Zoos In Life Of Pi

Great Essays
Register to read the introduction… Religion faces the same problem. Certain illusions about freedom plague them both.” (21). This quote can have many different meanings. Pi has heard many people say negative things about zoos, mostly that they take away noble, wild animals of their freedom and trap them in boring, domesticated lives, but he disagrees. He believes that wild animals in their natural surroundings come to deal with fear, fighting, lack of food, and parasites on a regular basis. Animals in the wild are not free at all; they must follow the harsh laws of nature or die. Religion with its many orders and rules may also be seen as intrusions on personal freedom. But Pi defends religion the same way he defends zoos. In his point of view, the cages and restrictions of religion provide a cozy and comfortable life and people prefer not to leave because life outside is miserable by comparison. Religion is a method humans have developed of making their lives more pleasurable, more meaningful, and more …show more content…
The most obvious symbol of Hinduism in the novel is the colour orange. It symbolizes hope and survival. The first time that the colour orange is mentioned, it is when the author is visiting Pi's house and sees that Pi has children and there is an orange cat, this foreshadows that Pi will survive and be able to father his children and live to tell the tale. The little orange cat recalls Richard Parker and it is Richard Parker who helps Pi survive. When in the sea, the boat, tarpaulin, life jackets and even the whistle were all orange and all of these things worked in their own way and helped Pi live. Orange relates to Hinduism because most temples are orange and usually marigolds are used to decorate them. The boat is like a temple because it is like a shelter and safe haven where people find peace. Priests wear orange robes and survive off of donations; Richard Parker is also orange and is dependent on Pi for food. Priests also stay inside the temple most of the time and rarely interact with humans, this resembles Richard …show more content…
These prayers helped him to survive. He was able to somewhat maintain his religious lifestyle he had prior to the sinking of the Tsimtsum. He also makes many religious connections throughout his journey. As Yann Martel has said, “The theme of this novel can be summarized in three lines. Life is a story. You can choose your story. And a story with an imaginative overlay is the better story.” In the novel the greatest imaginative overlay is religion. Religion is like a pattern that occurs countless times in the novel, it makes the story interesting and believable. Pi’s religious faith remained strong throughout his journey on the Pacific Ocean and it was religion that helped him complete the journey and symbols of this are present throughout the

Related Documents

  • Superior Essays

    In the story of the Life of Pi, Piscine Patel is explaining to a secular author who was convinced that this man could make him believe in God. Thus, Piscine (Pi) tells an adventure from long ago. Pi explains that he was a young religious man born in India from zookeepers and is suddenly that he will move to Canada, as his father has job opportunities there, perhaps even better than in India. However, caos falls onto the boat to Canada and Pi is stranded on a raft with a zebra, hyena, orangutan and a tiger; although, the only left alive is him and the tiger. The story is all about how he and his survival instincts pull through and survive the rigorous challenges of the Atlantic Ocean.…

    • 1407 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Humans are often considered as “higher” beings when compared to animals, but humans are ultimately animals with a set of instincts that can kick in at any given moment when put into tough situations. Yann Martel’s Life of Pi describes the life of a young Indian boy, Piscine (Pi) Molitor Patel. In his childhood, Pi’s family owns a zoo in Pondicherry, India which influences Pi to become interested in zoology, and practices multiple religions to show his devotion to his gods. In order to avoid imminent political disputes in India, Pi’s father decides to take the Patel family and their animals on the Tsimtsum to head for Canada.…

    • 1002 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    But the biggest challenge right now is worshiping in the middle of the ocean. Later on Pi seems to start losing hope in surviving but he believes that the gods will protect him either way. Because of this it shows how amazing Pi’s faith is. He still believes after all the struggle he is facing at the…

    • 2087 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Atheism In Life Of Pi

    • 1233 Words
    • 5 Pages

    In Yann Martel’s fiction novel Life of Pi, Pi’s survival story includes living on a lifeboat for 227 days while accompanied by a 450 pound Bengal tiger. He claims that through his faith and prayers, Pi was able to survive on a rigorous journey in which no human has accomplished before. During the time of his struggle, Pi had been practicing four faiths, one of them including atheism. Pi’s encounters throughout his surreal story contradict the beliefs of atheists. Through the lens of an atheist, Pi fabricated his story involving Richard Parker the Bengal tiger because the events that occurred during his journey could not have happened.…

    • 1233 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Orangutans are somewhat solitary species but to some degree as also somewhat social. Flanged adult male orangutans are the most solitary of all orangutans with their participation in social activity limited to short sexual encounters with adults or sub adult females; however, there were none of these at the zoo. Male orangutans normally do not even play a role in the upbringing of their offspring. Females do associate with their offspring and they have a relationship that lasts for many years sometimes being carried by their mother until the age of five and even being breastfed until the age of eight; however, the young’s time spent with other orangutans is brief. Offspring typically remain close to their mother until ten years of age, and…

    • 1251 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Keep Zoo’s! Between 200 and 2,000 animal extinctions occur every year. I believe that animals should stay in zoos. Animals should stay in zoos because they wouldn't have to worry about getting killed and they will always get food.…

    • 384 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The Benefits Of Zoos

    • 1084 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Zoos have been a popular destination for people for as long as they have existed. It is exciting to go see the animals. People can feel the joy of spending time with family and friends while also experiencing the closeness of wild animals. It can create quite a rush and bring excitement to those peering through the animal’s habitat. There are many things that bring people to the zoo and many good deeds done by the zoo.…

    • 1084 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Animal Cruelty In Zoos

    • 1146 Words
    • 5 Pages

    In these zoos, animals are treated cruelly and are killed for no reason, animals go through mental/psychological disorders, and lack the nutritious values that are only given to them in the wild. These reasons prove that zoos need to be shut down and these helpless animals deserve to live and thrive in the environment and habitat they come from. It is disturbing to think of how positive zoos are seen and how they are a popular attraction for people of all ages. Next time people go to a zoo, they should look closely at these animals and see the misery and depression in their…

    • 1146 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    He acknowledges the fact that his optimism differentiates him from those around him. He becomes a God loving, righteous person which further enhances his true identity as Pi does things in his own distinguishable manner. The norm of his society would be to simply follow one religion, however, Pi’s identity is a reflection of his beliefs and own personal interests. He does not concur to what society says and he clings on to all three religions, strengthening his identity. This is evident until the very end, as he continues to shape his identity by practicing each religion in the hopes of pleasing God even in the times of hardship, proving how his identity has grown to be stronger.…

    • 1540 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Pi’s suffering compels him to do inconceivable things after his encounter with the French castaway, a human who unexpectedly boards his lifeboat. While being severely malnourished, Pi’s once strong religious beliefs are overcome by his instincts to survive. This primal urge for food, shelter and water control him and don’t allow him to be free or enjoy the freedom that was essentially given to him. Before the shipwreck, Pi was an innocent, religious young boy who was in fact a vegetarian. In order to survive, his freedom of choice, along with his innocence, was stripped from him.…

    • 1300 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Zoochosis In Zoo Animals

    • 1815 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Stepping inside a zoo is like setting foot in the wild; with the only difference that the animals are enclosed behind bars and some are within a distance for public safety. Zoo animals, who are held in captivity, are restrained from having the freedom they were evolved to take advantage from because they are preserved for public education and amusement. What may seem like a friendly establishment for wild animals is in reality a park where animals: are used for “educational” purposes, are deprived from having an adequate environment where they can act like animals, suffer from stereotypical behaviors where their behaviors alternate, and are considered to be money makers rather than animals who are being preserved. When humans enjoy visitations…

    • 1815 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The Importance Of Zoos

    • 798 Words
    • 4 Pages

    However, by creating zoos that are enriching and natural and strive to meet an animal’s needs, we can create hope that these species will stay with us for longer, and that they can live happy, fulfilled lives in a world where animals are cared for and…

    • 798 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In both the novel and the film, Pi is not swayed by the fact that others want him to live his life a certain way, but he creates his own path to follow. Pi tries to keep the balance of science and religion in his life, “ Mr. Kumar was Pi's favorite teacher and the reason that he goes on to study zoology, the science that constitutes half his worldview. The other half is religion; hence, he also goes on to get a degree in theology” (Stephens). This dual combination of science and religion that Pi incorporates in his life show how Pi attempts to embrace both aspects of the spectrum. However, while on the boat with the tiger Pi realizes that God alone cannot save him from his situation, and that he must choose to utilize his knowledge in zoology rather than his religious beliefs to succeed.…

    • 1377 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Importance Of Animals In Zoos

    • 984 Words
    • 4 Pages
    • 12 Works Cited

    Panda are a big ticket item in all zoos. Pandas bring prestige and fame to a zoo. What most people don’t know though, is that fame and prestige cost a lot of money. For each panda that a zoo has, it cost them one million dollars per year plus another six hundred thousand dollars every time a cub is born. On top of that, the money that the zoos make annually is not enough to cover the cost of the pandas (Washington Post 2).…

    • 984 Words
    • 4 Pages
    • 12 Works Cited
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    To sum it all up, faith and religion gave Pi the emotional and physical strength and allowed him to stay mentally stable throughout his…

    • 758 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays