Life Of Pi Essay
Krystal Tam
Mr. Wilson
ENG4U
4 November 2014
Symbolism in Life of Pi
Life of Pi, written by Yann Martel, has a complex plot. It is a story within a story. It is an adventure novel about a 16 year-old boy called Pi, who survives after the ship wrecks. He stays with a tiger on the ocean for 227 days. In the novel, the author uses various literary devices to present different themes. One of those devices is symbolism. Its presence is shown everywhere in the novel and it helps readers to truly understand Pi’s fight for survival. The color orange, the Algae Island, “Pi”, and Richard Parker are some examples of symbolism. In Yann Martel’s Life of Pi, symbolism plays an important part.
Throughout the story, the color orange appears many times. It symbolizes survival and hope. Pi keeps hope when he is all alone on the lifeboat. When the ship sinks, a Chinese crewman gives Pi a life jacket with an orange whistle. “One of the men interrupted me by thrusting a life jacket into my arms and shouting something in Chinese. I noticed an orange whistle dangling from the life jacket.” (Martel 115). The orange whistle is very important for Pi’s survival because he uses it to train Richard Parker later on. The lifeboat and tarpaulin which are essential for him are also orange. All these orange objects help Pi survive the sinking of the ship and they are just like a sign saying that Pi will be safe. They are associated with hope for future, that Pi will survive even though he finds himself in tough situations. Moving back to the scene which the narrator visits adult Pi’s home, Pi’s daughter carries an orange cat. “She’s holding an orange cat in her arms....The animal seems quite relaxed about being stretched on the rack in this summer.” (Martel 89). This moment assures the readers that the story has a happy ending. The little orange cat also recalls the big orange cat, Richard Parker, who helps Pi survive during 227 days at sea. All the orange objects contribute to the survival of Pi
Mr. Wilson
ENG4U
4 November 2014
Symbolism in Life of Pi
Life of Pi, written by Yann Martel, has a complex plot. It is a story within a story. It is an adventure novel about a 16 year-old boy called Pi, who survives after the ship wrecks. He stays with a tiger on the ocean for 227 days. In the novel, the author uses various literary devices to present different themes. One of those devices is symbolism. Its presence is shown everywhere in the novel and it helps readers to truly understand Pi’s fight for survival. The color orange, the Algae Island, “Pi”, and Richard Parker are some examples of symbolism. In Yann Martel’s Life of Pi, symbolism plays an important part.
Throughout the story, the color orange appears many times. It symbolizes survival and hope. Pi keeps hope when he is all alone on the lifeboat. When the ship sinks, a Chinese crewman gives Pi a life jacket with an orange whistle. “One of the men interrupted me by thrusting a life jacket into my arms and shouting something in Chinese. I noticed an orange whistle dangling from the life jacket.” (Martel 115). The orange whistle is very important for Pi’s survival because he uses it to train Richard Parker later on. The lifeboat and tarpaulin which are essential for him are also orange. All these orange objects help Pi survive the sinking of the ship and they are just like a sign saying that Pi will be safe. They are associated with hope for future, that Pi will survive even though he finds himself in tough situations. Moving back to the scene which the narrator visits adult Pi’s home, Pi’s daughter carries an orange cat. “She’s holding an orange cat in her arms....The animal seems quite relaxed about being stretched on the rack in this summer.” (Martel 89). This moment assures the readers that the story has a happy ending. The little orange cat also recalls the big orange cat, Richard Parker, who helps Pi survive during 227 days at sea. All the orange objects contribute to the survival of Pi