It is not often that people can learn about religion through literature. Yann Martel is the author of Life of Pi, a story about the tales of a boy lost at sea with a tiger. In the novel, Pi discovers religion and faith. While surviving at sea he keeps religion on mind the entire time and relies on it. Pi realizes he must rely more and more on his religion to keep him alive on the boat with the bengal tiger, Richard Parker. Martel depicts themes of religion and God to create a more faithful tone throughout Pi’s survival. Some similarities to Yann Martel’s life can be seen throughout the story such as his travel experiences. Life of Pi also has a very playful tone throughout the entire novel.
There are various times in the …show more content…
Martel has traveled to many places since he was a child. He even traveled to India and lived there for a bit to study for this novel (Hunter). The use of Martel’s knowledge on travel can be seen throughout the book. For example, Martel uses very descriptive details to provide the reader with a visual of Pi’s surroundings. It is obvious that Martel has studied these surroundings to be so accurate and particulate with the descriptions. At the very beginning of the book, Martel states, “So I flew to Bombay” and “I had been to India before” (Martel 10). Also, Pi is very philosophical and explores religion much like Martel said he had done throughout college …show more content…
Martel writes with a whimsical, tolerant tone consistent with Pi’s outlook on life. Martel even sets Pi up for comedic scenes such as, “Here it is, for your enjoyment and instruction, for your gratification and edification, the show you've been waiting for all your life, THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH!“Are you ready for the miracle of it? Yes? Well then: they are amazingly adaptable. You’ve seen them in freezing, snow-covered temperate forests. You’ve seen them in dense, tropical monsoon jungles. You’ve seen them in sparse, semi-arid scrublands. You’ve seen them in brackish mangrove swamps. Truly, they would fit anywhere. But you’ve never seen them where you are about to see them now! Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, without further ado, it is my pleasure and honour to present to you: THE PI PATEL, INDO-CANADIAN, TRANS-PACIFIC, FLOATING CIRCUUUUUUSSSSSSSSSSSS! TREEEEEE! TREEEEEE!" (Martel 350). This book also does not hold back from being disgusting in it’s tone. Pi is starving at sea and even eats Richard Parker’s feces. This book’s tone is very playful and does not hold back from being outrageous and