Independent+Novel+Studies

= **Life of Pi** =
 * by Yann Martel**

**Journal Entry #1, December 2nd, 2011-pages 1-27**
The Life of Pi is a book that has interested me long before this project was assigned. It had been raved about and recommended to me by my mother's book-enthusiast friend. Since I have finished reading Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden, I have concluded that books narrated in the first person are my favorite. Or, in particular, books written in a way that make me feel like I am reading a journal are my favorite. Life of Pi is written in this way. This assignment was just the push that I needed to start a book I have been wanting to read for ages, and so far, I am enjoying it.
 * (1) Why did you select this novel?**

The novel begins with Pi Patel saying, "My suffering left me sad and gloomy." Though in these first 27 pages he has yet to talk about what he suffered with, he has mentioned his personal pains more than once, also mentioning that the more you suffer, the harder things later in life become, which is an interesting statement however I digress. He has mentioned immense suffering in his native town of Pondicherry, however not what caused him to suffer. He has moved from Pondicherry to Toronto, as well as obtained degrees in both Zoology and Religious Studies from the University of Toronto.
 * (3) What has happened before the novel began?**

I would describe this novel as being journal-esque, in the sense that the narrator, Pi Patel, is telling of his childhood in a fond and extremely descriptive way, however allowing it to flow effortlessly. Pi, the narrator, does jump around a lot from event to event, and it does require some re-reading of the preceding paragraph to fully comprehend why the sudden change in settings and problems occurs, however I enjoy a book that is a bit of a challenging read.
 * (11) Comment on the style of the novel. Is it easy or hard to follow the events? **

**Journal Entry #2, Decemeber 9th, 2011-pages 27-123**
The narrator, Pi Patel, is also the protagonist. It was written by Yann Martel to imitate a memoir, and he wrote it in what he believe's would be Pi's perspective. Martel had done extensive research on Pi's life prior to writing the novel, in order to achieve the most accurate depiction on Piscine Patel's life.
 * (5) Who is telling the story?**

Though Pi has faced many adversities, on top of constant inner turmoil and grief due to immense loss and disappointment in his, but the first problem introduced to the reader is his conflict with religion. Pi is a very spiritual person, and he was even independently so at the young age of 14. Though raised a Hindu, he was curious about other religions, and added Christianity to Hindu and practiced them both. He started practicing Islam at the age of 16, and felt passionate and dedicated to all three religions. Shortly after, a Hindu pandit, an Islam imam and the Christian priest had organized a religious intervention, if you will, telling him that he must choose only one religion to practice. However, after extensive argument, Pi won the fight and continued to practice all three religions.
 * (7) What is the initial or faced by the main character?**

The Life of Pi is a novel aimed at adults, as mentioned by Margaret Atwood in her praise for it in The Sunday Times. I believe it was aimed at adults due to the maturity and advanced writing of the novel, there haven't been any wildly inappropriate passages or horribly gruesome descriptions thus far. Though I am not an adult, I feel that I am sil able to enjoy the book, and I think other people my age, provided they are initially interested, would also enjoy the mature, challenging read.
 * (13) To what age group is the novel aimed? Support your answer with evidence.**

**Journal Entry #3, December 15th, 2011-pages 123-150**
**(8) H** **ow does the author get you to read on or hold your interest?** Yann Martel doesn't use suspense to hold on to his readers, he uses emotion and passionate verses to encourage readers to continue reading. I find myself wanting to continue reading not because I must know what happens next, but because I feel as if I am sitting, listening to a story being expertly told by Pi Patel. The passion and raw truth in the writing are the reason for wanting to continue reading. Also, with emotion, nothing becomes boring in the novel and I have never been tempted to skip over pages or paragraphs.

The language in the novel is elevated and artful, but in my opinion it isn't difficult to understand. e.g., "Alas. there was no scripture in the lifeboat. I was a disconsolate Arjuna in a battered chariot with the benefit of Krishna's words." Personally, I feel the above excerpt is not difficult to understand the meaning of, but it is very elevated and sophisticated.
 * (12) Is the language in the novel difficult or easy? GIve examples and explain.**

The Life of Pi is very believable in the sense that it captured Pi Patel's spirit, faith and emotion, however some of the events are heartbreakingly unbelievable. In the middle of the Pacific ocean on a lifeboat with a tiger? Losing your parents prior? They are sad and somewhat disturbing events that aren't commonly heard of, however the way in which it is written makes it real and, in my opinion, believable.
 * (20) Is the novel believable?**

Journal Entry #4, January 6th, 2012-pages 150-249
I regret not reading the author's intro to the book, because I was convinced that the passages in italics were written from another character's point of view, a character who would be introduced later on in the book. I was dead wrong. As it turns out, the passages in italics were written by Yann Martel in his perspective, because Life of Pi is based on a true story, it's just written by Yann Martel the way he would expect Pi to tell it. Moral of the story: Read the intros.
 * (2) What information did you need to know before reading the novel?**

Life of Pi started out with Pi Patel's passion for faith and religion, and how he felt that it was totally possible to be of multiple faiths. As the story evolves into Pi being stranded in the ocean with a tiger on board, Martel strays from the initial, black-and-white message of faith, and begins writing about how Pi applies his faith to near impossible situations. What seems to be months later, Pi is still eating turtle and sharks to stay alive. He has adapted. He enjoys a nice turtle eye for dessert, and considers the cartilage of the dorsal fin on the shark a crunchy treat. He has managed to remain 100% faithful to a God that would put him through torturous months at sea. I have concluded the theme to be about applied faith.
 * (14) Is there a message or main theme emerging in the book? How is it shown?**

Now, Richard Parker, the tiger on board the life boat with Pi, is slightly injured, and even his morale has declined. Pi speaks about the fact that the tiger is now injured, though nothing permanent as a severed limb or missing claw. I feel a change of emotion in the novel, almost as it Pi has evolved from a gentle man, concerned with nothing but faith, to a slightly more animalistic creature, crazed from seclusion and the plateau that is life on the lifeboat.
 * (9) What new things are added to the original problem as the novel progresses?**

Journal Entry #5, January 13th, 2012-pages 240-finish
The setting for the "main" part of the novel is in the ocean, somewhere in the pacific. I don't think the exact geographical location has any significant importance to the novel, however I believe the ocean is definitely important to the story. If Pi wasn't stranded in the ocean on a lifeboat, he would not have been forced to tame Richard Parker, the tiger, and the struggles for food wouldn't have been interesting to read. Less disgusting, definitely, but not nearly as unique and impactful. Also, without the ocean, he wouldn't have been able to be rescued as he was. Martel chose the setting wisely.
 * (6) What is the setting of the novel? Is the setting important or could the novel be happening anywhere? Why?**

Life of Pi met, maybe even surpassed, my expectations. I was expecting a more adrenaline-pumping, typical danger, perhaps a fantastical adventure involving the tiger a little more. The novel has proven to be more about an inner battle, with the demeanour of Pi being fearful, instead of savage. Though the novel was not what I had initially expected, the artful, descriptive writing of Canada's own, Yann Martel, had more impact then I had expected it to have. Barack Obama had publicized the common thought that it is "an elegant proof of God", however for personal reasons, I disagree. I preferred to look at the religious aspects of it as if it were a fantasy.
 * (22) Why did (or didn't) the novel meet your expectations?**

I would recommend Life of Pi to anyone; the writing is artful, the theme, powerful. Martel writes about religion in a way this is slightly biased, but in now way disrespectful on condescending to other beliefs. It may prove God's existence to you, or maybe abolish it. Life of Pi may help the fence-sitters jump the fence, and those who are anti-religious to include faith in their life. It is a novel that has an everlasting impact, and though a difficult read, Life of Pi is well worth the time of anyone emotionally prepared and mentally capable of reading it. I would recommend it because it was a book that one would display proudly on their shelves, amongst other books that Martel's 4th novel has inspired the reader to add to their repertoire. I intend to read Life of Pi at least once more, most likely years in the future when my perspective has changed. I think it was $23.52 well spent, as I intend to keep this book for years to come.
 * (21)** **Why would you (or why wouldn't you) recommend this novel to a friend?**

Focus Assignment

 * -My reaction-**

My reaction to the novel was one that I had to really think about. As I finished it, I wasn't exactly sure how I felt about it. I think I was most impressed with the way he spoke about religion, without making me feel like I was listening to my Catholic grandmother nag me about how I should go to church with her, or like I was reading an Enid Blyton book, in which I would be referred to as a "heathen". Another thing that I found amazing was how developed a character Pi was. It was almost as if I knew Pi, and could envision myself having a conversation with him. He is a very wise young person, which may seem like an oxymoron, however your opinion may change after reading this book. I felt the book held a sort of calming quality, and I often found myself feeling slightly more in touch with my opinions about religion after putting the book down. Though some of the book was peace-inducing, some passages were slightly disturbing. During Pi's 7 months at sea, he was forced into some repugnant things; I skipped over some paragraphs because I had no desire to subject myself to pages that would only put disturbing images in my head.

The book contained a limited amount of grotesque passages and no, as you, Mr Janzen, have put it, "bow-chicka-wow-wow" or alcohol and drugs etc. Despite the lack of things that would constitute your average, adult novel, I believe strongly that is, in fact, intended for adults. Though obviously I am not an adult, I was able to read and enjoy this book and take from it just as much as an adult reading it would. It's a book that requires some focus, but I think the average 15 year old and older would be able to understand this book thoroughly. That being said, I do know of some 12-and-13-year-olds who would definitely be able to read this book as an adult might, however, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who is too young to have formed their own opinion of religion. I say this because I don't think it would be fair to make them believe or not-believe based on one book and not a decision they made themselves.

Yann Martel executed his theme excellently and I intend to read more of his books. I am happy that I finally had an opportunity to read Life of Pi, as it is a book that I would recommend to anyone.

[|GLOGSTER]