Faith And Religion In Yann Martel's Life Of Pi

One of the central themes of Yann Martel’s life of Pi is centered around religion and faith in God. Yet, the book pointedly abstained from naming one of the three religions practiced by Pi, the main character, as morally superior to the others. Instead, it questions faith in religion. This theme is shown most clearly in Pi Patel, who devoutly follows three of the world’s main religions: Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity. Pi maintains shrines to Hindu gods, goes to church every Sunday, and does namaz five times a day on his prayer mat. By peacefully following these largely conflicting religions, Pi embodies the idea that different religions are all connected and intertwined.
The specifics in each religions are not important Pi. In his mind, …show more content…
The plot twist that seems impossible is what makes Pi’s story so incredible. The fact that he survives seven months drifting out in the middle of the ocean is remarkable itself; trying to survive with a Bengal tiger or happening upon a carnivorous, floating island pulls at the reader’s ability to contain their disbelief. The two Japanese representatives of the company that built the Tsimtsum embody the skeptical attitude towards Pi’s story, who at first refuse to believe the story with Richard Parker and the other animals. They argue that the story contradicts reality, and Pi states that they essentially want a boring, realistic, factual story. The second story fails to contradict reality, giving the two men hope that this is the real story. Pi signifies that regardless of which story is the better, or more realistic one, neither matter to finding out why the Tsimtsum sank. Thus, Pi ask the two men which really is the better story and they agree that the one with the animals is truly better, prompting Pi to add, “And so it goes with God.” (317) This is what faith is, Pi seems to say. Since the existence of God can never be proven, just like the facts of Pi’s journey across the Pacific can never be confirmed, the question isn’t a matter of reason but rather of …show more content…
The capacity for reasoning is compared against religious faith frequently, no mores so than when Pi is drifting through the Pacific ocean and his faith, not logic, that enables him to survive: “I was giving up. I would have given up – if a voice hadn't made itself heard in my heart. The voice said, ‘I will not die. I refuse it. I will make it through this nightmare. I will beat the odds, as great as they are. [...] The amazing will be seen every day. [...] Yes, so long as God is with me, I will not die. Amen.’” (148) Pi’s refusal to accept his fate allows for room for god to re-flourish, and his new-found faith comforts him even in the darkest of times, as evidenced by the quote, “It was natural that, bereft and desperate as I was, in the throes of unremitting suffering, I should turn to God.” (283-284). From the carnivorous algae island, “By the time morning came, my grim decision was taken. I preferred to set off and perish in search of my own kind than to live a lonely half-life of physical comfort and spiritual death on this murderous island,” (282-283) to when he goes blind and has a gruesome conversation with another blind castaway. In this way, Pi allows his faith to prevent or block his fears, regardless of which religion embodies that