In the novel, there are two individuals that are identified as Satish Kumar, one being Pi's biology teacher and one being a Muslim baker. Why has Martel chosen to recognize both characters with the same name? Both names represent Pi's growing passion towards religious belief and his passion towards the belief of science. Pi's biology teacher is an atheist who believes in science, and he convinces Pi that science is what helps humanity survive. He states that religion is pure darkness and that science will only help humanity survive (Martel, pg. 34). Pi does not completely disagree with this fact because he believes that like religion, his biology teacher follows a faith that is science. The naming of this Mr. Kumar represents Pi's faith to
