Reading Response Posting #3

In the third section of four, the main character, Pi Patel, and the tiger he lives with continue their voyage over the Pacific Ocean. However not everything is going as smoothly as it had previously. Both Pi and Richard Parker, the Bengal tiger, are beginning to feel the effects of having no food or fresh water left. Starvation is quickly becoming the greatest conflict Pi must face, as he has successfully managed to overcome living with a man-eating monster of an animal.

Martel has fruitfully employed Georges Polti’s model for creating a character that has fallen prey to misfortune. This dramatic situation is evident in the fact that not only has Pi been shipwrecked, he has been placed on a lifeboat, alone, with a tiger, and he has begun to run out of his most important possessions, food and water. In addition to this he has been so close to being rescued he could taste it; an oil tanker floated right beside Pi, so he “fired off a rocket flare, but [he] aimed it poorly. Instead of surging over the bulwarks and exploding in the captain’s face, it ricocheted off the ship’s side and went straight into the Pacific” (261). Sadly though, the ship passed by Pi’s lifeboat without noticing him and it soon became a “speck on the horizon” (261).

The theme of survival has continued throughout this portion and the last, although it has been quite evident in this section as Pi has started to give up on surviving, “I had lost all fear of death, and I resolved to die” (268). He has also begun to start imaging things in his mind, “I knew it. I wasn’t hearing voices. I hadn’t gone mad. It was Richard Parker who was speaking to me! The carnivorous rascal” (273). On the contrary, he has “gone mad” and is now beginning to blur reality with his dreams.

Unfortunately for Pi, his hard luck has yet to let up as he has also gone blind, from starvation and exhaustion, and his shortly lived friend, with a French accent, has been eaten by Richard Parker. It is not looking good for Pi, as he seems to be on the verge of death. Fortunately for the reader though, Martel’s zest and loveable writing style are able to lift this dark subject into a puzzlingly upbeat and exciting to read novel. Martel is also able to create a sense of suspense, although not in the traditional form, that would leave anyone wanting to read more.

This book has continued to build, and is only creating more questions, instead of answering them. One could not help but wonder how Pi will manage to get out of his situation. Hopefully though, Martel will be able to do it as artfully as he has been doing, and one cannot help but think that Martel will not disappoint.

Reading Response Posting #2

Part two of “Life of Pi” begins with an exhilarating twist that changes everything for the main character, Pi. “The Ship sank. It made a sound like a monstrous metallic burp” (107). The ship sinking introduces a conflict, as well as a completely new theme. The main character must now face surviving on a life boat with a Bengal tiger, “with a tiger aboard, my life was over” (149). Additionally, Pi has lost his whole family, and everything he has ever known.

Pi must now face the conflicts of surviving on a lifeboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and he must also cope with living with a monstrous cat. Fortunately, Pi has started to train the tiger, known as Richard Parker due to a clerical error, and is beginning to feel safer on the boat. Furthermore, he has taught himself to fish, and to collect safe drinking water. This means that Pi has a much greater chance of surviving his ordeal, and thus overcoming both of his conflicts.

What’s more, there is an evident theme of survival emerging in this section of the book. In addition to the conflicts Pi must now confront, and survive, he must also survive long dreary days, and survive the constant intellectual strain. Plus, he must be proficient to survive with his sanity, because although “a person can get used to anything, even to killing” (205) it must be difficult for a lifelong vegetarian to cope with a diet almost purely of meat. Not to mention the drinking of turtle blood, and watching a tiger tear creatures apart, limb from limb.

This section of the book also does a good job of further developing Pi’s character. It is revealed that although at times it appeared he hated his family, he really did love them, and now misses them greatly. “To lose your father is to lose the one whose guidance you seek, who supports you like a tree trunk supports its branches” (141), and to lose your family and friends is to lose everything that you once lived for. In addition, Pi now appears, to the reader, to actually be very brave, and courageous. This is in contrast to how Pi used to act cowardly towards his brother.

This novel is shaping up to be a great read, full of excitement suspense and insight, and hopefully the plot develops further. The anticipation of another twist or turn that will reveal something more about Pi’s story is greatly building. With any luck, Martel will continue his magic and earn his acclaim.

Reading Response Posting #1

“I have a story that will make you believe in God” (VIII), it is a story that will excite you, it will scare you and it will surprise you. “Life of Pi” by Yann Martel gives a very interesting, and revealing, look into the life of a young Indian boy.

Piscine Molitor Patel, “Known to all as...Pi Patel” (24-25), is the son of a zookeeper, and a student of many religions. Pi lives in Pondicherry, India in a time of political oppression, “the mid-1970s were a troubled times in India” (86). As a result of such turmoil “Mrs. Gandhi finally got the best of [Pi’s] Father “(86) and the Patels’ decided to move out of the country, and into Toronto. Moreover, Pi is an intelligent and curious young man who is fascinated with animals, and can be somewhat cowardly when faced with the bullying of his schoolmates, or of his brother.

So far in this novel there has been a general display of the theme of serenity. Martel has described the childhood of a peaceful, happy boy, and apart from a few exceptions, the book has been very calm and peaceable. There has been no conflict, and not very much adventure, or exoticness. Instead it has remained relatable and serene.

I look forward to reading about Pi’s story, and learning exactly how this novel will develop into the book I have heard so lavishly described as a masterpiece.