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Life of Pi

Yann Martel. Life of Pi. Life of Pi as an Allegory. Allegory : the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence; also: an instance (as in a story or painting) of such expression a symbolic representation.

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Life of Pi

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  1. Yann Martel Life of Pi

  2. Life of Pi as an Allegory Allegory: • the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence; • also: an instance (as in a story or painting) of such expression • a symbolic representation

  3. Life of Pi as an Allegory Things we will be looking at as we read: Symbolism Purpose Character Motivation & Choices Comparing and contrasting the messages of the stories Theological& Philosophical Ideas – Answers to Big Life ?s It’s not literal meaning of the story, but the implied or figurative meaning that is significant in our study.

  4. Interview with Yann Martel • Record the significant ideas Martel discusses in relation to the text in this short interview: • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJYS9SQn1LA • What questions have these ideas raised for you?

  5. Making Connections • Inquiry with Texts • We know what some of the Big Questions Martel addresses in his novel are already, more will emerge • You must learn to question - questioning leads to greater understanding and making new connections. • Making new connections with help you generate new ideas

  6. Author Yann Martel • Authorial Purpose of Life of Pi • Read Author’s Note • What does the line, “This is a story that will make you believe in God” tell us about authorial purpose? • Make some predictions: How will Martel accomplish this challenge he has set out? How could he?

  7. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Framing our look at Pi’s actions and reactions to experience

  8. Maslow’s Adjusted

  9. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

  10. In Part 1 of Life of Pi Institutions

  11. Institutions • an organization, establishment, foundation, society, or the like, devoted to the promotion of a particular cause or program, especially one of a public, educational, or charitable character. • Ex. This college is the best institution of its kind. • the building devoted to such work. • a public or private place for the care or confinement of inmates, especially mental patients or other disabled or handicapped persons. • Sociology - a well-established and structured pattern of behavior or of relationships that is accepted as a fundamental part of a culture, as marriage: the institution of the family. • any established law, custom, etc.

  12. Institutions in Life of Pi • The Zoo • Pi’s Family • Religion • We must be conscious of: What happens when these institutions/ Institutional structures are removed from Pi’s life?

  13. Maslow’s Hierarchy • What effect does the removal of these institutions have on Pi’s life? • How does this affect Pi’s location on the hierarchy?

  14. The Zoo as an Institution: The Zoo: • “Broken Spirit” • Safe & enclosed • Constant food supply • Territory is defined & constant, doesn’t need to be defended • Defined boundaries • Constant medical care & support The Wild: • Happy & “Free” • High Fear • Low Food Supply • Territory constantly needs expanding & defending • Boundaries between species can be undefined • Health & Wellness challenges

  15. Pi’s Family as an Institution • What structures do we see here? • What kinds of boundaries exist/ have been demonstrated by Pi’s family? • By Pi’s father? • What do you think happens to individuals when their family institutions are altered, changed, or destroyed?

  16. Religion as an Institution in LoP • Brainstorm: What are the structures provided by Religion as an Institution? • How do these structures affect people? • What is the effect on Pi of subscribing to multiple religions/ religious institutions?

  17. Theisms • What is Theism? • Belief that a (G)/(g)od or (G)/(g)ods created and rules humans and the world, not necessarily accompanied by belief in divine revelation such as through the Bible • Theism – Part 1 • Catholicism – Monotheistic • Islam - Monotheistic • Hinduism – Multitheistic

  18. Theisms Continued • Atheism • disbelief in the existence of God or deities • Atheists believe that God/ gods does not/ do not exist • Still an “Active” belief • What does Pi say about Atheists: • Mr. Kumar (the Biology teacher), Page 29 • What do you think of the statement, “Religion is Darkness” (Evaluate)

  19. Agnosticism • What is agnosticism? • The belief that it is impossible to know whether or not God exists • What does Pi say about Agnosticism? • Page 31 • Consider Pascal’s Wager: Is Pascal an Agnostic?

  20. A Good Zoo is… • Page 20 • A good Religious Institution is… • A good spiritual authority (God or gods) is…

  21. The Parable of the 3 Rings • What is the main message of this Parable? • What do you think of this message? • How might we relate this message to Pi’s systems of belief? • Chapter 16, paragraph 1: “We are all born like Catholics…” (4 sentences)

  22. Free Write: • Write a response to the ideas presented in The Parable of the Three Rings. • You might agree or disagree with the ideas presented • Whatever your position, provide evidence (don’t worry about fallacies or appeals) to substantiate your claims • Response should be 1-2 paragraphs • We will be completing free writes more regularly in our LoP study, keep them ALL.

  23. Life of Pi The Isms Continue

  24. Review • Theism • Atheism • Agnosticism • A good zoo is… (Page 20) • (A good family is, a good religion is…)

  25. The Boat Sinks • Where is Pi on Maslow’s Hierarchy? • What kinds of things do you think are going through Pi’s mind at this point? • The ship sinks • Pi is in the boat (with others) • Family is lost • Institutions have been removed • What effect do these losses have on him? • Immediately? • In the first few days?

  26. Who’s In The Boat • Who is in the boat? (List) • Who kills who? How are they killed? (List) • Keep a copy of this list for future reference

  27. In Life of Pi Zoomorphism

  28. Zoomorphism • Page 93 (Read) • What is the significance of Martel telling this story before the ship sinks?

  29. Definitions & Equation • Anthropomorphism • The attribution of a human form, human characteristics, or human behavior to nonhuman things • Similar to personification • Zoomorphism • The use of animal figures in art and design, or of animal symbols in literature • The attribution of animal forms of characteristics to gods

  30. Zoomorphism • Would you consider Pi and Richard Parker to be an example of Zoomorphism? • The Rat & Tiger Training • Conditioning http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo7jcI8fAuI

  31. Plans for Survival: Plan #7 • What are the merits of the seven plans for survival Pi considers? • What are the effects of Plan #7 on Pi? • What is needed for Plan #7 to work successfully?

  32. In Life of Pi Symbolism

  33. Identifying Symbols • What are some symbols you have noticed so far? • Why do you think Yann Martel has included so many symbolic elements? • Was this knowingly done?

  34. A Few Key Symbols • Orange • Survival – the boat, emergency supplies, etc. • The Tiger • In Hinduism Saffron The most sacred color for the Hindu saffron. Represents fire and as impurities are burnt by fire, this color symbolizes purity. It also represents religious abstinence. This color connotation has a sacred meaning for the Hindu. It is the color of holy men and ascetics who have renounced the world. Wearing the color symbolizes the quest for light. It is the battle color of the Rajputs, the warrior caste. http://www.wou.edu/provost/library/exhibits/exhibits2004-05/color/Images/hinduism.pdf

  35. A Few Key Symbols • Water • Survival • Purifying • Life-giving and life-taking • Salvation and condemnation • What other symbols can we identify in Life of Pi?

  36. Survival Mechanisms • 227 Days at Sea vs. Survival Equipment Inventory (Page 160) • Survival Manual (Pages 184-185)

  37. Survival Mechanisms • What are some of the less visible/ obvious survival mechanisms that Pi has developed? • What kinds of coping mechanisms has Pi developed to maintain his • Emotional Health • Psychological/ Mental Health • Physical Health

  38. Survival Costs • What are the personal ‘costs’ associated with survival that Pi must address/ confront? • In terms of Pi’s beliefs? • In terms of Pi’s behavior?

  39. Suffering In a Grand Setting • Chapters 58- 60 • What does this phrase imply? • Why would this be preferable for Pi? • What does this allow Pi to experience? Understand? Consider?

  40. Wednesday: • Pi and Richard Parker’s Blindness • The Blind Frenchman Encounter

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