The Life of Pi Essay Example

The Life of Pi Essay Example The Life of Pi Paper The Life of Pi Paper which illustrates the Old mans frustration linked with loneliness as In the first forty days the boy had been with him, demonstrating the old mans first compassion for the boy. Compassion for objects of nature is a clear comparison between both Pi and Santiagos attributes, with Pi seen strongly linked to religion as a form of companionship. The reader identifies Pis affliction for nature using extensive description of the sloth, Sleepiness and slothfulness and seeing everything in a Mango-like blur expresses Pis detailed observation using alliteration and metaphor to attract the attention of the reader to the simplicity of the sloth. Pis love for nature is immediately compared with his interest in religion as his religious studies on the cosmogony theory of Isaac Luria is an important motif as this foreshadows the sinking of the Tsimtsum as the theory explains the contraction of the universe. Religion is viewed in this novel as a form of companionship, as Pi finds friendship and kindness in his religious ideologies that play a significant part in his survival. As the reader can identify Pis exclusion from society as a young boy, Pis religious exploration into Hinduism, Christianity and Islam can be seen as stories which spread the teachings of a faith, but to offer comfort in Pis challenge of social acceptability. Pis exclusion is presented with humour, but the reader can sense the empathetic tone as, Its Pissing Patel! The sound would disappear, but the hurt would linger the cruelty of children comes as news to no one unprovoked uncalled for. The author has linked childhood exclusion to enforce religious importance to the character, which is in contrast to The Old Man and the Sea as he is excluded in adult life. Santiago is seen in the first part of the novella to be ostracized from society as many of the fisherman made fun of the old man, but the author expresses the bond between Manolin and Santiago as a companionship, which is expressed through dialogue. Hemmingway has used dialogue between these characters to further portray their emotional bond, revealing their relationship with paternal qualities, The old man had taught the boy to fish and the boy loved him. Manolin wants to help Santiago to get sardines and to offer him a beer on the Terrace, expressing Manolins devotion to the Old man against his fathers wishes for him to fish on another boat. The reader recognises conflict in that Manolins parents had told him that the old man was now definitely and finally Salao, illustrating the strength of relationship and companionship between both characters. Hemmingway uses Salao to establish the Latin American influence and setting of the novella. This is used repeatedly throughout the novel to furthermore establish the culture from which this fishing tale is set. In contrast Pi can be seen to have a strong relationship with his father, with clear admiration in that his father is a zoo keeper, linking his affliction for animals and nature. The zoo is a symbol of freedom for Pi, a place in which his problems could be forgotten as the author uses language to create a place of tranquility, with the reader identifying Pis personal relationship with the animals as he, left for school under the benevolent gaze not only of his mother but also of bright -eyed otters and burly American bison and stretching and yawning orang-utans. This conveys a level of friendship with nature, as personification is used to create a sense of youthful observation which echoes Pis relationship with Richard Parker. Furthermore Martel makes use of vivid imagery to elaborately place the animals importance for Pi silver diamond doves, Cape glossy starlings, peach-faced lovebirds. The use of alliteration shows Pis deep observation, seeking acceptance from nature. Hemmingway presents the theme of nature in comparison to Martel, which is used to comfort the characters in their seclusion as their need for companionship places significant importance on the animals. Santiagos first observation of nature is when the reader identifies the characters dream of Africa, a sign of the old mans child hood which is used three times in the novel to signify peace with nature, the long, golden beaches and the white beaches, so white they hurt your eyes he smelled the tar and oakum of the deck The author has used colour and sense of smell to depict the scene, offering a sense of regeneration which is used to create a cycle of nature comparing dreams of youth with old age, which leaves the realism and negatives of survival and his isolation with tranquility. In the same way Martel uses the Zoo as a symbol for freedom from his isolation, but the structure of the novel in its three parts echoes the three stages of life in Birth, Life and Death. The first section explores Pis youthful exploration of nature and religion emphatically illustrated as A germ of religious exaltation, no bigger than a mustard seed, with continuation through maturation with Richard Parker to the realisation of his families death at the end of the novel. Anthropomorphism is a theme which can be seen in both texts, as the author uses this form of personification to create a clearer relationship between man and animal, with Martel using Richard Parker as the predominant animal in Pis survival, with the Old mans relationship with the Marlin. The striking use of a human name to represent the tiger is appealing to the reader as the author presented the character at the start of the novel as Pi reminisces Dare I say I miss him?. I do miss him. I still see him in my dreams. The writer uses short sentences to provide an empathetic response from the reader, the reader wants to know who Richard Parker is as he is seen to be an important character in Pis life. The use of this animal links Pis relationship to his mother, father and his brother, as the tiger is a symbol of family life which he harnesses to resolve his loneliness. Pis expression of love for Richard Parker is seen in Pis desperation for him to survive, What are you doing, Richard Parker? Dont you love life Through the use of rhetorical questioning the reader can identify Pi finds comfort in communicating with the animals, with Orange Juice presenting the maternal figure linking his own mother in his thoughts. In comparison Hemmingway uses personification to explore the Old mans affection for the sea and nature, with the author presenting the Old mans love for the sea as la mar. It is explained that la mar describes the sea as a feminine object, which links the Santiagos loneliness from losing his wife with his affection for the sea. At the start of the text the characters emotional pain is represented as Once there had been a tinted photograph of his wife he had taken it down because it made him too lonely. Hemmingways simplicity in style immediately explores the characters loneliness, with the boy and nature seen as objects which Santiago can confide in to forget his isolation. As in similarity with Pi, Santiago shares a relationship with the marlin which shows clear indication of compassion but at the same time hatred for the fish as Fish Ill stay with you until I am dead.. I have never seen or heard of such a fish. But I must kill him.. These quotations explore Santiagos changing view of the marlin placing his life before the fish in one view but on the other hand realising that killing the fish is what he must do. This can be compared with .. Together? Well be together? Have I gone mad?.. from Life of Pi which in the same way explores the realisation of what is needed to survive against a characters need for companionship, with both characters deciding what is the most important attribute, survival or companionship. Survival as explained in the introduction quotation is an individuals instinct for self preservation, which can be split into several categories. The Old Man and the sea clearly presents the theme of determination, a theme which links the relationship between himself and the boy. Santiago views his challenge for survival with the Marlin as something which he must prove to the boy I told the boy I was a strange old man Now is when I must prove it. This represents to the reader that Santiago views his survival as a personal challenge, linked with the boys fascination with the Old mans skill at fishing And the best fisherman is you There is no such fish if you are still strong as you say. These quotes clearly illustrate the boys admiration for the old man, with the old man realising his compassion for the boy as I wish I had the boy repeated through the novella places the boy in high regard.