Indepentent+Novel+Study

media type="custom" key="12108515" __ Life of Pi __ __ Yann Martel __ Part 1, Pages 1-107  1. Who is telling the story? How does this person’s perspective effect the way the story is told? The main character tells the story. His name is Piscine (Pea-seen) Molitor Patel, after a swimming pool in Paris. The story drifts like a raft through his mind, slowing down to illustrate important points of his childhood, and the events that shaped his adult life. Having the story told in memories creates an emotional bond, as well as giving us a perspective of a young Indian boy.

2. What is the initial or first problem faced by the main character? The first problem for Pi, is probably his nickname when he was at the age of 12, attending St. Joseph’s School. The name Piscine is a unique name, and people began to make fun of him, calling him Pissing. The name became so widely used, the teachers even began to call him it. After Piscine moved into a new school, he was determined for the name to die. When the teacher asked for his name, he stood up and wrote on the board, “ My name is Piscine Molitor Patel, known to all as __Pi__ Patel.” After repeating this in every class the name Ignited and soon his name was solidified as Pi Patel.

3. Is the novel believable? The novel is written in a narrative, as if someone was explaining their life and memories. This makes the novel entirely believable. So far the novel isn’t unrealistic in the slightist.

Part 2, Pages 107-? 1. Why did you select this novel? When I was choosing my novel i looked for three things, something I hadn't read, something I had heard good things about, and something that looked captivating. Life of Pi fit all of those and it had a tiger on it. 2. What is the setting of the novel? Is the setting important or could the novel be happening anywhere? Why? In part 2 the main setting is on a life raft. Because of the element of survival is so important, as well as the close compact quarters with the surviving animals. The sea is a perfect setting because it's so open, yet simultaineously claustriphobic. 3. Is there a message or main theme emerging in the book? How is it shown? It seems right now that the theme is religion, and coexistence. In Part 1 Pi tried to become a Christen, Hindu, and Muslim, when questions, he says, I just want to love god. Coexistence is also vital in part 2, when Pi must coexist with the animals on the ships. How a boy can survive with a Giant hungry tiger I have absoloutley no idea. But I think that the messege that that conveys is however improbable it may seem, anything is possible, and there will always be hope.

Part 3, Pages. 1. What information did you need to know before reading the novel? I was recently invited to a Hindu temple, I went, and learned a lot about the Hindu religion. Religion in general is a main topic and theme in life of Pi, and with Pi growing up in India, many allusions to Hinduism are made. I now understand names mentioned, religious beliefs and even some of the foods Pi frequently mentions. I also feel that if I didn't know the fundamental parts of Christianity, that the book would lack even more meaning than it did previously. 2. Comment on the style of the novel. Is it easy or hard to follow the events? The book, in my opinion, is amazingly written. The story follows one basic plot, however, with flashbacks and information laced throughout that help the reader to understand and make the story sound like a retelling of a great legend. Sometimes, due to all the distraction, repetition, and confusing events, I can get lost, but I understand most of it and am enjoying it immensely 3. To what age group is the novel aimed? Support your answer with evidence. I think that this novel is mostly intended for adults and young adults. It is quite a complicate novel with many allusions that I think most people would be confused by. I also think that it would be hard for most teens to interpret some of the symbols. Some of the content within the novel is frightening and horrible. for example, the hyena eating the zebra alive, or Richard Parker, mauling the Castaway that Pi meets while he is blind. It is a challenging novel, but I am glad I chose it.

Part 4. Pages. 1. What plot twists or unexpected events happen as the novel goes on? One of the most interesting parts of the Novel for me, was when Pi stumbles onto an Island made entirely of algae. the Island is large and very odd. After Pi trains himself to walk again, he goes into the middle of the island, where he finds thousands, even millions of meerkats. The meerkats survive on the island by eating dead fish, that rise up into deep ponds of water. Pi realizes that the island is free-floating, and as fish swim under it the island creates freshwater, killing the saltwater fish. at my current location, Pi is going to sleep on the island, in a tree with all of the meerkats. 2. Why would you (or why wouldn't you) recommend this novel to a friend? I think it would really depend on the friend. Life of Pi is one of the best books I have ever read, but it's also quite vivid, violent and dark. Because quite a few of my friends have given up meat and animal products, to them, it would be unbearable. The person would have to be intelligent, curious and able to appreciate it. 3. What new things are added to the original problem as the novel progresses? The main problem, i would guess is the fact that he is trapped on a bout in the middle of the ocean with little amounts of resources, also a tiger. As the novel progresses he begins to experience things like storms and starvation. and not only him, Richard Parker too. one of the problems he faces most is accessing the stash of supplies, which lies within the RP's domain. Soon he decides to train Richard parker. He uses a whistle and seasickness to make Richard Parker associate whistle with bad feelings and vomitting. another problem, is when he goes blind. After he steps onto Pi's ;life boat, and RP eats him. After that, Pi regains his eyesight.

Part 5 Pages. 1. How does the author get you to read on or hold your interests? Yann Martel makes sure that the novel is always entertaining and enjoyable. The constant threat of death an pains of survival causes a tension that hooks the reader. I found that when I was reading the novel, at a certain point it became difficult to put down. Life of Pi a bittersweet dance of life and death, pain and happiness, hope and desperation. When you look at the percentage of the novel which is just him floating on the water you would think t would be a boring book, however, Yann Martel creates little small side stories like PI reaching the Island, or training RP. 2. How are the major or minor conflicts fixed Pi solves his conflicts in a variety of different ways. He is curious and courageous and works with a combination of science and belief. For example when he stumbles upon the floating island, he investigates and slowly trains himself to be able to walk again. He also investigates the fruit and when he realizes what the island does, slowly but surely, then he leaves at once. 3. Is the language in the novel difficult or easy? Give examples and explain. Yann Martel is a fantastic author, and because he writes for an older audience his vocabulary is quite varied. He use scientific and complex words without hesitation.