Premium Essay

U4A4 the Hero

In:

Submitted By DarkAscent
Words 755
Pages 4
Trace three of the following threads through the novel. In two paragraphs for each explain the various literary effects of each of the threads and how each is related to the theme. Use quotations from the novel to support each analysis.
1. The family business of the Pondicherry Zoo in India
2. The narrator’s study of the three toed sloth
3. Young Pi’s dedication to three religions
4. Father’s statement at the beginning of chapter 34, “We’ll sail like Columbus.”
Can you identify any more threads? Can you tie any into the Quest pattern?
Father’s admonitions to stay away from the tiger in the zoo
In chapter 8 Ravi, Pi and their parents are at the zoo and Pi’s father is teaching his sons a lesson on the dangerousness of a tiger by letting a tiger brutally kill a goat right in front of him. He is trying to teach Pi how incredibly dangerous the Tiger is and that he should avoid them entirely; this is made evident by his accompanying speech: “Tigers are very dangerous. I want you to understand that you are never—under any circumstances—to touch a tiger, to pet a tiger, to put your hands through the bars of a cage, even to get close to a cage. Is that clear?”
This thread, initiated at the very beginning of the novel, remains through to the ending moments of Pi’s trip across the sea. The thread like Pi’s experience develops and changes throughout. Initially Pi is warned of the dangers of a tiger and made to see it firsthand, this event foreshadows the mid-story where Pi is stuck on a lifeboat with the tiger he was made to fear, at this point he is forced to decide: obey his father and flee from the ship or, against everything he has been taught, stay with this ferocious feline. By challenging his father’s views he is able to develop his own, this theme—growth through trial—is very well supported in this thread; though initially Pi was afraid of the tiger as he

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Quotations

...Vinci Chan Ms. Lawrence ENG4UV-04 July 8th 2016 U4A4: Life of Pi - Part 1 Quotation Analysis “Religion?” Mr. Kumar grinned broadly. “I don’t believe in religion. Religion is darkness.” (Martel, 29) I chose this quotation because doubt seems to be a common theme associated with today’s religion. Many individuals either do not conform to any religions or are atheist also there are so many people today who question religion, such as, if God or religion exists, why is there so much violence in the world? Or, why is there a majority of people living in poverty? These thoughts lead me to have doubts, is religion leading us into darkness? Also, this quotation is interesting because it follows Pi telling Mr. Kumar “religion will save us” (Martel, 29), and Mr. Kumar immediately opposes Pi’s statement. Personally, I was raised as an atheist as my parents do not have any beliefs in religion. I have never been connected with the Church or with God; however, sometimes I do find myself to believe that there is a higher power out there. I could relate this to my personal hero’s journey. Many was raised as an atheist because they were not exposed to religion growing up, which is like a hero being pulled in an unknown direction because he/she had no guide. Next, is call to adventure, which for me is being exposed to religion as I grew older; at this stage in life, sometimes I was convinced the existence of God through peers and media. Then comes the refusal of call, which for me was...

Words: 361 - Pages: 2