Yan Martel’s Life of Pi is an account of a young boy’s journey against incredible odds. Born to a family in India, Piscine Molitor Patel or also known as Pi grew up in the small town of Pondicherry. His family later set their sights on Canada and boarded a ship to take them there, however during their journey the ship capsized. Pi the only survivor, along with Richard Parker, a tiger, survived 227 days on vast Pacific Ocean eventually making it onto shore. Although Pi’s retelling of his incredible journey introduces themes of storytelling and survival (Life of Pi Themes), at its core, lies the thematic topic of religion. Yan Martel interweaves 3 major religions into Life of Pi to present a wonderful and imaginative story which is centred on
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Initially his love towards God came under criticism from both parents and relatives alike, like Mr. Kumar stating “Religion is darkness” (Martel 29), however his experiences only served to strengthen his bond with religion. In the retelling of his childhood, Pi brings up the question: “We are all born like Catholics, aren’t we – in limbo, without religion, until some figure introduces us to God?” (51). Responding to his own question, Pi follows up with his initial introduction to religion. When he was a baby, he underwent the “Hindu rite of passage” (52). During this, Pi becomes enthralled with Hinduism, “I feel at home in a Hindu temple” (52). However, in his desire to be closer with God, he comes across “Jesus Christ” (55). On vacation with his family in Munnar, he comes across a church close to a Hindu temple. Pi gives into his curiosity and enters the church, where he “was filled with a sense of peace” (57). Spending time with Father Martin and learning about Christianity, Pi comes to ultimately desire to be one. Hardly a year later, Pi once again steps into another place of worship, the mosque. Satesh Kumar introduces Pi to the aspects of Islam which Pi comes to accept. Although his decision to pursue them is questioned later on, Pi replies that
Initially his love towards God came under criticism from both parents and relatives alike, like Mr. Kumar stating “Religion is darkness” (Martel 29), however his experiences only served to strengthen his bond with religion. In the retelling of his childhood, Pi brings up the question: “We are all born like Catholics, aren’t we – in limbo, without religion, until some figure introduces us to God?” (51). Responding to his own question, Pi follows up with his initial introduction to religion. When he was a baby, he underwent the “Hindu rite of passage” (52). During this, Pi becomes enthralled with Hinduism, “I feel at home in a Hindu temple” (52). However, in his desire to be closer with God, he comes across “Jesus Christ” (55). On vacation with his family in Munnar, he comes across a church close to a Hindu temple. Pi gives into his curiosity and enters the church, where he “was filled with a sense of peace” (57). Spending time with Father Martin and learning about Christianity, Pi comes to ultimately desire to be one. Hardly a year later, Pi once again steps into another place of worship, the mosque. Satesh Kumar introduces Pi to the aspects of Islam which Pi comes to accept. Although his decision to pursue them is questioned later on, Pi replies that