Quote #4

[Pi:] "Tears flowing down my cheeks, I egged myself on until I heard a cracking sound and I no longer felt any life fighting in my hands. I pulled back the folds of the blanket. The flying fish was dead. It was split open and bloody on one side of its head, at the level of the gills.

I wept heartily over this poor little deceased soul. It was the first sentient being I had ever killed. I was now a killer. I was now as guilty as Cain. I was sixteen years old, a harmless boy, bookish and religious, and now I had blood on my hands. Its a terrible burden to carry. All sentient life is sacred. I never forget to include this fish in my prayers. "(Ch 61)


Why does Pi have such a struggle with killing the flying fish? How is Pi changing?

Quote #3

[Pi:] "Why do people move? What makes them uproot and leave everything they've known for a great unknown beyond the horizon? Why climb this Mount Everest of formalities that makes you feel like a beggar? Why enter this jungle of foreignness where everything is new, strange and difficult?
 
The Answer is the same the world over: people move in the hope of a better life."(Ch 29)


How has Pi's character "moved" or changed throughout the first part of the novel? What is Pi going to miss most about India?

Quote #2

[Pi:] "Why would God wish that upon Himself? Why not leave death to the mortals? Why make dirty what is beautiful, spoil what is perfect?

Love. That was Father Martin's answer." (Ch 17)


Why does Pi struggle to understand the Christian "Story"? How is he affected by the interactions he has with Father Martin?

Quote #1

[Pi:] "Religion will save us," I said. Since when I could remember, religions had always been close to my heart.

"Religion?" Mr. Kumar grinned broadly. "I don't believe in religion. Religion is darkness."

Darkness? I was puzzled. I thought, Darkness is the last thing that religion is. Religion is light." (ch. 7)

How does this quote reveal Pi's feelings about religion? What does he feel about science?

Hello Students! We will be using this blog to discuss some of the important plot events and meaningful quotes from the novel Life of Pi by Yann Martel. I will also use this as a tool for sharing some cool Life of Pi  resources with all of you. Your first assignment will be posted early next week.