Science in Spirituality; The Allegorical Comparison Between Science and Religion One’s reality is an interpretation, emphasizing the infinite variations of stories one can choose to believe. In the novel Life of Pi by Yann Martel, the protagonist Pi Patel, and his family board the Tsimtaum in hopes of reaching Canada. However, the ship sinks and Pi is thrown onto a lifeboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, possessing only the bare essentials for survival. With the company of a Bengal Tiger, Richard Parker, Pi discovers the animal inside him, as well as the intelligent and resourceful side of his personality. When Mr. Okomato and Mr. Chiba interview Pi after his return, they challenge this “animal” story he tells, forcing him to make up
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In the Christian creation story, Adam and Eve are told not to eat the fruit of knowledge, however with temptation from the serpent, they eat it. This fruit is similar to the fruit on the island in Life Of Pi. Pi states, “I could have simply ripped the ‘fruit’ apart--I still called it that for lack of a better word” (280). The reason this fruit is so strange and difficult to describe is because it contains teeth. It connects to the religious story occurring in the Garden of Eden, but adds a negative spin as teeth grow inside the fruit of knowledge. The contrast between good and evil is portrayed through the “normal fruit” and the “fruit with teeth”, embodying religion. Richard Parker is exemplified as the tempter in this situation as he encourages Pi to disobey his religious beliefs. Just as the serpent in Adam and Eve, Richard Parker “hissed and reared on his hind legs” (272). This is unusual because a normal mannerism for a tiger is not to hiss, but to roar. Yann Martel’s word choice exemplifies the tigers connection with religion, expressing his scientific side. Like most creatures, “Every animal has particular habitat needs that must be met. If its enclosure is too sunny or too wet or too empty, if its perch is too high or too exposed, if the ground is too sandy, if there are too many braches to make a nest, if the food trough is too low, if …show more content…
Kumar’s provide both a scientific and religious backbone for Pi. The life jackets, whistle, and boat are also all orange. These resources helped him survive in the middle of the Pacific. Also, Richard Parker, the fierce tiger, is orange giving Pi protection, safety and power. Islam is expressed through green and accentuates Pi’s hope in getting to land. Although he cannot see Mecca, an Islamic figure, he prays and puts faith into this god to assist him on this journey. Catholicism is portrayed through blue, connecting to when Jesus suffered on the cross in order to save the rest of humanity from sin. By finding meaning in pain and sacrifice, love is produced. The water and the sky are blue, which are present throughout Pi’s whole journey. This exemplifies how God is with Pi in all occasions. All three religions provide Pi with the most important aspects of life. This blurred line, separating the religions, allows for him to draw from all the crucial aspects of the three in order to find faith for himself along the 227 days the journey
In the Christian creation story, Adam and Eve are told not to eat the fruit of knowledge, however with temptation from the serpent, they eat it. This fruit is similar to the fruit on the island in Life Of Pi. Pi states, “I could have simply ripped the ‘fruit’ apart--I still called it that for lack of a better word” (280). The reason this fruit is so strange and difficult to describe is because it contains teeth. It connects to the religious story occurring in the Garden of Eden, but adds a negative spin as teeth grow inside the fruit of knowledge. The contrast between good and evil is portrayed through the “normal fruit” and the “fruit with teeth”, embodying religion. Richard Parker is exemplified as the tempter in this situation as he encourages Pi to disobey his religious beliefs. Just as the serpent in Adam and Eve, Richard Parker “hissed and reared on his hind legs” (272). This is unusual because a normal mannerism for a tiger is not to hiss, but to roar. Yann Martel’s word choice exemplifies the tigers connection with religion, expressing his scientific side. Like most creatures, “Every animal has particular habitat needs that must be met. If its enclosure is too sunny or too wet or too empty, if its perch is too high or too exposed, if the ground is too sandy, if there are too many braches to make a nest, if the food trough is too low, if …show more content…
Kumar’s provide both a scientific and religious backbone for Pi. The life jackets, whistle, and boat are also all orange. These resources helped him survive in the middle of the Pacific. Also, Richard Parker, the fierce tiger, is orange giving Pi protection, safety and power. Islam is expressed through green and accentuates Pi’s hope in getting to land. Although he cannot see Mecca, an Islamic figure, he prays and puts faith into this god to assist him on this journey. Catholicism is portrayed through blue, connecting to when Jesus suffered on the cross in order to save the rest of humanity from sin. By finding meaning in pain and sacrifice, love is produced. The water and the sky are blue, which are present throughout Pi’s whole journey. This exemplifies how God is with Pi in all occasions. All three religions provide Pi with the most important aspects of life. This blurred line, separating the religions, allows for him to draw from all the crucial aspects of the three in order to find faith for himself along the 227 days the journey