Question 1 (chapters 1-9)

The narrator opens this story with an extensive discussion of the morality of zoos. How does his position differ from what you may consider to be politically correct? Is his argument good? Does he discuss the position of those who are not in favor of zoos? Qualify the author’s argument for the defense of zoos. Also, how has anthropomorphism caused problems for modern day zookeepers?

Question 2 (chapters 10-30)

What comfort does Piscine find from each of the religions individually, Islam, Christianity, and Hindu?

Question 3 (chapters 31-44)

Page 118. “Darkness came. There was no moon. Clouds hid the stars.” How does syntax here help to establish the mood.

Question 4 (chapters 45-55)

Page 151. The paragraph that begins, “I wish …” presents an incredibly fearful scene. Pi, afraid for his life, describes the elegance of the tiger. Discuss the author’s ability to create this unusual scene. How does he do it and yet keep the tension?

Question 5 (chapters 56-69)

In Chapter 63, Pi discusses the problem of timekeeping as a castaway. Then, in Chapter 64, paragraph 1, the third sentence he casually states, “For months I lived stark naked….” What effect does this have so soon after the statement of the timelessness? Why say “months” when he clearly has disassociated himself with time? How does the notion of timeless existence connect with this spiritual side?

Question 6 (chapters 70-89)

In relation to the thunderstorm and their individual reactions, what’s the irony in chapter 85?

Question 7 (chapters 90-91)

Existentialism can be boiled down to a way of looking at the world as a composite of absurdities. It also (viewed by many) as a bleak outlook of life in response to the alienation and despair of modern people. (Look at things in life that we so often cannot explain their occurrence. Look at Life of Pi and how many absurd things happen in the book. Many view these absurd events with despair; others view them as a part of the human experience.) Existentialism says that we are born of nothingness and that we leave this world as nothing, if we do not find our meaning. The smallest, most absurd, even basic, actions are leading us to our meaning.

Beliefs of existentialism?
* Associated with anxiety, dread, awareness of death, freedom.
* Emphasizes action, freedom, decision as fundamental to existence
* Argues against definitions of humans as rational, knowing beings for whom action can be regulated by rationale.
* Views human beings as subjects in an indifferent, objective, ambiguous, "absurd" universe in which meaning is not provided, but can be created, however provisionally and unstably, by human beings' actions and interpretations. Man exists before existence has meaning. (Wikipedia)

What do you notice that is existentialist (look at the beliefs above)?

For a reading of another Existentialist piece of literature many of us are familiar with: read Winnie the Pooh to explore these beliefs. For me, this helped me understand existentialism. It will be interesting to discuss this in relationship to Pi. http://www.vanwensveen.nl/rants/deepthought/pooh.html

Question 8 (chapters 93-100)

Pi’s story from pages 303-311 is a disturbing, traumatic account of a violent journey with human characters taking the place of animals. Discuss the author’s spiritual growth in relation to his “possibly” fabricated story. What does the author, Yann Martel, want you to believe? Argue your position.