Life Of Pi Discovery

Discovery can embody the experience of discovering something new, or rediscovering something that is known that may have been lost or forgotten. Ang Lee’s film ‘Life of Pi’ and Constantine P. Cavafy’s poem ‘Ithaka’ both incorporate this perspective through emotional, intellectual and transformative breakthroughs. Each may be sudden or unexpected, however result in new understandings, values, ideas and perceptions. The process of discovery throughout these texts, illustrate that discoveries can be found unknown, or rediscover something known to be changed. The biggest obstacle an individual must hurdle over in their process of self-discovery is their attitude towards discovery itself. The poem ‘Ithaka’ encompasses this viewpoint with both …show more content…
Two key aspects of this film include overcoming challenges resulting in transformative outcomes, and the nature of discovery changing with time and experience. Pi faced many obstacles including the understanding of Richard Parker. Richard Parker, the tiger, symbolises the evil side of Pi. Pi’s relationship with the tiger is extremely uncomfortable as his safety and chances of survival are continuously being threatened, which for example is shown when the tiger destroys Orange. In order to uncover what is hidden, Pi must find his inner balance with both his positive side and negative side, being the tiger. Pi’s decision to try and tame the tiger is seen to be a confronting and challenging experience. Pi’s religious connection is also brought into perspective during this scene as he says, “Maybe Richard Parker cannot be tamed, but by God’s will, he can be trained.” This biblical representation indicates Pi’s determination to rediscover his humanity by finding a balance between his evil side, and his spiritual and moral side. A low angle shot is used to depict that Pi is in control when trying to destroy the tiger. This gives a sense of power and authority as Pi has been in fear and panic previously and seen to not have gained much control. However, this quickly changes during the training scene. The camera …show more content…
Pi questions his self purpose and religion, while also reevaluating the value of some objects. The journeys we experience shape our views, values and ideas of ourselves. The storm scene expresses this concept through Pi’s spiritual journey, and this therefore altered his views of himself and his religion. The symbolism of “I Surrender” relates to Jesus on the cross. This biblical allusion is a moment of epiphany where Pi realises his true religion. This illustrates the fact that through new confronting journeys, aspects of his spiritual culture can be changed. This expresses that discoveries may always be reassessed. Also, the irony of the bucket and pencil, representing Pi’s sense of luxury, reinforces the idea that previous discoveries may not always stay equally meaningful or unmeaning as they did when first discovered. These two simple objects that people use in their everyday lives has allowed Pi to realise that basic items should not always be taken for granted, but instead be appreciated. As two very simple objects became a major part of his survival, this reshaped his perspective of life, as his old perceptions of luxury were no longer the same, and hence reformed into new values, beliefs and ideas of himself. This transformative experience has reshaped Pi’s understandings of his previous discoveries, therefore encompassing the idea that Pi has reconsidered what is