what drives Pi. God gives Pi hope, and gives Pi a reason to live and keep fighting without losing his humanity or sanity. Pi’s insert of “1 God” to the list, also help the reader understand Pi’s religious views. Pi believes in three different religions, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. Pi’s beliefs are hard to understand because Pi does not go into detail about his belief and how all three religions blend together for him. His List lets us know a big part of his worship. Thanks to his “1 God”, we can start to decode Pi’s religious beliefs. Pi believes in one God, which coincides with the Christian and Muslim beliefs, but falters from the Hindu belief. One God also lets us know that Pi worships one God, not all Christian, Muslim, and Hindu Gods together. Pi believes in one God that blends together all three religions teachings, beliefs, and rules. The list is composed of objects on the boat, when Pi added God to his list, it means that God is with Pi. It is hard to determine if Pi is referring to his own belief in god, if god is inside him, if god is everywhere, or if god is next to him on the boat, but we do understand that God is with Pi. This is important because it lets us know that Pi’s God is with him constantly. God is close to Pi, and sees everything Pi does and say. God is close and will never leave even in the roughest times when it seems as if God is gone, God is there always watching.
Simran Nanda December 4, 2012 "On this lifeboat, the wine of life was served in pale golden cans that fit nicely in the hand" (178). I love this quote because of the comparison between the two liquids. "The wine of life." Both drinks are greatly valued and are both considered a luxury- depending on the situation. As our world gets more accustomed to the abundance of drinking water it becomes less of a luxury. In our own simplistic reality, water is like a product that "everyone" uses and has access to. But wine, wine is always considered a luxury. Not everyone has it and it is expensive and adored. The way Martel compares it to wine gives the reader a reality check to how precious water really is. The description of a dehydrated Pi made me shudder. “I have never known a worse physical hell than this putrid taste in the mouth, this unbearable pressure at the back of the throat, this sensation that my blood was turning to a thick syrup that barely flowed” (170). I felt I could truly relate to this description yet the concept of dying of thirst was foreign to me. To be in Pi’s situation for even a day would drive me insane; surrounded by trillions of gallons of water, all of it undrinkable. That is like being given two hundred pieces of bread, all of it moldy in the same spot. This irony makes the novel seem like constant comparison, a never ending flow chart.
Simran, I agree with everything in your post, and I really liked this line too. You talked about how comparing water to wine shows how precious and valuable water really is. I think another way Martel showed this was describing how it was served in “golden” cans. Martel didn’t have to say what color the cans were, but he said they were golden. Gold, in terms of money, is the most valuable thing on Earth. Water, in terms of survival, is the most valuable thing someone can have. “He might last for weeks without food, but no animal, however mighty, can do without water for any extended period of time” (200). Water is essential to survival, even more so than food. It’s a precious and valuable commodity, just like gold.
"This story has a happy ending" (Martel 93). Short, sweet, and to the point. Martel's usage of short, gut-knawing sentneces punches the reader right in the gut when they least expect it. This simple sentence has so much meaning jam-packed into it. The reader can look at the sentence in two ways. He can look at it as a sweet and sincere sentence, and he can look at it as a solumn, get ready for the dark times ahead sentence. To me, this sentence means both, especially in different contexts. I love how Martel can have so much meaning in six words, and that has meaning to me.
"There are always those who take it upon themselves to defend God, as if Ultimately Reality, as if the sustaining frame of existence, were something weak and helpless (Martel 70). I love this quote because it is a great representation of how I feel about a lot of people. I never pass up the chance to protect God. It is significant to me because Pi is talking about how he feels about some people who's ultimate goal is to stand up for God and make sure people never bring his name down. Pi talks about how God needs to be protected on the inside and not as much on the outside.
Jack Scott Ms. Gahan World Literature December 4, 2012
“There are always those who take it upon themselves to defend God, as if Ultimately Reality, as if the sustaining frame of existence, were something weak and helpless (Martel 70).
I love this quote because it is a great representation of how I feel about many people. I never pass up the chance to protect God. It is significant to me because Pi is talking about how he feels about some people who's ultimate goal is to stand up for God and make sure people never bring his name down. Pi talks about how God needs to be protected on the inside and not as much on the outside. Pi is greatly influenced about the fact that people should direct their anger at themselves and not at God. This is also significant because Pi believes in Hinduism, Christianity, and Muslim. That means he believes in three different Gods. Pi has the responsibility of standing up for all three of theGods that he worships and believes in. This quote has a very strong effect on me. I know Pi is a very passionate believer in this as well.
Pi didn't really believe that God needed protection. He thought he was powerful enough to stand up for himself. Pi thought that protecting God was not needed. I can see where he is coming from because he thinks that he is the most powerful person or thing so he doesn't see the need to protect him.
"Reason is my prophet" 28 This line sums up the entire book (even if Martel thinks that honor should go to the meeting of the 2 Mr. Kumars). The entirety of the book is dedicated to the balance and imbalance of what is rational and what is irrational, what is reasonable and what is religious. In this sentence Mr. Kumar is expressing what I feel must be true for Pi as it is for me: that I believe because I find it to be the most logical and reasonable thing to do. Alot of the time people say that intelligent people can't be religious because they must know it isn't true. But I believe that religion and proven fact must go hand in hand, that there can not be one without the other. People say they don't have faith, or can't believe in God without "proof", but we believe most things people tell us without a question, regardless of whether they have proof or not. We assume that our history teachers are telling us the truth, and that the facts they make us memorize actually happened, though we doubt the reality of the Bible's historical accuracy because it is a thousand years older, but we have found turtle shells and oracle bones containing stories from ancient China, which are even older. Our science teachers teach us commonly accepted theories, which we know and noone doubts. How commonly accepted does a theory have to be to be considered true? Martel was trying to convey that Pi's intelligence and religion go hand in hand, that if Pi was not religious, he would not understand the world as well as he does. And also that if he was not as smart as he is, he would not be able to think through three religions and let them live inside him harmoniously.
“Truly, by comparison, a tiger was nothing” (135) Pi uses this line to compare his thirst with the presence of the tiger. I like this quote because it shows how extreme his need for water is. To say that your thirst takes a higher reign over the presence of a wild, blood thirsty animal is pretty bold, and rightfully so. While reading, I envisioned myself in Pi’s place, wondering what I would do if I was in the same situation as he was, so details like this help to paint a picture of what it would be like.
"Darkness? I was puzzled. I thought, Darkness is the last thing that religion is. Religion is light"(Martel 27). In the Life of Pi, religion is almost like a character in the book. Pi celebrates and worhsips a myriad of religions and saviors, but not everyone around him feels the same way. As Pi says, “religion is light” but to some people religion is considered darkness. He meets people on his journey such as agnostics and atheists, but their opinions are irrelevant to him because at the end of the day he knows what he believes in and he won't stop believing. I like this quote a lot because I believe very strongly in religion. I was raised to believe in Christ but went through a phase where I had lost my faith only then realizing how important it actually was to me. In my opinion, faith is so much more than worship and church, I feel as if my religion and god is always present with me. "'Religion will save us,' I said. Since when I could remember, religion had been very close to my heart" (Martel 27). Pi continuously discusses his passion for religion and the reason why I like this quote so much is because he includes the word, heart. He spoke of how his religion was in his heart and your heart and your mind are two completely different things. You can worship, attend services, and pray as much as you can, but if you don’t feel it in your heart, it’s almost like you’ve been wasting your time. It’s your own, personal relationship with your savior that matters most. Pi feels his religion. He worships but he can feel his religion in his heart and soul, which is so important. It’s religion that keeps you holding on to hope. “’Bapu Gandhi said, ‘All religions are true.’ I just want to love God,’” I blurted out, and looked down, red in the face” (Martel 69). All Pi wants to do is love his God and share that bond with him. I think Pi never lost his faith because he never stopped believing in the fact that his God would protect him. For example, on the boat with all those animals, he should’ve been the first meal! Pi was intelligent and was kept protected by his God throughout the entire book and that’s why I think religion is such an important aspect in Pi’s life. Throughout Pi’s life, religion was always his light and was forever implanted in his heart.
Maddie O’Leary Mrs.Gahan World Literature 4 December 2012 "If we, citizens, do not support our artists, then we sacrifice our imagination on the altar of crude reality and we end up believing in nothing and having worthless dreams"(Martel XII). Reviewing the Authors note in class, I found myself annotating the text closely. Yann Martel's vocabulary and sentence structure is truly exquisite and this is a prime example of his great work. This is my favorite sentence in the novel so far because the reader can interpret their own idea of what the author was trying to explain. Also, I feel like Martel placed it at the end of his Authors Note because he felt it was important and meaningful. In the beginning of the sentence, the words citizens and artists appear close to one another. I believe the author is insinuating that as citizens we need to aid the artists in creating excellent work. I feel as if Martel used the word artists, but it could be replaced with the word leader. Artists are the leaders of imagination in our world and we should appreciate them. If we as people don’t push ourselves to trust the leaders of the world, there will be nothing for us to believe in. Goals become unbearable to reach and overall life becomes more stressful. Supporting our president, teachers, and parents make dreams more achievable and in this case giving assistance to our artists they will help us with that. I think that the placement of certain words in the sentence are supposed to be symbolic is some way. About midway through the sentence it says, “Then we sacrifice our imagination on the altar of crude reality…” Imagination relates to the artists while crude reality seems to be directed towards the citizens. We lose our imagination by being so caught up in reality.
Daniel Rolen Mrs. Gahan World Literature 4 December 2012
“But when Richard Parker’s amber eyes met mine, the stare was intense, cold and unflinching, not flighty or friendly, and spoke of self-possession on the point of exploding with rage… Every hair on me was standing up, shrieking with fear” (Martel 152). This is my favorite quote because of what it describes; the extraordinary power that resigns within nature. It shows the power, cunning, and tranquility that resides within Richard Parker. It also demonstrates the futility of mankind. It shows that simple elegant power trumps the self-proclaimed superiority of man. It is showing on a smaller scale of how nature will always win. Dams will be built and nature will tear them to shreds; monuments will be built and be obliterated. Our attempt to control the earth is similar to that of ants trying to build mounds on playgrounds. This quote also resonates with me because of its capability to capture the tiger through only one of its aspects. Martel’s use of the word “unflinching” gives me the greatest insight into the mind of Richard Parker. This single word describes Richard’s view on the boat. He is well aware of the fact that he is the alpha on the boat, and gives little to no disregard to Pi in any circumstance except for dietary one. He was able to clearly assert his dominance, without even a confrontation. This quote not only shows the strength of Richard Parker, but it also shows Pi’s greatest weakness: his fear. Earlier in the novel Pi describes at lengths the great importance of having the animal with the trainer believe that its trainer is the alpha, and that it is below them. However, when the time comes for Pi to make the crucial opening stand, he cowers. While Pi shows no lack in resourcefulness, creativity, and intelligence, his Achilles Heel is fear. He allows for his fear to control him, as opposed to him controlling it. This inability to handle fear is something he must overcome if he is to survive.
"These people fail to realize that it is on the inside that God must be defended, not on the outside. They should direct their anger at themselves. For evil in the open is but evil from within that has been let out. The main battlefield for good is not the open ground of the public arena but the small clearing of each heart" (Martel 71). This quote really stood out to me when I was reading this chapter. Pi talked about people who did not defend a widow with leprosy,and the children who were living on the street, but the people defended God right away. Pi was trying to say that those people should defend God on the inside, not the outside. The people ignored the widow and kids on the street like they were not there, but when someone said the slightest thing about God they became defensive and angry. Pi was saying that the people should come to the children and widow's defense. I think he was also saying that God knows if you have Him inside of you, so you don't need to defend Him on the outside. They should do good deeds for others and come to their defense. Pi said,"There are always those who take it upon themselves to defend God, as if Ultimate Reality, as if the sustaining frame of existence, were something weak and helpless" (Martel 70). People were defending God like he was a little child or old woman who was weak and helpless. They were defending God like they should have been defending the children and widow who ARE weak and helpless. God is powerful, not weak and helpless.
"These people fail to realize that it is on the inside that God must be defended, not on the outside" (71). This is so true and important in all religions. Many people believe that by defending God in a public place, they will automatically have a place in heaven, which is not true at all. It's the little things in religion in which make it so important. It's praying every day; it's doing the small and good deeds all the time (even when people don't appreciate it) because in the end it is between only you and God – no one else matters. You must love God from the inside. Some people think that they love Him, even though they really don't. They know that they would rather sleep in on a Sunday morning, rather than go to church or wouldn’t stop and take a small time out of their day to just say "Thank you" because we are all so lucky; it's the little things like that that make all the difference. If you are truly religious than you are the type of person who does good things while no one is watching you and while no one knows it was even you, you are humble; you don’t need people to see you doing it or praise from anyone, because knowing you did the right thing should make you feel better than any praise from anyone could do. You help people because it’s the right thing to do, not just because it will help you get into heaven. I liked this quote because it shows Pi has really figured it out. This quote is a big key in religion and not many people figure it out until they are much more mature. It shows Pi’s maturity as well as understanding of religion.
Shawn, I agree with almost every point you made, and enjoyed what you said about doing the "small things" in religion. This quote shows that Pi believes in doing these small things and shows that Pi is true to his views in all religions. Another quote that I think could add to your post was further down on page 71 when Pi stated "The main battlefield for good is not the open ground of the public arena but the small clearing of each heart"(Martel 71). This quote adds to your argument when you talk about the small things in religion and how the most important things in religion are the things that go unseen. The things that are in "the small clearing of each heart".
“If we as citizens do not support our artist, then we sacrifice our imagination on the altar of crude reality and we end up believing in nothing and having worthless dreams” (Martel XII). I specifically love this quote in the Author’s Note in Life of Pi for it exhibits my perspective of life in a very simple, yet complex way. I believe that everyone should have the experience of making some form of art, whether it be written, played, drawn, painted or spoken, and that artists are the athletes of emotions and imagination in today’s world. They have the strength to break away from reality into their realms of imagination and dreams to create something new and hopefully inspiring for others. True artist are the ones who take the chance of pushing the envelope just to be heard in spite the fear that they may just be rejected. I believe that artists are the ones who alter their dreams into inspirations for future generations. Being an actress for my school, I am constantly striving to be able to look within and make lines and scripts become truthful and relatable to myself and the audience. My teacher tells our class, that in order to have a viable piece of theater; we must use every ounce of our being and commit to the story so it makes sense to us the actors and the audience. It is an arduous task to take on as a fifteen year old girl, but I have grown so much as a person because of it. I believe what Martel is trying to say is that, in order for the world not to be a dark and scary place, we all must take the time not to look at the world as black and white, but look at it with all the shades in between. If we do not take the time to do so, we will never reach our full potential and our imagination will be limited and confined. The artists of yesterday are the inspiration for the dreams of our future.
Misaki Murase December 4 "The finite within infinite, the infinite within the finite"(61). The finite and the infinite is represented by the rational and irrational. The rational is reality and the infinite is religion. This quote is explaining the major theme of Life of Pi by Yann Martel. When Pi was little and practicing swimming, the finite was the swimming pool and the infinite was the ocean. When Pi is on the sea alone on the lifeboat, it is comparing the situation of what Pi is in and believing in god. The conversation between Mr.Kumar and Mr.Kumar. All the themes are comparing totally opposite infinite and finite. Even though finite and infinite are opposite,finite and infinite are in the both space and they can't exixst without each other. They are part of the others. Finite is in the infinite. People doesn't know what is outside of the world which represents infinite. Infinite is in the finite because if there is no infinite, finite won't exist. This quote is saying the major theme, comparing what is finite and infinite. They can't live without each other.
Misaki Murase December 4 "The finite within the infinite, the infinite within the finite"(61). The finite and the infinite are represented by the rational and irrational. The finite is reality and the infinite is religion and God. This quote is explaining the major theme of Life of Pi by Yann Martel. There are many examples that compare rational and irrational such as when Pi was little and practicing swimming, the finite was the swimming pool and the infinite was the ocean. When Pi was on the sea alone on the lifeboat, it is comparing the situation of what Pi is in and believing in god. Also when there was a conversation between the zoologist Mr.Kumar and Muslim mystic Mr.Kumar. All the themes are comparing totally opposite infinite and finite. Even though finite and infinite are opposite, finite and infinite are in the both space and they have to exist with each other. They are part of the others. Finite is in the infinite. People don't know what is outside of the world like. And people also don’t know what is ultimate inside of the world such as quarks or higgs boson. Infinite is in the finite because if there is no infinite, finite won't exist. The idea of infinite is here because there is an idea of finite. Also the idea of finite is here because there is an idea infinite. If there is no end, obviously the word finite won’t come up but also infinite won’t exist because the fact of no end is natural. We know that there is an end; therefore, these two exist in human’s imagination. This quote is saying the major theme, comparing what is finite and infinite. Also they can't be in people’s imaginary world without each other.
You make some very interesting points, Misake. I never thought about the finite and the infinite needing each other to exist, but I suppose you are right. It's this idea that brings about the sense of a cycle, that life moves through both finite and infinite stages. I believe Martel made this such a major theme in the novel because Pi is born Hindu. Though he practices many different religions, he has a very Hindu outlook on life. The idea that the infinite and finite are dependent on each other and passing through a continuous cycle is exemplified in the quest for all people on earth. Everyone lives finite lives in an infinite loop, as is the case with reincarnation, until they have become one with the infinite, or the Brahman, both finite and infinite.
In a few seconds you'll be aboard and we'll be together. Wait a second. Together? We'll be together? Have I gone Mad? (99) I like this line because it shows Pi's transition from irrational to rational thought. Upon seeing Richard, Pi acts irrationally and immediately wishes to give a helping hand. Pi then transitions to rational thought and realizes the danger of Richard. This line shows that acting irrationally is impossible when trying to survive. Everything mus be rational, precise, and must be focused on what's truly important in a survival situation. yourself.
"For the evil is but evil from within that has been let out. The main battlefield for good is not the open ground of the public arena but the small clearing of each heart" (71).
ReplyDeleteThis is the quote we read right before Pi talks to his parents about his wish of being baptized. I see it as being a pep talk to himself, because he is gathering the courage to bring up the sensitive topic of religion in this very conservative house. It is so conservative that the family feels embarrassed and uncomfortable talking about such views. This comes up a lot in these pages. First was when the priest, imam, and the pandit were at the zoo and arguing over Pi's religious views, and his father walks away saying, "Who wants ice cream?" He is just trying to leave the crowd and change the subject. You see this cry of help coming from the mother too. On pages 72 and 73, Pi continued to gather up his courage and asked to be baptized, only to be pushed away, yet again, by his father and onto his mother. We see that Pi's mom feels the same unsteadiness that her husband does about their sons religious practices when he asks her the same question and she goes on to ask him if he has read Robinson Crusoe. Both her and her husband are only accepting what they wish to see and hear, but that is not the reality nor the truth.
My favorite passage thus far would have to be on page 53 where Pi is relating the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to absolve the sins of man to the zoo. He relates humans to the lions, who have been killing off other animals in the zoo, or “sinning”. Pi’s father, who Pi relates to God, tells Pi that the only way to absolve the lions of their sins if Pi, comparing himself to Jesus Christ, is fed to the lions. I liked this passage so much because I have often felt the same way. I went to a Catholic school, and every time I tried to puzzle out the story of Christ’s sacrifice or point out the obvious flaws in logic I was promptly hushed up. It was frustrating; how could people not see through the flimsy story? What a weak basis for such an enormous religion! It was with this that I concluded that religion was completely irrational and drove perfectly reasonable people to the realm of insanity. This story perfectly exemplifies that, and to this day, I still have not gotten a solid response as to how this makes any sense. But I suppose that’s the point of religion—it doesn’t make sense.
ReplyDelete"Whatever the reason for wanting to escape, sane or insane, zoo detractors should realize that animals don't escape to somewhere but from something" (41).
ReplyDeleteI love this quote because it is describes animal nature so well. Not only that, but it describes human nature perfectly too. The question is what does this have to do with the book? I believe that religion is Pi's escape from the real world, from the finite. Pi is escaping from the finite to the infinite, a realm of endless possibilities. Religion does this for everyone, but it takes a certain kind of person to realize this, and Pi learns it at an early age through his experiences with the zoo.
I also agree that this quote describes animals very well.
DeletePi does the same thing as the animals. Pi could sit on the lifeboat alone for weeks (disregarding food and water as limited), but in his mind, he could not stay there with a tiger. Pi had to "escape" the tiger, because the tiger was in his territory. The lifeboat was supposed to be Pi's, but some of the other zoo animals invaded his territory (the lifeboat). Pi is escaping Richard Parker, but also the finite. The life boat is the finite and the ocean and horizon is the infinite. Pi is escaping the life boat to be on his makeshift raft, in the seemingly infinite Pacific Ocean. The life boat has walls, but his raft does not.
Billy Dunn
ReplyDelete4 November 2012
“A pearl of water appeared. I licked it off. I tuned the can and banged the opposite side of the top against the hook to make another hole. I worked like a fiend” (142). This is my favorite passage because Yann Martel made me feel like I was watching Pi trying to break open this can off water because he is so thirsty. Thirst is a very relatable aspect of life and often times we find ourselves running for water and feeling like we can’t go on without it. In my situation, it would mean going thirty minutes without water while at basketball practice; but three days--not even in my imagination can I simulate what three days without water would feel like. I do, however, know the feeling of being so close to something and wanting it that much more. Pi is taunted with the pearl of water and quickly licks it away. The agony of receiving just a single drop of water makes Pi want more just like when you are given something in a portion you crave more and more. Pi says he is working like a fiend, which translates to Satan or the devil, and in this moment Pi is working as hard as the devil for that drop of water. In a time when Pi is stranded in the middle of the ocean, god is absent and the devil has filled his place like the jealous counterpart he is. Pi hasn’t experienced the antagonistic side of religion yet, and in this moment of weakness Pi is overcome with emotion and would go to any means to get this water. Thirst is one of the most unbearable ways to suffer even Pi refers to Christ and his complaint of thirst “Christ on the Cross died of suffocation, but his only complaint was of thirst. If thirst can be so taxing that even God Incarnate complains about it, imagine the effect of a regular human… I have never known a worse physical hell than this putrid taste and pasty feeling in the mouth….Truly, but comparison, a tiger was nothing” (135). Pi talks about how he would rather face a hyena or the Pacific Ocean than a tiger, but finally the tiger has met his match: thirst. Pi has yet to face the devil and this experience is testing his will within religion. Holy Water is a powerful apparatus that has power over the devil, and he fears it more than anything. But in the absence of god the devil overpowers Pi and shows what the dark side of religion is really like when people are so close to death.
Billy I love this quote too! I like how you mentioned how close Pi is to something he wants and is constantly taunted with what he wants but in some kind of way can't have. For example, he's surrounded by so much water (the Pacific Ocean) yet he can't drink a drop of it. It was really interesting how you related this to religion- I never looked at this thirst in that aspect (until now). I also think you can relate his religious life before the shipwreck to the idea that Pi is taunted by something he desperately needs before he can acquire it. Pi was always very religious. Hinduism was the foundation of his religious beliefs. He wanted salvation, to be saved. He wanted a closer relationship with God. But he was still unsettled which is why he turned to Christianity and Islam in order to love God. The bickering between his three Gurus and skepticism of his parents loomed over him- taunting him in disapproving ways. In the end, the matter of choosing a religion was still present. He overcame adversity against his practices and finally found peace. This is so relatable to the fact that Pi wanted and needed water and fought internally and externally until he got what he wanted.
Delete"Things didn't turn out the way they were supposed to, but what can you do? You must take life the way it comes at you and make the best of it" (Martel 91). It is obvious that things did not go the way they were supposed to. Life comes at Pi in a way that I am sure he would have never imagined. The Patel family does not make it to Canada, and instead Pi is stuck on a lifeboat with a small group of animals, the most impacting one being an adult tiger. But Pi does what he has to do to survive, knowing well what would happen if he would fail to do so, and makes the best of what he has.
ReplyDeleteManny, I love this quote too! There are a bunch of quotes similar to this all over the place, but I think Martel is only one of a few who includes a question. I think Martel purposely frases it like this because life in general is a question. What will happen next? What do I do know? What's next for for me? I think Pi is also reflecting throughout his entire life. Even though Pi is no longer on the boat and has moved on, things can still go wrong. Pi has a family know, and there are definitely bumps in the road when you have to care for more people. This quote really can sum up the whole book as a question to what are you going to do now that everything you know has changed?
Delete"Life is so beautiful that death has fallen in love with it, a jealous, possessive love that grabs what it can. But life leaps over oblivion, losing only a thing or two of no importance, and gloom is but the passing shadow of a cloud"(6). This is my favorite passage of the book because of its flowing diction and the message that lies behind it. I like how Martel starts the sentence with life, because that is what happens in the real world: life before death. I think Martel is describing Pi's personality and life story in this passage. The passage shows how Pi always has a bright attitude, and that he is willing to make leap and face adversity or death. This passage represents Pi's life story when it mentions, "But life leaps over oblivion lightly, only losing a thing or two of little importance." That sentence shows how Pi has been through rough times and has lost his family, but despite that he kept his spirits as high as he could and leapt "over oblivion." The line: "gloom is but the passing shadow of a cloud" directly relates to Pi's time aboard the lifeboat. He is full of gloom and sadness because of the loss of his family and his dark future. With time though, the clouds pass and gloom goes with them, so if Pi survives long enough, he will be reunited with the light of life. This whole passage encompasses more than just Pi's life. I think it is Martel's way of saying, don't waste your life fearing death, because the light of life is so bright even death is jealous of it. Life is a gift: take it, and make the most out of it.
ReplyDeleteGood job, Jack. I really like your vocabulary and your writing flows really well. Just remember that Pi isn't sad all his life. He is only on the life boat for a certain period of time. Maybe you could connect more of his experiences on the boat and of him suffering specifically. Really great post in general.
DeleteYes, I agree totally with Jake. I also did the same line and I think that it is the best line in the book that we have read so far. Maybe for the "leaps oblivion" part that you wrote about you could add some examples of some obstacles that Pi had to "leap" and over come. The cloud that is also expressed in the passage is also referring to his "gloomy-nous" and how he his down in the dumps, but we all know that clouds don't stick around forever and that means that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Delete"If thirst can be so taxing that even God Incarnate complains about it imagine the effect on a regular human."(135).
ReplyDeleteI love this line so much because it made a statement about my religion that I never really thought a about. Jesus Christ was dying on the cross and had nails in his feet and hands and was wearing a crown of thorns but the one thing he complained about was his lack of water. Jesus Christ is the basis of Christianity he is part of the Holy trinity, and yet even he complained about lack of thirst. Know that I know this I am extremely frightened by the fact that if I ever died of dehydration the horrible pain both mental and physical it would toll on my body. That is what I like about this line and book is that it poses questions about my faith and others that I have never even imagined. I then pose this question or statement to my family and see if we can together we can understand this statement and ultimately becoming more knowledgeable about my faith and others.
I like this quote as well but I feel like Pi is becoming closer to god through his experience of the boat. Pi experiences this thirst and the suffering. Pi comes so close to death and I believe he survives because his faith is so strong. In the quote it says "imagine the effect on a regular human." Well Pi is that regular human who experiences this agonizing need for water. In a way, this makes Pi different from the regular human because he could survive such a journey. This showed to me that through his religion and faith Pi did the unimaginable. Personally I don't think I would have lasted two weeks, and I cannot imagine experiences how thirsty both Pi and Jesus were. This quote does question ones faith and this book answers it by saying most regular humans could not survive the need for thirst but Pi did because he is extraordinary.
Delete"All living things contain a measure of madness that moves them in strange, sometimes inexplicable ways. This madness can be saving; it is part and parcel of the ability to adapt. Without it, no species would survive" (41). There is quite a lot of adapting in "Life of Pi." Pi learns to adapt new religions into his life. Without his believes, Pi would not be where he was today and his experience on the boat might have been different. It is what we adapt and take in our life that makes us who we are. His parents adapted to his lifestyle as Muslim, Hindu, and Christian. This made it easier for Pi to follow his heart and beliefs. Pi learns to adapt to the critical conditions on the boat and the species that surrounds him. What he went through was quite maddening, but it was the lessons he learned previously that allowed him to adapt and survive. The connection that Pi and Richard Parker had on the boat is what allowed them to excel and survive as a team. This ability that living things have is extraordinary. I love this quote because it shows the amazing ability of nature.
ReplyDelete"I tell you, to be drunk on alcohol is disgraceful, but to be drunk on water is noble and ecstatic" (Martel 143).
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this quote because rarely is being drunk considered noble and ecstatic. When I first read this quote I laughed a little to myself. When you are so thirsty and you finally get that cup water so cold that the class is sweating, you get of sense of complete and total peace and happiness. This is exactly what I got from this sentence. Being able to picture a scene in a book is why I love to read. When I'm reading a book and I can feel what the characters are feeling, I can truly enjoy it. Water is one thing that everybody can truly agree on. We can all have different types of favorite food, but water is a common thing we all need to survive. I love how Martel uses drunk to show Pi's contentment now that he has water. "Drunk" primarily has a negative connotation to it, so the fact that he is so drunk on water and is elated, makes me smile a little because I can feel the weight fall off his shoulders as he drinks the water.
I loved this quote, too! I love how Martel is comparing being drunk on alcohol to being drunk on water. This quote shows that Pi is really enjoying his water, and that it is a good thing to be drunk on water. This quote also shows that Pi is getting a feeling of superiority because he says that it is noble to be drunk on water, so this refers to him being noble and like a king. I also think that this quote shows that Pi's confidence in himself has skyrocketed because of the reference to nobility. It shows that he is above others since he is drunk on water and that he can do anything.
Delete"With the very first rays of light it came alive in me: hope...Hope increased until it was like a song in my heart... Hope fed on hope" (119). I love this quote. To me, this quote means that once you have hope, it grows. Without his hope for a sunrise, Pi would not have had a hope for a future. Without a hope for a future, Pi would have given up and died. His hope for a future gave Pi hope that his family was still alive. A Sunrise, Orange Juice, a hyena, water, and food all gave Pi hope. I love the idea that anything can give you hope, and I love that hope can come in all different ways.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you are saying about Pi finding hope. But Pi continuously has hope and faith throughout the book, then loses it. For Pi hope is not what is keeping him alive, his zoology studies and the survival pack is. He knows about the animals enough to know how to control their mind and how to act around them. Another thing that I agree with is that hope can come in different ways. One way for Pi is through God and his religions. "The blackness would stir and eventually go away, and God would remain, a shining point of light in my heart. I would go on loving" (209). Pi's skills are what keeping him alive, it's his religion and faith in God is what's pushing him forward.
Delete"The finite within the infinite, the infinite within the finite"( Martel chapter 16).
ReplyDeleteThis happens when the author is talking about the Hindu faith, and how Pi was more than one religion. I think this quote explains all the rational/irrational differences in the book. The finite is something that one day will ends, and infinite is something that will never ends. It is the same story of seeing two things in different ways. We can not prove that something can lest forever, but we know that things ends. All this book is based in logical versus imaginative.
I think that this is also a metaphor for religion, because in religion (I know in Christianity and Hindu, and I think it's true for Muslims too), we believe that part of God (the Holy Ghost) is in us (the infinite within the finite), and that we are a part of God (the finite within the infinite). In Pi's religions, the belief is that without God, the humans would not exist, but also true is that without someone to believe in him (or them) God would not have anyone to matter to.
DeleteI think this quote is also meaning a life of birth and death explaining finite and infinite. An individual life is finite because someday it will die and never going to restart again. However, this rotation will not end. Birth and death will continue. Because a birth happens a death happens. And because of death happens birth happpens.
Delete"The presence of God is the finest of rewards" (79). When I first read this quote, I felt compassion and warmth in my heart. I do not know why I felt this way at first but as I started reading the book more and more, I realized why. This line sums up the days Pi spent with animals on the boat. How although he was nearly starving with vicious animals ready to attack and Richard Parker, he still thinks of God and feels his presence. People might think how can he think of God when he is near starvation and without water? The question has been answered in this quote. He feels that God's "presence" is something to be valued and although he was expressing his hunger on the boat, and the graphic scenes of the animals, he still felt comfort in His presence. One quote that shows the readers that he did not forget God was when he shouted "God preserve me!" No supplication was ever more passionate yet more gently carried by the breath" (177). Pi needed God's help, he needed to be protected, to find a sign. That is the second reason why he "values" God's presence. Pi did not starve, he found food, and water to quench his thirst. God did not leave him alone. That is why I think that this quote I chose above, not only does it sum up the journey on the boat, but also Pi's personality. He trusted God to show him a clue, and Pi found it. That is why it is my favorite quote.
ReplyDelete"The presence of God is the finest of rewards" (79). When I first read this quote, I felt compassion and warmth in my heart. I do not know why I felt this way at first but as I started reading the book more and more, I realized why.
DeleteThis line sums up the days Pi spent with animals on the boat as well as his whole life in general.
How although he was nearly starving with vicious animals ready to attack and Richard Parker, he still thinks of God and feels his presence. People might wonder how can he think of God when he is near starvation and without water. The question has been answered in this quote. He feels that God's "presence" is something to be valued and although he was expressing his hunger on the boat, and the graphic scenes of the animals, he still felt comfort in His presence. One quote that shows the readers that he did not forget God was when he shouted "God preserve me!" No supplication was ever more passionate yet more gently carried by the breath" (177). Pi needed God's help, he needed to be protected, to find a sign. That is the second reason why he "values" God's presence. Pi did not starve, he found food, and water to quench his thirst. God did not leave him alone. That is why I think that this quote I chose above, not only does it sum up the journey on the boat, but also Pi's personality. He trusted God to show him a clue, and Pi found it. That is why it is my favorite quote. As Pi said on page 264,"God would remain, a shining point of light in [his] heart. [He] would go on loving." Pi will never give up on God nor God will give up on him.
“I must say a word about fear. It is life’s only true component. Only fear can defeat life” (161). This passage clearly states a key component while Pi is on the life boat that his main emotion is fear. Pi is sad and lonesome; however, he does still have Richard Parker. A few chapters later we come to terms with the fact Richard Parker the tiger is trying to befriend Pi with his quiet “Prusten” tiger call. Up until that point, Pi had been living in fear: fear of being the last prey on the ship for Richard Parker to feast on, fear of never seeing land again, and fear of running out of rations and water. Pi is left in disbelief and doubt he will ever be saved, and this only leads to anxiety. While fear eats away at Pi, anxiety can only weaken his mind and hope to push through. Hope is all Pi has left while he is out at sea. He practices three religions: Hinduism, Islamic, and Christianity. Now I am left wonder in the past few days he has been lost out at sea he has not mentioned or referred back to God once. Since religion is such a large factor in Pi’s lifestyle, why hasn’t he prayed to god or asked for hope and to push through this horrible tragedy. My question I am left to remain skeptical about is which religion will be the relying factor, which one will he choose, if one at all?
ReplyDeleteAmy, I like your take on fear and how Pi battles with these fears of being stranded with an enormous tiger that could attack at any moment. Although, I will refer back to your line " Now I am left to wonder in the past few days he has been lost out at sea, and he has not mentioned or referred back to God once" (Amy Cory). That sentence made me think. Sorry to correct you, but yes, Pi did refer back to God, Allah, Virgin Mary, and Vishnu, but only in moments of fear. I just now realized that now thanks to your post. "Vishnu preserve me, Allah protect me, Christ save me, I can't bear it!" (Martel 98). This is the first time he has mentioned God(or God-like figures since his abandonment: when the boat was crashing and he was fearful. Pi, yet again calls out to the God figures of his religions when he sees Orange Juice dead, " She looked like a simian Christ on the Cross" (Martel 132). Also, Pi calls out to God when he is horrified of seeing Richard Parker right underneath him. "God preserve me!' No supplication was ever more passionate yet more gently carried by the breath" (Martel 140). I think Martel is trying to say that as humans, we use religion as an aid in times of distressed fear and anxiety rather than a form of reverence to higher powers. Throughout the book, Martel is using Pi as an example of all the different ways people can see religion and the world around them, and he uses fear as a variable to show true character of Pi.
Delete"Her arms spread wide open and her short legs were folded together and slightly turned to one side. She looked like a simian Christ on the Cross" (132).
ReplyDeleteI believe this quote is significant because Pi's two passions are displayed with the image Yan Martel paints. Pi respected this orangutan as he respected Jesus. Orange Juice could have put up a fight with the hyena if Orange Juice wanted to. She gave her life up for something or someone else. Orange Juice knew that if the hyena didn't eat her, it could have eaten Pi, or another animal. Jesus also died for other people. I think that Orange Juice and Pi both had something in common they had to fear, and something in common they wanted. Orange Juice let the hyena kill her because considered Pi as a greater being, and it was out of respect that she would sacrifice herself for Pi. In the beginning of the novel, Pi says that animals, including humans, have a certain class system, and the lower class animal will protect the higher class animals if he can. The Orangutan could have sacrificed herself knowing that others will benefit from her death. The greatest gift of all is risking or taking your life for the sake of another, hoping for a better future. When Jesus died, he gave amnesty to the people’s sins; when Orange Juice died, he gave hope to Pi because the hyena will surely be full after eating an orangutan and a zebra.
“The reason death sticks so closely to life isn’t biological necessity it’s envy. Life is so beautiful that death has fallen in love with it, a jealous, possessive love that grabs at what it can. But life leaps over oblivion lightly, losing only a thing or two of no importance, and gloom is but the passing shadow of a cloud” (Martel 6).
ReplyDeleteThis quote is my favorite sentence that Martel has written so far. I like how it flows and jumps out at you as a simile should. Martel talks about life and then death which are two opposites, but come together as opposites that attract. “Life is so beautiful that death has fallen in love with it, a jealous, possessive love that grabs at what it can.” He is referring to life and death as two beings with an emotional connection of love and jealousy toward each other, when really they are just stages in existence that all living being have to go through. Death had envy towards life because it gets to experience what the being does through its life and then death comes abruptly and ends it: “Life leaps over oblivion lightly, losing only a thing or two of no importance.” Pi has had to leap over obstacles and unknowns in life and take a chance at what may come. In the meantime losing his family and leaving his country and friends back at home to start a new beginning in his day to day changing life: “Gloom is but the passing shadow of a cloud.” he is telling the reader that yes Pi does get depressed and sad at time, but there is always a break in the cloud where the sun shines through and things start to change in a good way.
"Her arms spread wide open and her short legs were folded together and slightly turned to one side. She looked like a simian Christ on the Cross" (132).
ReplyDeleteI believe this quote is significant because Pi's two passions are displayed with the image Yan Martel paints. Pi respected this orangutan as he respected Jesus. Orange Juice could have put up a fight with the hyena if Orange Juice wanted to. She gave her life up for something or someone else. Orange Juice knew that if the hyena didn't eat her, it could have eaten Pi, or another animal. Jesus also died for other people. I think that Orange Juice and Pi both had something in common they had to fear, and something in common they wanted. Orange Juice let the hyena kill her because she considered Pi as a greater being, and it was out of respect that she would sacrifice herself for Pi. In the beginning of the novel, Pi says that animals, including humans, have a certain class system, and the lower class animal will protect the higher class animals if he can. The Orangutan could have sacrificed herself knowing that others will benefit from her death. When Jesus died, he gave amnesty to the people’s sins; when Orange Juice died, he gave hope to Pi because the hyena will surely be full after eating an orangutan and a zebra. The greatest gift of all time is risking or taking your life for the sake of another, hoping for a better future.
Quentin Jones
ReplyDeleteMrs. Gahan
World Literature
December 4, 2012
"1 God" (Martel, 146).
This quote really speaks to me because this quote is taken from the list of things on the boat. The mere fact that Pi included God on his list tells us a lot about Pi's situation, one main observation is that Pi still has faith. We read so much about when faced with death, many people discard their faith, humanity, and hope. Pi has lost more than we can imagine, his family, his country, many of his beloved animals, but yet he refuses to lose God. Pi's devotion to god, in such a trying time, no matter what you think about his beliefs of several religions, is amazing. When all else has been lost, Pi does not give up God. Pi's belief in God is also what saves him, God is what drives Pi. God gives Pi hope, and gives Pi a reason to live and keep fighting without losing his humanity or sanity.
Pi’s insert of “1 God” to the list, also help the reader understand Pi’s religious views. Pi believes in three different religions, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. Pi’s beliefs are hard to understand because Pi does not go into detail about his belief and how all three religions blend together for him. His List lets us know a big part of his worship. Thanks to his “1 God”, we can start to decode Pi’s religious beliefs. Pi believes in one God, which coincides with the Christian and Muslim beliefs, but falters from the Hindu belief. One God also lets us know that Pi worships one God, not all Christian, Muslim, and Hindu Gods together. Pi believes in one God that blends together all three religions teachings, beliefs, and rules.
The list is composed of objects on the boat, when Pi added God to his list, it means that God is with Pi. It is hard to determine if Pi is referring to his own belief in god, if god is inside him, if god is everywhere, or if god is next to him on the boat, but we do understand that God is with Pi. This is important because it lets us know that Pi’s God is with him constantly. God is close to Pi, and sees everything Pi does and say. God is close and will never leave even in the roughest times when it seems as if God is gone, God is there always watching.
Simran Nanda
ReplyDeleteDecember 4, 2012
"On this lifeboat, the wine of life was served in pale golden cans that fit nicely in the hand" (178). I love this quote because of the comparison between the two liquids. "The wine of life." Both drinks are greatly valued and are both considered a luxury- depending on the situation. As our world gets more accustomed to the abundance of drinking water it becomes less of a luxury. In our own simplistic reality, water is like a product that "everyone" uses and has access to. But wine, wine is always considered a luxury. Not everyone has it and it is expensive and adored. The way Martel compares it to wine gives the reader a reality check to how precious water really is. The description of a dehydrated Pi made me shudder. “I have never known a worse physical hell than this putrid taste in the mouth, this unbearable pressure at the back of the throat, this sensation that my blood was turning to a thick syrup that barely flowed” (170). I felt I could truly relate to this description yet the concept of dying of thirst was foreign to me. To be in Pi’s situation for even a day would drive me insane; surrounded by trillions of gallons of water, all of it undrinkable. That is like being given two hundred pieces of bread, all of it moldy in the same spot. This irony makes the novel seem like constant comparison, a never ending flow chart.
Simran, I agree with everything in your post, and I really liked this line too. You talked about how comparing water to wine shows how precious and valuable water really is. I think another way Martel showed this was describing how it was served in “golden” cans. Martel didn’t have to say what color the cans were, but he said they were golden. Gold, in terms of money, is the most valuable thing on Earth. Water, in terms of survival, is the most valuable thing someone can have. “He might last for weeks without food, but no animal, however mighty, can do without water for any extended period of time” (200). Water is essential to survival, even more so than food. It’s a precious and valuable commodity, just like gold.
Delete"This story has a happy ending" (Martel 93).
ReplyDeleteShort, sweet, and to the point. Martel's usage of short, gut-knawing sentneces punches the reader right in the gut when they least expect it. This simple sentence has so much meaning jam-packed into it. The reader can look at the sentence in two ways. He can look at it as a sweet and sincere sentence, and he can look at it as a solumn, get ready for the dark times ahead sentence. To me, this sentence means both, especially in different contexts. I love how Martel can have so much meaning in six words, and that has meaning to me.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete"There are always those who take it upon themselves to defend God, as if Ultimately Reality, as if the sustaining frame of existence, were something weak and helpless (Martel 70).
ReplyDeleteI love this quote because it is a great representation of how I feel about a lot of people. I never pass up the chance to protect God. It is significant to me because Pi is talking about how he feels about some people who's ultimate goal is to stand up for God and make sure people never bring his name down. Pi talks about how God needs to be protected on the inside and not as much on the outside.
Jack Scott
DeleteMs. Gahan
World Literature
December 4, 2012
“There are always those who take it upon themselves to defend God, as if Ultimately Reality, as if the sustaining frame of existence, were something weak and helpless (Martel 70).
I love this quote because it is a great representation of how I feel about many people. I never pass up the chance to protect God. It is significant to me because Pi is talking about how he feels about some people who's ultimate goal is to stand up for God and make sure people never bring his name down. Pi talks about how God needs to be protected on the inside and not as much on the outside. Pi is greatly influenced about the fact that people should direct their anger at themselves and not at God. This is also significant because Pi believes in Hinduism, Christianity, and Muslim. That means he believes in three different Gods.
Pi has the responsibility of standing up for all three of theGods that he worships and believes in.
This quote has a very strong effect on me. I know Pi is a very passionate believer in this as well.
Pi didn't really believe that God needed protection. He thought he was powerful enough to stand up for himself. Pi thought that protecting God was not needed. I can see where he is coming from because he thinks that he is the most powerful person or thing so he doesn't see the need to protect him.
Delete"Reason is my prophet" 28
ReplyDeleteThis line sums up the entire book (even if Martel thinks that honor should go to the meeting of the 2 Mr. Kumars). The entirety of the book is dedicated to the balance and imbalance of what is rational and what is irrational, what is reasonable and what is religious. In this sentence Mr. Kumar is expressing what I feel must be true for Pi as it is for me: that I believe because I find it to be the most logical and reasonable thing to do. Alot of the time people say that intelligent people can't be religious because they must know it isn't true. But I believe that religion and proven fact must go hand in hand, that there can not be one without the other. People say they don't have faith, or can't believe in God without "proof", but we believe most things people tell us without a question, regardless of whether they have proof or not. We assume that our history teachers are telling us the truth, and that the facts they make us memorize actually happened, though we doubt the reality of the Bible's historical accuracy because it is a thousand years older, but we have found turtle shells and oracle bones containing stories from ancient China, which are even older. Our science teachers teach us commonly accepted theories, which we know and noone doubts. How commonly accepted does a theory have to be to be considered true?
Martel was trying to convey that Pi's intelligence and religion go hand in hand, that if Pi was not religious, he would not understand the world as well as he does. And also that if he was not as smart as he is, he would not be able to think through three religions and let them live inside him harmoniously.
“Truly, by comparison, a tiger was nothing” (135) Pi uses this line to compare his thirst with the presence of the tiger. I like this quote because it shows how extreme his need for water is. To say that your thirst takes a higher reign over the presence of a wild, blood thirsty animal is pretty bold, and rightfully so. While reading, I envisioned myself in Pi’s place, wondering what I would do if I was in the same situation as he was, so details like this help to paint a picture of what it would be like.
ReplyDelete"Darkness? I was puzzled. I thought, Darkness is the last thing that religion is. Religion is light"(Martel 27). In the Life of Pi, religion is almost like a character in the book. Pi celebrates and worhsips a myriad of religions and saviors, but not everyone around him feels the same way. As Pi says, “religion is light” but to some people religion is considered darkness. He meets people on his journey such as agnostics and atheists, but their opinions are irrelevant to him because at the end of the day he knows what he believes in and he won't stop believing. I like this quote a lot because I believe very strongly in religion. I was raised to believe in Christ but went through a phase where I had lost my faith only then realizing how important it actually was to me. In my opinion, faith is so much more than worship and church, I feel as if my religion and god is always present with me. "'Religion will save us,' I said. Since when I could remember, religion had been very close to my heart" (Martel 27). Pi continuously discusses his passion for religion and the reason why I like this quote so much is because he includes the word, heart. He spoke of how his religion was in his heart and your heart and your mind are two completely different things. You can worship, attend services, and pray as much as you can, but if you don’t feel it in your heart, it’s almost like you’ve been wasting your time. It’s your own, personal relationship with your savior that matters most. Pi feels his religion. He worships but he can feel his religion in his heart and soul, which is so important. It’s religion that keeps you holding on to hope. “’Bapu Gandhi said, ‘All religions are true.’ I just want to love God,’” I blurted out, and looked down, red in the face” (Martel 69). All Pi wants to do is love his God and share that bond with him. I think Pi never lost his faith because he never stopped believing in the fact that his God would protect him. For example, on the boat with all those animals, he should’ve been the first meal! Pi was intelligent and was kept protected by his God throughout the entire book and that’s why I think religion is such an important aspect in Pi’s life. Throughout Pi’s life, religion was always his light and was forever implanted in his heart.
ReplyDeleteMaddie O’Leary
ReplyDeleteMrs.Gahan
World Literature
4 December 2012
"If we, citizens, do not support our artists, then we sacrifice our imagination on the altar of crude reality and we end up believing in nothing and having worthless dreams"(Martel XII). Reviewing the Authors note in class, I found myself annotating the text closely. Yann Martel's vocabulary and sentence structure is truly exquisite and this is a prime example of his great work. This is my favorite sentence in the novel so far because the reader can interpret their own idea of what the author was trying to explain. Also, I feel like Martel placed it at the end of his Authors Note because he felt it was important and meaningful.
In the beginning of the sentence, the words citizens and artists appear close to one another. I believe the author is insinuating that as citizens we need to aid the artists in creating excellent work. I feel as if Martel used the word artists, but it could be replaced with the word leader. Artists are the leaders of imagination in our world and we should appreciate them. If we as people don’t push ourselves to trust the leaders of the world, there will be nothing for us to believe in. Goals become unbearable to reach and overall life becomes more stressful. Supporting our president, teachers, and parents make dreams more achievable and in this case giving assistance to our artists they will help us with that.
I think that the placement of certain words in the sentence are supposed to be symbolic is some way. About midway through the sentence it says, “Then we sacrifice our imagination on the altar of crude reality…” Imagination relates to the artists while crude reality seems to be directed towards the citizens. We lose our imagination by being so caught up in reality.
Daniel Rolen
ReplyDeleteMrs. Gahan
World Literature
4 December 2012
“But when Richard Parker’s amber eyes met mine, the stare was intense, cold and unflinching, not flighty or friendly, and spoke of self-possession on the point of exploding with rage… Every hair on me was standing up, shrieking with fear” (Martel 152). This is my favorite quote because of what it describes; the extraordinary power that resigns within nature. It shows the power, cunning, and tranquility that resides within Richard Parker. It also demonstrates the futility of mankind. It shows that simple elegant power trumps the self-proclaimed superiority of man. It is showing on a smaller scale of how nature will always win. Dams will be built and nature will tear them to shreds; monuments will be built and be obliterated. Our attempt to control the earth is similar to that of ants trying to build mounds on playgrounds.
This quote also resonates with me because of its capability to capture the tiger through only one of its aspects. Martel’s use of the word “unflinching” gives me the greatest insight into the mind of Richard Parker. This single word describes Richard’s view on the boat. He is well aware of the fact that he is the alpha on the boat, and gives little to no disregard to Pi in any circumstance except for dietary one. He was able to clearly assert his dominance, without even a confrontation.
This quote not only shows the strength of Richard Parker, but it also shows Pi’s greatest weakness: his fear. Earlier in the novel Pi describes at lengths the great importance of having the animal with the trainer believe that its trainer is the alpha, and that it is below them. However, when the time comes for Pi to make the crucial opening stand, he cowers. While Pi shows no lack in resourcefulness, creativity, and intelligence, his Achilles Heel is fear. He allows for his fear to control him, as opposed to him controlling it. This inability to handle fear is something he must overcome if he is to survive.
"These people fail to realize that it is on the inside that God must be defended, not on the outside. They should direct their anger at themselves. For evil in the open is but evil from within that has been let out. The main battlefield for good is not the open ground of the public arena but the small clearing of each heart" (Martel 71).
ReplyDeleteThis quote really stood out to me when I was reading this chapter. Pi talked about people who did not defend a widow with leprosy,and the children who were living on the street, but the people defended God right away. Pi was trying to say that those people should defend God on the inside, not the outside. The people ignored the widow and kids on the street like they were not there, but when someone said the slightest thing about God they became defensive and angry. Pi was saying that the people should come to the children and widow's defense. I think he was also saying that God knows if you have Him inside of you, so you don't need to defend Him on the outside. They should do good deeds for others and come to their defense. Pi said,"There are always those who take it upon themselves to defend God, as if Ultimate Reality, as if the sustaining frame of existence, were something weak and helpless" (Martel 70). People were defending God like he was a little child or old woman who was weak and helpless. They were defending God like they should have been defending the children and widow who ARE weak and helpless. God is powerful, not weak and helpless.
"These people fail to realize that it is on the inside that God must be defended, not on the outside" (71). This is so true and important in all religions. Many people believe that by defending God in a public place, they will automatically have a place in heaven, which is not true at all. It's the little things in religion in which make it so important. It's praying every day; it's doing the small and good deeds all the time (even when people don't appreciate it) because in the end it is between only you and God – no one else matters. You must love God from the inside. Some people think that they love Him, even though they really don't. They know that they would rather sleep in on a Sunday morning, rather than go to church or wouldn’t stop and take a small time out of their day to just say "Thank you" because we are all so lucky; it's the little things like that that make all the difference. If you are truly religious than you are the type of person who does good things while no one is watching you and while no one knows it was even you, you are humble; you don’t need people to see you doing it or praise from anyone, because knowing you did the right thing should make you feel better than any praise from anyone could do. You help people because it’s the right thing to do, not just because it will help you get into heaven. I liked this quote because it shows Pi has really figured it out. This quote is a big key in religion and not many people figure it out until they are much more mature. It shows Pi’s maturity as well as understanding of religion.
ReplyDeleteShawn, I agree with almost every point you made, and enjoyed what you said about doing the "small things" in religion. This quote shows that Pi believes in doing these small things and shows that Pi is true to his views in all religions. Another quote that I think could add to your post was further down on page 71 when Pi stated "The main battlefield for good is not the open ground of the public arena but the small clearing of each heart"(Martel 71). This quote adds to your argument when you talk about the small things in religion and how the most important things in religion are the things that go unseen. The things that are in "the small clearing of each heart".
Delete“If we as citizens do not support our artist, then we sacrifice our imagination on the altar of crude reality and we end up believing in nothing and having worthless dreams” (Martel XII).
ReplyDeleteI specifically love this quote in the Author’s Note in Life of Pi for it exhibits my perspective of life in a very simple, yet complex way. I believe that everyone should have the experience of making some form of art, whether it be written, played, drawn, painted or spoken, and that artists are the athletes of emotions and imagination in today’s world. They have the strength to break away from reality into their realms of imagination and dreams to create something new and hopefully inspiring for others. True artist are the ones who take the chance of pushing the envelope just to be heard in spite the fear that they may just be rejected. I believe that artists are the ones who alter their dreams into inspirations for future generations.
Being an actress for my school, I am constantly striving to be able to look within and make lines and scripts become truthful and relatable to myself and the audience. My teacher tells our class, that in order to have a viable piece of theater; we must use every ounce of our being and commit to the story so it makes sense to us the actors and the audience. It is an arduous task to take on as a fifteen year old girl, but I have grown so much as a person because of it. I believe what Martel is trying to say is that, in order for the world not to be a dark and scary place, we all must take the time not to look at the world as black and white, but look at it with all the shades in between. If we do not take the time to do so, we will never reach our full potential and our imagination will be limited and confined. The artists of yesterday are the inspiration for the dreams of our future.
Misaki Murase
ReplyDeleteDecember 4
"The finite within infinite, the infinite within the finite"(61).
The finite and the infinite is represented by the rational and irrational. The rational is reality and the infinite is religion. This quote is explaining the major theme of Life of Pi by Yann Martel.
When Pi was little and practicing swimming, the finite was the swimming pool and the infinite was the ocean.
When Pi is on the sea alone on the lifeboat, it is comparing the situation of what Pi is in and believing in god.
The conversation between Mr.Kumar and Mr.Kumar.
All the themes are comparing totally opposite infinite and finite.
Even though finite and infinite are opposite,finite and infinite are in the both space and they can't exixst without each other. They are part of the others.
Finite is in the infinite. People doesn't know what is outside of the world which represents infinite. Infinite is in the finite because if there is no infinite, finite won't exist.
This quote is saying the major theme, comparing what is finite and infinite. They can't live without each other.
Misaki Murase
DeleteDecember 4
"The finite within the infinite, the infinite within the finite"(61).
The finite and the infinite are represented by the rational and irrational. The finite is reality and the infinite is religion and God. This quote is explaining the major theme of Life of Pi by Yann Martel.
There are many examples that compare rational and irrational such as when Pi was little and practicing swimming, the finite was the swimming pool and the infinite was the ocean. When Pi was on the sea alone on the lifeboat, it is comparing the situation of what Pi is in and believing in god. Also when there was a conversation between the zoologist Mr.Kumar and Muslim mystic Mr.Kumar.
All the themes are comparing totally opposite infinite and finite.
Even though finite and infinite are opposite, finite and infinite are in the both space and they have to exist with each other. They are part of the others.
Finite is in the infinite. People don't know what is outside of the world like. And people also don’t know what is ultimate inside of the world such as quarks or higgs boson. Infinite is in the finite because if there is no infinite, finite won't exist. The idea of infinite is here because there is an idea of finite. Also the idea of finite is here because there is an idea infinite. If there is no end, obviously the word finite won’t come up but also infinite won’t exist because the fact of no end is natural. We know that there is an end; therefore, these two exist in human’s imagination.
This quote is saying the major theme, comparing what is finite and infinite. Also they can't be in people’s imaginary world without each other.
You make some very interesting points, Misake. I never thought about the finite and the infinite needing each other to exist, but I suppose you are right. It's this idea that brings about the sense of a cycle, that life moves through both finite and infinite stages. I believe Martel made this such a major theme in the novel because Pi is born Hindu. Though he practices many different religions, he has a very Hindu outlook on life. The idea that the infinite and finite are dependent on each other and passing through a continuous cycle is exemplified in the quest for all people on earth. Everyone lives finite lives in an infinite loop, as is the case with reincarnation, until they have become one with the infinite, or the Brahman, both finite and infinite.
DeleteIn a few seconds you'll be aboard and we'll be together. Wait a second. Together? We'll be together? Have I gone Mad? (99)
ReplyDeleteI like this line because it shows Pi's transition from irrational to rational thought. Upon seeing Richard, Pi acts irrationally and immediately wishes to give a helping hand. Pi then transitions to rational thought and realizes the danger of Richard. This line shows that acting irrationally is impossible when trying to survive. Everything mus be rational, precise, and must be focused on what's truly important in a survival situation. yourself.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete