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Zoology And Religion In Yann Martel's Life Of Pi

1186 Words5 Pages

Martel (2002:19) quotes “I know zoos are no longer in people good graces. Religion faces the same problem. Certain illusions about freedom plague them both”. Through this quote the reader notice that there are aspects related between zoology and religion in Life of Pi. In the beginning of the novel we are introduced to zoology and religion. The author make it clear to the reader that Pi had majors in both subjects zoology and religion and later use that knowledge to help him do things one can say is impossible.
“Zoology is defined as the scientific study of animals (YourDictionary)”. Zoology has always been a very big factor throughout Pi’s childhood as he grew up with a father who ran a zoo. Pi was awarded for being the best student in zoology and because of his excellence and the knowledge he had about Zoology he was able to help his father in the zoo. Pi’s father realized that he Pi was interested in knowing a very dangerous wild animal called Richard Parker …show more content…

Yann Martel used thirst as an important element throughout the book. It is also linked to the tiger’s original name. Pi is not physical or mentally thirsty for water but rather for the spirit of God. Through Pi’s thirst for God’s spirit Yann Martel creates a link to the Bible and Pi as the savior, Christ died in a hard way but only complained about being thirsty. Yann Martel compares Christ’s suffering with the suffering of Pi on the lifeboat with no water. With that aspects being compared the reader can already estimate the future conditions that there will be a positive outcome of Pi’s tragic journey just like there was with Christ. Pi could not let his fear for the tiger stand in his way of being alive. If he would have allowed that, that would have caused him to get scared, lose his concentration and becoming vulnerable to the tiger. Deep down he knew there was a living God that will help and guide

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Sense after reading "life of Pi" Pi is a teenager born in India and at the same time believing in Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. His father runs a zoo, so he knows the habits of animals. Frankly speaking, the beginning of this story is not attractive, mixed with a religious belief in a teenager's growth experience. Then the story officially entered into the "fantasy draft". Pi family take boat to move to Canada with their animals, Pi's father wanted to bring the animals to a foreign country in order to sell a good price.

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Pi alludes to Cain after killing a living creature for the first time. In the Bible, Cain kills his brother, Abel, because of jealousy. In this passage, Pi is comparing his killing of the fish to Cain killing Abel. This allusion and comparison shows that Pi has very high morals. He believes that killing a fish is like killing a human being.

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This idea may be based off of the fact that he had to kill the fish in order to survive, and to keep Richard Parker (the tiger) alive as well. Following the time of killing the flying fish (which Pi uses as bait) he catches a dorado, and explains that the food he is catching is for Richard Parker. Pi states, “It was for Richard Parker and he would have dispatched it with expert ease” (Martel 89). Through a religious aspect, it can be seen that Pi did not necessarily change is values, but had to go against his morals because of the specific scenario of survival. This may be true; however, Pi directly mentions that he is changed from the time of killing the flying fish to taking the life away from a beautiful dorado.

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