James Patterson once questioned, “What are we but our stories”. Variety of stories are present; some stories fall into a genre such as fantasy, realistic, horror, mystery or dramatic. People choose certain stories to read because they either can relate to it, or the storyline brings the individuals joy, suspense and an adventure. Stories not only provide a sense of adventure but also, they articulate a message to the reader as well. One tale that has the reader on his or her toes is Yann Martel’s Life of Pi. Life of Pi is a novel about an Indian boy who gets stranded on a lifeboat with a wounded zebra, orangutan, hyena, and a Bengal tiger. Like Patterson’s quote, Martel desires the audience to understand that an individual’s life is a unique
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The other animals that survive the shipwreck serves as not only as an interesting twist but also, they each have a symbolic meaning. In the article called “Life of Pi” the author writes, “...the zebra is beauty and grace, the hyena instinct and savagery, and Orange Juice quiet reserve and dignity...” (McGlynn). The animals serve to Pi as a way to see life in a different way. On the boat, Pi saw all the realities of life through these animals. After getting strands on a lifeboat with just these animals, Pi sees death of the zebra and the Orange Juice from the hyena’s savagery. Each animal has a story and why they represent what they are. Martel elucidates his point that realities are stories through the examples of the animals’ stories. The animal’s function as symbols create a better story of life for Pi that just reading about life cannot do. One animal that has a significant impact and function is the Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. In the evaluation of Life of Pi, McGlynn writes, “Richard Parker, largely because he remains alive, fulfills a different metaphoric function...symbolizes a dark and seemingly intractable threat, one that exists beyond reason, that operates on pure instinct alone”. Martel has Richard Parker survive; whereas, the other animals did not because the tiger is a symbol of how individual’s mind process threat. Richard Parker not only creates a “better story” but also he indirectly teaches Pi how to survive. Martel creates Richard Parker to show how individual typically think and what they choose to believe in. Richard Parker contradicts the stereotypical belief of dangerous animal, and Martel uses this contradiction to show that individual’s beliefs change. Pi’s decision to attempt with Richard Parker instead of resigning to the difficult circumstance, makes Pi’s story unique and
The other animals that survive the shipwreck serves as not only as an interesting twist but also, they each have a symbolic meaning. In the article called “Life of Pi” the author writes, “...the zebra is beauty and grace, the hyena instinct and savagery, and Orange Juice quiet reserve and dignity...” (McGlynn). The animals serve to Pi as a way to see life in a different way. On the boat, Pi saw all the realities of life through these animals. After getting strands on a lifeboat with just these animals, Pi sees death of the zebra and the Orange Juice from the hyena’s savagery. Each animal has a story and why they represent what they are. Martel elucidates his point that realities are stories through the examples of the animals’ stories. The animal’s function as symbols create a better story of life for Pi that just reading about life cannot do. One animal that has a significant impact and function is the Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. In the evaluation of Life of Pi, McGlynn writes, “Richard Parker, largely because he remains alive, fulfills a different metaphoric function...symbolizes a dark and seemingly intractable threat, one that exists beyond reason, that operates on pure instinct alone”. Martel has Richard Parker survive; whereas, the other animals did not because the tiger is a symbol of how individual’s mind process threat. Richard Parker not only creates a “better story” but also he indirectly teaches Pi how to survive. Martel creates Richard Parker to show how individual typically think and what they choose to believe in. Richard Parker contradicts the stereotypical belief of dangerous animal, and Martel uses this contradiction to show that individual’s beliefs change. Pi’s decision to attempt with Richard Parker instead of resigning to the difficult circumstance, makes Pi’s story unique and