Review Detail

Reader reviewed by "Ratburt"

I've been skimming all over the net to try and find a 'deep' analysis of Life of Pi for an English 12 essay. I haven't found one and thus I feel obligated to share what is, perhaps, something others do not see. The book claims to make one believe in God. So I read it through continually poking and prodding every line for this catalyst of creeds. I feel that as far as backing this purpose the book fullfills itself only in the first hundred and last hundred pages. First he becomes a node beckonning for God in as many facets as possible. He seems just to be incapable of not praying in every format he encounters. He ends up grabbing up something like four religions all at once, practicing them all. Of course his religious superiors are offended by this but what are they to him? Nothing for Pi Patel is to 'become God'. This is where the next hundred pages kick in. He turns to an utmost suffering that is so vain (aside from getting him to his new home) that it is not mentioned. By 'becoming God' I think what Yann Martel meant was that Pi would come to adhere with the natures of God. Such is a hefty claim. I could name a few people who seemed adhere with Godly natures, for one: Jesus. Perhaps Martel was trying to create the ultimate prophet: he has the followers who would strike him down given correct circumstances (Richard Parker) and the understanding voyage of life through the valley of death (his possibly infinitly painful voyage to mexico from his little green island). Atop of those measures there is, of course, the green island. It is survival but Pi wanted more: a thriving existence and such is the yearning of any Prophet to be shared with all. In a way Pi Patel really could have become the latest 'big thing' in the religious world. He could even have his own zealots... mmmmm zealots. I wish I had zealots. Now for my final point: on page 352, thirteenth line down, Yan Martel's central purpose of the novel comes together. It becomes manditory that at the end of all crisis when all is gone and threats nolonger arise there will be something as fickle as opinion that will dictate such a massive decision thereby stating that where humanity goes so does God.