This section will be done as a whole, much like the first of part two was.
In this section, two investigators interview Pi in an attempt to determine the cause of the shipwreck. Pi tells them the same story Pi told the reader, but the investigators seem doubtful. He then tells the same story, this time replacing the animals with humans. In this story, he is on the boat with a French Cook, a sailor with a broken leg and Pi’s mother are with him on the lifeboat. The cook cuts off the sailor’s leg and when he dies, eats him, greatly disturbing Pi and his mother. A while later Pi’s mother and the cook argue and the cook kills Pi’s mother, throwing her head to Pi. Afterwards, Pi kills the cook and finally, alone, he turns to God. The investigators remark on the similarities of the two stories. Pi asks them which they like better and they agree the one with the animals. The investigators file their report, stating Pi Patel's story is one of remarkable survival as he survived “in the company of an adult Bengal tiger.” (Martel 354)
The introduction of the second story is extremely intriguing. It is possible this second story is reality, Pi simply created the animal version to deal with the horrific events which occurred. The noble zebra represents the Chinese sailor. The maternal orang-utan represents Pi's own mother. The vicious hyena is the gutless French cook. The tiger is Pi himself, at times ravenous and feral, while at other times contained and passive. It would make sense for Richard Parker to run away at this point because the animal side of Pi no longer exists off that lifeboat.
The idea of the "better story" is a powerful tool. It presents two possible sequences of events for the reader to decide on the validity of each. Pi recognizes that the story with animals is a much better story because it is full of wonder and amazement, whereas the human story is full of heartbreak. It serves as a reminder that humans are not too far from animals.
The two stories also opens up another idea that there is no right account of an event. Everything is open to interpretation. This is where the significance of the quote "Doesn't the telling of something always become a story?" (Martel 335) comes into play. No recounting of an event is free from embellishment, bias, and filling in the blanks. The retelling of the events that occurred on that lifeboat became a story in itself. Pi created a story around the events that took place to shield himself, and the reader, from the horrors that went on on the boat. Pi challenges the reader to suspend their disbelief in order to better enjoy the story, but under the scepticism of the investigators, cracks and reveals the reality of what occurred. This novel is not about the survival of a young boy on a lifeboat, but about how the human mind copes with tragedy and how all stories are subject to interpretation, bias, and simply being skewed by the narrator.
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All in all, I must admit I did not particularly enjoy this novel. It was very dry at many points, and Pi was a difficult character to like for me. This novel did, however, have a very strong ending. The ending was a complete shock to me and increased the quality of the novel tenfold.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Chapters 93 & 94
Chapter 93
Pi reaches his lowest point yet and turns to God.
Chapter 94
This chapter brings an end to Pi's journey. He finally reaches land in Mexico. Richard Parker leaves unceremoniously, running into the forest almost as soon as they hit land. Pi deeply regrets not saying a proper goodbye to Richard Parker.
It is interesting that the story ends so abruptly. There is very little build up to the landing in Mexico, nor is there very much description of the landscape once they get there. This is strange for this novel. I believe it may be because Pi was so weak at the time, he wasn't absorbing as much information, and so couldn't recall as much to recant it to the author.
To the very end, communication has failed Pi. From the journal, to the message in the bottle and the other castaway, communication hasn't been on Pi's side for the journey. It is fitting that even at the end, Pi is unable to communicate in the way he wants. He is unable to say goodbye to Richard Parker, his only companion on the trip.
Pi reaches his lowest point yet and turns to God.
Chapter 94
This chapter brings an end to Pi's journey. He finally reaches land in Mexico. Richard Parker leaves unceremoniously, running into the forest almost as soon as they hit land. Pi deeply regrets not saying a proper goodbye to Richard Parker.
It is interesting that the story ends so abruptly. There is very little build up to the landing in Mexico, nor is there very much description of the landscape once they get there. This is strange for this novel. I believe it may be because Pi was so weak at the time, he wasn't absorbing as much information, and so couldn't recall as much to recant it to the author.
To the very end, communication has failed Pi. From the journal, to the message in the bottle and the other castaway, communication hasn't been on Pi's side for the journey. It is fitting that even at the end, Pi is unable to communicate in the way he wants. He is unable to say goodbye to Richard Parker, his only companion on the trip.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Chapter 92
In this chapter, Pi finds an island that is completely covered in algae. There are hundreds of thousands of meerkats on this island, but very little of anything else. Dead fish turn up, but there are no living fish..
There are two references to Islam in this chapter that stood out. The first being "Green is a lovely colour. It is the colour of Islam." (Martel 285) This is bizarre to me because it was one of Pi's first thoughts upon seeing the island. I would think more important things would come to mind, but nope. The other quote is "To see so many beings bending down at the same time reminded me of prayer time in a mosque." (Martel 294) Once again, the interconnection of zoology and religion is shown. While looking at all of these animals behaving in a bizarre way, Pi compares it to religion. Religion and animals are the two things that help him understand the world around him.
Pi's decision to get off the island is an interesting one. It shows he is optimistic that he will return to civilization. It would've been possible for him to live on the carnivorous island if that was the only option, but obviously Pi feels it is well worth the risk to attempt to make it back to somewhere civilized.
Pi says that the algae turned acidic at night. If this is the case, why did it not burn through the oar that was planted in it and tethering the boat to the island? Did I simply overlook something?
This island reminds me of the island from LOST. It seems to be almost supernatural and be home to many inexplicable things.
There are two references to Islam in this chapter that stood out. The first being "Green is a lovely colour. It is the colour of Islam." (Martel 285) This is bizarre to me because it was one of Pi's first thoughts upon seeing the island. I would think more important things would come to mind, but nope. The other quote is "To see so many beings bending down at the same time reminded me of prayer time in a mosque." (Martel 294) Once again, the interconnection of zoology and religion is shown. While looking at all of these animals behaving in a bizarre way, Pi compares it to religion. Religion and animals are the two things that help him understand the world around him.
Pi's decision to get off the island is an interesting one. It shows he is optimistic that he will return to civilization. It would've been possible for him to live on the carnivorous island if that was the only option, but obviously Pi feels it is well worth the risk to attempt to make it back to somewhere civilized.
Pi says that the algae turned acidic at night. If this is the case, why did it not burn through the oar that was planted in it and tethering the boat to the island? Did I simply overlook something?
This island reminds me of the island from LOST. It seems to be almost supernatural and be home to many inexplicable things.
Chapters 83-91
Chapter 83
In this chapter, Pi faces a storm which tears his tarp, ruins his food, and dismantles his raft.
It's interesting that Pi was so distraught over losing his raft. It seemed as though he didn't really need it anymore and was surviving just fine on the lifeboat. I believe it hit him so hard because it was something he kinda controlled. He created it and could go there as a safe place. It essentially was his home on the water, whereas the lifeboat was more work.
Chapter 84
This chapter is solely focussed on the animals which come by his boat. Pi catches one of the birds and eats almost the entire thing, leaving only bones and feathers for Richard Parker.
When describing the whales that come by, Pi speaks about them as though they're doing everything they can to save him, only to be stopped by humans. It's an interesting commentary because of the positive spin it puts on the animals, while at the same time projecting negative actions onto the humans.
Chapter 85
Another storm comes by, this time a lightning storm. Pi finds this exhilarating and loves it, while Richard Parker is frightened. Pi thanks Allah for the storm.
It's interesting that Pi loves the storm so much even though he was almost killed by a storm not too long before that. I'm surprised he would praise Allah for bringing that storm.
Chapter 86
Pi finally sees a ship, but it does not see him. Instead it almost runs over the lifeboat, and is oblivious to their flares and yelling.
This whole section is much like the ocean: full of ups and downs. Hopes are brought to an all-time low from the storm, then back up to high when the ship passes by, only to be dashed once more as they ship sails right passed. I wonder if this was an intentional effect by Yann Martel.
Chapter 87
Pi used a wet cloth to limit his oxygen intake so he could have vivid dreams to pass the time.
Chapter 88
Pi drifts through a garbage island and sends out a message in a bottle.
This is the first of Pi's desperate attempts to communicate. More on that in an upcoming chapter
Chapter 89
Pi and Richard Parker are beginning to deteriorate. They are both nothing more than skin and bones. Pi's pen runs out of ink, putting an end to his journal entries. He feels he is near death at this point.
Interesting to note that Pi's physical condition seems to be deteriorating at the same pace as his mental condition. I would've expected him to fall apart mentally much sooner.
Chapter 90
Pi imagines a full on conversation with Richard Parker, who apparently has a French accent. They discuss food. It is unclear if he's actually imagining talking to Richard Parker at this point, or if he's talking to the new castaway.
This is indicative of Pi's increasing need to communicate. He has already sent a message in a bottle and now that he's unable to write down his thoughts in his journal, he needs a new outlet to communicate. He imagines himself a conversation partner in Richard Parker. Pi is definitely losing his mind at this point. It's also interesting to note that this conversation combines the two things Pi needs: communication and sustenance.
Pi then hears another a voice, this time of a fellow human. The two share a conversation about food for a good while, then Pi invites him close so they can share each other's company. The new castaway attempts to murder Pi, but is instead killed by Richard Parker.
The savagery of the other castaway is intriguing. After so long alone floating in the ocean, one would think he'd be thrilled to find another person. Instead, he tries to kill him soon after meeting him, This makes very little sense to me, especially since he still had some food left.
Chapter 91
Pi searches the other man's boat and finds some water and food. After two days, Pi's vision returns. He uses bits of the dead man's flesh as bait, and even eats some himself.
The development of Pi up until this point is astounding. At first, he had trouble even killing a fish to eat. Now, he is eating bits of the first human he's seen in about 200 days.
In this chapter, Pi faces a storm which tears his tarp, ruins his food, and dismantles his raft.
It's interesting that Pi was so distraught over losing his raft. It seemed as though he didn't really need it anymore and was surviving just fine on the lifeboat. I believe it hit him so hard because it was something he kinda controlled. He created it and could go there as a safe place. It essentially was his home on the water, whereas the lifeboat was more work.
Chapter 84
This chapter is solely focussed on the animals which come by his boat. Pi catches one of the birds and eats almost the entire thing, leaving only bones and feathers for Richard Parker.
When describing the whales that come by, Pi speaks about them as though they're doing everything they can to save him, only to be stopped by humans. It's an interesting commentary because of the positive spin it puts on the animals, while at the same time projecting negative actions onto the humans.
Chapter 85
Another storm comes by, this time a lightning storm. Pi finds this exhilarating and loves it, while Richard Parker is frightened. Pi thanks Allah for the storm.
It's interesting that Pi loves the storm so much even though he was almost killed by a storm not too long before that. I'm surprised he would praise Allah for bringing that storm.
Chapter 86
Pi finally sees a ship, but it does not see him. Instead it almost runs over the lifeboat, and is oblivious to their flares and yelling.
This whole section is much like the ocean: full of ups and downs. Hopes are brought to an all-time low from the storm, then back up to high when the ship passes by, only to be dashed once more as they ship sails right passed. I wonder if this was an intentional effect by Yann Martel.
Chapter 87
Pi used a wet cloth to limit his oxygen intake so he could have vivid dreams to pass the time.
Chapter 88
Pi drifts through a garbage island and sends out a message in a bottle.
This is the first of Pi's desperate attempts to communicate. More on that in an upcoming chapter
Chapter 89
Pi and Richard Parker are beginning to deteriorate. They are both nothing more than skin and bones. Pi's pen runs out of ink, putting an end to his journal entries. He feels he is near death at this point.
Interesting to note that Pi's physical condition seems to be deteriorating at the same pace as his mental condition. I would've expected him to fall apart mentally much sooner.
Chapter 90
Pi imagines a full on conversation with Richard Parker, who apparently has a French accent. They discuss food. It is unclear if he's actually imagining talking to Richard Parker at this point, or if he's talking to the new castaway.
This is indicative of Pi's increasing need to communicate. He has already sent a message in a bottle and now that he's unable to write down his thoughts in his journal, he needs a new outlet to communicate. He imagines himself a conversation partner in Richard Parker. Pi is definitely losing his mind at this point. It's also interesting to note that this conversation combines the two things Pi needs: communication and sustenance.
Pi then hears another a voice, this time of a fellow human. The two share a conversation about food for a good while, then Pi invites him close so they can share each other's company. The new castaway attempts to murder Pi, but is instead killed by Richard Parker.
The savagery of the other castaway is intriguing. After so long alone floating in the ocean, one would think he'd be thrilled to find another person. Instead, he tries to kill him soon after meeting him, This makes very little sense to me, especially since he still had some food left.
Chapter 91
Pi searches the other man's boat and finds some water and food. After two days, Pi's vision returns. He uses bits of the dead man's flesh as bait, and even eats some himself.
The development of Pi up until this point is astounding. At first, he had trouble even killing a fish to eat. Now, he is eating bits of the first human he's seen in about 200 days.
Chapters 77-82
Chapter 77
Pi begins to struggle with a lack of food. He limits himself to a biscuit every eight hours and eats whatever he can get his hands on, even going so far as to try Richard Parker's feces.
I'm beating this to death, but this also shows Pi's break from humanity. He doesn't hesitate to eat the intestines of a turtle. He even tries tiger feces. Pi is most certainly relying on instinct at this point.
Chapter 78
Everything is constantly changing, but nothing is good nor bad. All types of weather provide a benefit but also a drawback. When it's dark, he wishes it were light and vice versa.
A quote that stood out was "Life on a lifeboat isn't much of a life. It is like an end game in chess, a game with a few pieces. The elements couldn't be more simple, nor the stakes higher." (Martel 241) After the shipwreck, only a few "pieces" are left: Pi, Richard Parker, and the animals. The animals all made mistakes and are now dead. Pi carefully plotted out each of his moves and is thus surviving. Life on a lifeboat is very simple as there are few distractions. This allows Pi to grow closer with his faith. In many religions, stripping down to the necessities is a must to communicate with God. Without any distractions, Pi needs his faith to keep his spirits up.
Chapter 79
Pi takes notice of all the sharks around him and even catches a few. The first one he caught tussled with Richard Parker, resulting in injured paws. From that point on, Pi took care of the killing by stabbing them through the eye.
Again, a sign of drifting away form humanity.
Chapter 80
A dorado jumps on the boat. Richard Parker takes notice and is about to attack Pi over it. Pi maintains eye contact and Richard Parker cowers. Pi now feels comfortable as the alpha on the boat.
"Thanks be to you, Jesus-Matsya" (Martel 246) again shows how Pi thanks the gods for everything good.
Chapter 81
Pi looks back on how remarkable his survival was. He speculates Richard Parker relied on him because he was a zoo animal and knew Pi was the one bringing him food and water.
Again, the theme of the zoo pops up again.
Chapter 82
Pi struggles with the amount of fresh water and food that is available to him. He dilutes Richard Parker's water with salt water to save water. He ends up giving most of the food to Richard Parker, but tries to eat as quickly as he can before the tiger can get to it.
Pi recognizes he has slipped into animal territory by the way he eats.
Chapters 70-76
Chapter 70
Pi slaughters a turtle and drinks its blood. He also decides it's time to stop basing his movements off of Richard Parker and that he must assert his dominance.
This is another sign of Pi losing grip with humanity. Before this trip, he was a strict vegetarian. Now he is drinking the blood out of a turtle. The change is staggering.
Chapter 71
Pi describes the steps he took to tame Richard Parker. Nothing really stands out in this chapter.
Chapter 72
In this chapter, Pi attempts to fully tame Richard Parker. He uses a turtle shell as a shield. On his first four attempts, he is swatted into the water. On the fifth, Richard Parker cowers.
Chapter 73
Pi thinks about how great a book would be. Something to read would really help him. He thinks it's a great idea to spread faith in places of rest (such as hotels).
Chapter 74
Pi uses religion to help calm himself. Even at his worst moments, he looks to God to help him past them. Again, it's interesting that he thanks God for moving him past those moments, but doesn't really blame God for causing those moments.
Chapter 75
Happy birthday Mom.
Chapter 76
Pi uses Richard Parker's feces to assert dominance. Richard Parker tries to hide it, but Pi takes it and fondles it to show him that he'll do what he pleases. Another reason for removing the feces is to prevent Richard Parker from eating it.
This is another example of how Pi's zoo background helps him. He knows he needs to remove the feces from Richard Parker's living quarters or he will likely eat it and get sick.
Pi slaughters a turtle and drinks its blood. He also decides it's time to stop basing his movements off of Richard Parker and that he must assert his dominance.
This is another sign of Pi losing grip with humanity. Before this trip, he was a strict vegetarian. Now he is drinking the blood out of a turtle. The change is staggering.
Chapter 71
Pi describes the steps he took to tame Richard Parker. Nothing really stands out in this chapter.
Chapter 72
In this chapter, Pi attempts to fully tame Richard Parker. He uses a turtle shell as a shield. On his first four attempts, he is swatted into the water. On the fifth, Richard Parker cowers.
Chapter 73
Pi thinks about how great a book would be. Something to read would really help him. He thinks it's a great idea to spread faith in places of rest (such as hotels).
Chapter 74
Pi uses religion to help calm himself. Even at his worst moments, he looks to God to help him past them. Again, it's interesting that he thanks God for moving him past those moments, but doesn't really blame God for causing those moments.
Chapter 75
Happy birthday Mom.
Chapter 76
Pi uses Richard Parker's feces to assert dominance. Richard Parker tries to hide it, but Pi takes it and fondles it to show him that he'll do what he pleases. Another reason for removing the feces is to prevent Richard Parker from eating it.
This is another example of how Pi's zoo background helps him. He knows he needs to remove the feces from Richard Parker's living quarters or he will likely eat it and get sick.
Chapters 62-69
Chapter 62
Pi checks the solar stills and notices they have about 1L of water each. He gives some to Richard Parker and gives him food as well. He makes sure the tiger knows Pi is in charge.
As soon as Pi found the water attached to the solar stills, he immediately compared them to a cow, "'My sweet sea cow!' I exclaimed to the solar still." (Martel 207) Once again, this shows how deeply rooted animals are in Pi's mind.
It's also interesting that Pi notes Richard Parker's area is becoming more and more like a zoo enclosure. This shows how Pi is progressing while taming him. Pi has essentially followed in his father's footsteps and became a zookeeper in his own right. Like his father, he relies on reason and faith in himself.
Chapter 63
Pi steps back and looks at his journey as a whole. He mentions that he survived on the boat for 227 days. He credits his prayers and Richard Parker for keeping him busy.
This shows how closely related zoology and religion are for Pi. The two things that managed to keep him occupied were religions and animals (Richard Parker and fish).
Chapter 64
Pi talks about how his clothes disintegrated and he got boils from the salt water.
Chapter 65
Pi tries to decipher the survival handbook to no avail. He has no knowledge of stuff like latitude and longitude. He realized he can't control where he goes, that's up to the wind and currents.
It surprised me that he didn't credit where he goes to God, but I suppose maybe God controls nature.
Chapter 66
Pi wasn't having much success with traditional methods of fishing, so he began impaling them. He also began catching and killing turtles.
This shows Pi is slipping further and further from humanity. Like the orang-utan, Pi is no longer the Pi he once was. His personality is fading, being replaced by instinct.
Chapter 67
Pi is getting extremely bored of the monotony that is his life. He became attached to the sea critters that lived on the bottom of the boat as they gave him something to watch. He also enjoyed eating the crabs on the life boat.
It's interesting that the first time something happens, Pi becomes enthralled by it. As this is the first mention of the new found sea life, the reader is given a great description of it because Pi is so interested in it. As it becomes just the same old, I doubt it'll even be mentioned again.
Chapter 68
Pi's favourite distraction is Richard Parker. For the most part, he just watches him.
Chapter 69
Pi saw lights in the distance and, thinking they were ships, he set off his flares. The smell of the used hand flares reminded him of cumin, which reminded him of back home.
This helped Pi stay sane as he could essentially imagine himself back at home as soon as he smelled one. This helps him put his dire situation out of his mind and relax for a few minutes.
Pi checks the solar stills and notices they have about 1L of water each. He gives some to Richard Parker and gives him food as well. He makes sure the tiger knows Pi is in charge.
As soon as Pi found the water attached to the solar stills, he immediately compared them to a cow, "'My sweet sea cow!' I exclaimed to the solar still." (Martel 207) Once again, this shows how deeply rooted animals are in Pi's mind.
It's also interesting that Pi notes Richard Parker's area is becoming more and more like a zoo enclosure. This shows how Pi is progressing while taming him. Pi has essentially followed in his father's footsteps and became a zookeeper in his own right. Like his father, he relies on reason and faith in himself.
Chapter 63
Pi steps back and looks at his journey as a whole. He mentions that he survived on the boat for 227 days. He credits his prayers and Richard Parker for keeping him busy.
This shows how closely related zoology and religion are for Pi. The two things that managed to keep him occupied were religions and animals (Richard Parker and fish).
Chapter 64
Pi talks about how his clothes disintegrated and he got boils from the salt water.
Chapter 65
Pi tries to decipher the survival handbook to no avail. He has no knowledge of stuff like latitude and longitude. He realized he can't control where he goes, that's up to the wind and currents.
It surprised me that he didn't credit where he goes to God, but I suppose maybe God controls nature.
Chapter 66
Pi wasn't having much success with traditional methods of fishing, so he began impaling them. He also began catching and killing turtles.
This shows Pi is slipping further and further from humanity. Like the orang-utan, Pi is no longer the Pi he once was. His personality is fading, being replaced by instinct.
Chapter 67
Pi is getting extremely bored of the monotony that is his life. He became attached to the sea critters that lived on the bottom of the boat as they gave him something to watch. He also enjoyed eating the crabs on the life boat.
It's interesting that the first time something happens, Pi becomes enthralled by it. As this is the first mention of the new found sea life, the reader is given a great description of it because Pi is so interested in it. As it becomes just the same old, I doubt it'll even be mentioned again.
Chapter 68
Pi's favourite distraction is Richard Parker. For the most part, he just watches him.
Chapter 69
Pi saw lights in the distance and, thinking they were ships, he set off his flares. The smell of the used hand flares reminded him of cumin, which reminded him of back home.
This helped Pi stay sane as he could essentially imagine himself back at home as soon as he smelled one. This helps him put his dire situation out of his mind and relax for a few minutes.
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