Life of Pi Analysis
Life of Pi; Modern Bible Story
Yann Martel’s Life of Pi is short but moving. In the beginning, an elderly man states to Mr. Martel, “I have a story that will make you believe in God” (X). Like all good Bible stories, the main character is already dedicated to bringing himself closer to heavenly love. However, he goes through tests, much like the protagonists in most typical bible stories. In the end, it is through his tests that Pi’s devotion becomes clearer. While Pi is already devout in his spirituality and actively shows his devotion by practicing three different religions, the trials and suffering he goes through alone on the ocean bring him closer to God.
Pi shows his devotion to an all-powerful and loving being by practicing several religions. Pi does not see this as being contradictory to his devotion. Rather, he is looking for the deeper meaning of life, the purpose for man. For Pi, religion is not a duty one must perform to obtain an afterlife of leisure and plenty. Rather, for Pi, “Religion is light” (27). What better way is there to fill your life with light than to reach out to as many forms of it as possible? Pi is a seeker of ultimate truth. For Pi, this truth can only be realized through knowledge of God and a sense of meaning for his own life.
Pi begins as a Hindu, which as the religion of choice for the region and nationality he is born into, is not a surprise. However, in his quest to be closer to an all-encompassing love, he is drawn to Christianity. In his curiosity of the teachings of the bible, a religion that has the recurring answer of love to all questions of why is compelling. Not long after, Islam follows. Pi does not see practicing the three religions as contradictory to any of the three. After all, when confronted by the angry religious leaders of the three faiths, he responds with, “I just want to love God” (69). For Pi, reaching out to God with each new religion shows his love and desire for divine
Yann Martel’s Life of Pi is short but moving. In the beginning, an elderly man states to Mr. Martel, “I have a story that will make you believe in God” (X). Like all good Bible stories, the main character is already dedicated to bringing himself closer to heavenly love. However, he goes through tests, much like the protagonists in most typical bible stories. In the end, it is through his tests that Pi’s devotion becomes clearer. While Pi is already devout in his spirituality and actively shows his devotion by practicing three different religions, the trials and suffering he goes through alone on the ocean bring him closer to God.
Pi shows his devotion to an all-powerful and loving being by practicing several religions. Pi does not see this as being contradictory to his devotion. Rather, he is looking for the deeper meaning of life, the purpose for man. For Pi, religion is not a duty one must perform to obtain an afterlife of leisure and plenty. Rather, for Pi, “Religion is light” (27). What better way is there to fill your life with light than to reach out to as many forms of it as possible? Pi is a seeker of ultimate truth. For Pi, this truth can only be realized through knowledge of God and a sense of meaning for his own life.
Pi begins as a Hindu, which as the religion of choice for the region and nationality he is born into, is not a surprise. However, in his quest to be closer to an all-encompassing love, he is drawn to Christianity. In his curiosity of the teachings of the bible, a religion that has the recurring answer of love to all questions of why is compelling. Not long after, Islam follows. Pi does not see practicing the three religions as contradictory to any of the three. After all, when confronted by the angry religious leaders of the three faiths, he responds with, “I just want to love God” (69). For Pi, reaching out to God with each new religion shows his love and desire for divine