On Life of Pi novel...?

Question

Religion is heavily discussed in this novel. What might be the message about religion that this novel is trying to make?

Answer 1

Pi is a unique character in that he follows three faiths: Muslim, Christianity and Islam. The tiger is a Muslim symbol, but Richard Parker doesn't know that, he'd just assume eat Pi. The sea/fish is a Christian symbol, but unless Pi gathers food and drinkable water, no one is going to feed him. Green is an Islamic color, but the algae island Pi lands on is carnivorous.

In each case, Martel seems to be suggesting the dangers of relying totally on religion. Pi strikes a balance drawing on his faith and personal action. In turn, he gains wisdom and discipline and is rewarded with companionship (as much as a tiger can offer) and food.

At the end of the story, we are given a choice whether to believe Pi's tale, (an act of faith) or write it off (atheism). We are also asked which story we like better...the one we've read, or a more barbaric one involving other ship survivors.

Answer 2

I read and enjoyed this novel some three years ago. As for the religion discussion in the book, I think the author would like to send his 'message' that even though we're in real trouble like Pi in the high seas with a tiger in a boat like that, some might think no religion couldn't help you substantially. I mean there should be a superman (in a novel again) or some scientific ways of detecting his boat and save him instead of praying for a miracle related to his religion. Rather, If I remember correctly, he persisted on his fate with some faith left, he might have cursed something and we readers sympathized with him for such an ordeal. Psychologically speaking, it's his ways of letting the steam out and in the end he survived.

Answer 3

I read this book so long ago, I am not sure I remember it exactly, and I don't think I can help, because I didn't read it for a religious message. When I finished the book, I felt that there was more than two sides to the story. It seemed that there was all animals in the boat, or all people, but I rejected both of these ideas, because with no nourishment there is delusion, and his account count can not be believed on any level. Not to say that he didn't experience what he did,or that he might be telling an account falsely because of a hallucination truly felt, but without support from someone or something it is left up to the imagination. Sorry for little help!

Answer 4

i've got not study it, yet from what i've got learn it, "existence of Pi" is a ought to-study. Afterall it did win the 2002 Booker Prize, and the author, Yann Martel, is an smart and imaginitive author. I study certainly one of his different books "Self" as his own autobiography, until halfway by way of, as quickly as I realised it became fiction. Michelle Hussain of BBC channe's "Hardtalk extra" interviewed Martel approximately his fulfillment stemming from his hardwork and decision loads of those years, and became needless to say inspired by way of "existence of Pi".