The Life of Pi 2

I find truth in the promise of the book; this indeed is a story that will make you believe in God. I, for the most part, was mystified by the presentation of the story. The inner thoughts of Pi were simply flowing as my own thoughts produce themselves within my own consciousness, and I had set sail on the Tsimtsum and consequently, I had sunk, but I had no raft or boat. I was consumed by Pi's Ocean, so much in fact that I was drowning. I didn't know how to describe the experience. Occasionally, I would become distracted during my reading; I would look around and say to myself, "How do I react to this?"

Yann Martel's


That proved to be a difficult question given that the Super Bowl had just started, and I gave Pi a rest for a while. I came back to my question with a slight euphemism. Pi is a loving being, and even though he's stranded in the ocean, he finds happiness in the little things around him such as Orange-Juice. Although "the hyena expertly got to her throat" within a few days of being stranded, Pi looked to her as a maternal figure. When she's fighting for her life, Pi recalls his memories as a child when Orange Juice's "never-ending arms [surrounded] him" (Martel, 163-4). His admiration of Orange Juice reveals another side of his loving being and the utter hopelessness he feels. He clings on, fighting for his life, surviving through hope.

This brings me to his connection with Richard Parker. I found myself amused by his plans, but I was moved by number 7. When he's training Richard Parker, he fancies himself as part of the main performance in "THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH" and brings the Bengal into submission with a simple whistle (Martel, 208), and right then, he forges his master-plan: "Plan 7: Keep Him Alive" (Martel, 209). In his stranded and hopeless state, Pi makes a connection with Parker and transforms his fear into his hope! That just made me say, "Absolutely Brilliant!" Then, I was distracted into the real world by my 'mum.' I told her that I was reading a book about a 'Desi' (A common term used by Indians to reference each other) boy. Then there started the religious train... From Laredo all the way back to Kolkatta!

Imagine This... On a Boat!


I felt Piscine had boarded this train with me as he makes a reference to a story that I was particularly fond of as a child. The story about the sage Markendeya. As a child, I never understood it. I felt that Pi was meant to explain this story for me. Markandeya is much like Pi, so I know that this was meant to be. Realize that Markandeya was destined to die at 16 (Pi's age), but it's his devotion to Shiva that saves him, and as a reader I know that Pi's story is one that will make me believe in God, so Pi like Markandeya will be saved through his (blind) faith! Is that even fathomable? Blind faith... To devote yourself completely and absolutely to someone (or something) else. Pi accepts this too! "And I could accept this. It was all right" (Martel, 223). He later admits that his conscious will to survive kicks in, but for a short instant, he is able to align himself with the energy of the cosmos, and that is true strength and power of Pi Patel.

This Book is Epic! Extra Class Participation?


Every chapter, every page, every line and every word in Martel's Life of Pi is an elaborate play designed to make the reader believe that there is a God. It's a humbling story and a troubling tale, but its power doesn't lie in it's words or the verity which they represent. No! The power of this books is derived from its reader who like me are bound to ask themselves, "How do I react to this?"

The Tsimtsum has sunk,
but I lie afloat, on a boat.
I wonder,
will I find hope like Pi?
Who knows if I will survive,
afloat on this boat.

Entirely for your Amusement...

This One's A Summary..