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Argumentative Essay On Life Of Pi

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Argumentative Essay On Life Of Pi
When the main character is under circumstances where he is lost at sea and fighting for his life the reader immediately thinks of archetypal survival novels such as Robinson Crusoe or Shipwrecked. Yann Martel separates Life of Pi from other novels, by adding multiple dimensions and plot twists. This makes it much more than a survival story. Martel guides the reader through multiple versions of reality, drops barriers between truth and fiction and offers a change from a typical narrative style. Life of Pi is the story of Piscine (Pi) Patel’s journey to Canada. The plot changes when the Tsintsum a freighter used to take the Patel family and an ark’s worth of zoo animals to North America mysteriously sinks. Pi must fight for his life while …show more content…
Is it possible to belong to more than one religion? Piscine believes so and participates in Hinduism, Catholicism and Islam. Pi can choose the best aspects from each; his love of God is not restricted by one religion. When Pi is confronted by his parents about practicing multiple religions, he replies “Bapu Gandhi said ‘All religions are true.’ I just want to love God.” The reader’s understanding of truth and fiction is challenged when Pi describes his experiences with Richard Parker. Although Pi is afraid of the tiger when first on the lifeboat, he is disappointed with the journey’s end. He regrets not having the opportunity to say “It’s over. We have survived. Can you believe it? I owe you more gratitude than I can express. I couldn’t have done it without you.” Tigers are vicious animals. When Piscine is young, his father demonstrates how dangerous tigers are by placing a goat in the tiger’s lair and making Pi witness the brutality of a savage tiger. Ironically, Richard Parker saves Pi from himself. Piscine admits “without Richard Parker, I wouldn’t be alive today to tell you my story.” It is difficult to believe that throughout hardship, Pi’s faith holds strong. Can a story of suffering prove existence of God? Pi is ignored by God. His family, possessions and lifestyle were mercilessly ripped away. However, at the end of this suffering his faith is stronger than
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