The document summarizes important elements of the novel Life of Pi by Yann Martel. It discusses motifs of belief vs. factuality and reality being a form of story. It also outlines the symbolism of the animals on the lifeboat representing aspects of human nature. The document analyzes the literary form, tone that shifts from naive to pessimistic to reaffirming life, and perspective of the frame narrative structure.

1. Life of Pi
Important Elements To Think
About/Know
Life of
Pi

2. Motifs
• Belief and Imagination vs. Factuality
• Much of Martel’s novel deals with the concept of
belief. In this situation, belief does not
necessarily mean faith, but recognition of a story
as truth. Martel illustrates that everything is a
story, both reality and religion. He suggests that
it matters not which is believed as truth, but that
belief is present. Martel uses these three sub-
motifs to further his point.

3. Reality
• “In both stories the ship sinks, my entire family dies and I
suffer…so tell me, since there is no factual difference to
you and you can’t prove the question either way, which
story do you prefer?”
• According to Martel reality is another form of a
story, one that can be believed or rejected as
with any other. Pi is forced to tell another tale,
the supposed truth. Pi finds the Japanese
men’s disbelief ridiculous.

4. Beast Fable
• Pi’s journey on the lifeboat with the tiger
can be interpreted as a beast fable. In
these tales, animals are used to illustrate
morals. In this sense, the allegory of the
animals is apparent according to what
each animal symbolizes.

5. Symbolism
• All the animals represent different
characteristics of the human condition Pi
represents the spirituality
• Richard Parker represents animalistic
necessity
• Orange Juice/Orangutan represents motherly
instinct
• Hyena represents cowardice
• Zebra represents individuality

6. Literary Form
• Point of View/Perspective
• Martel wrote Life of Pi in a frame narrative, or
“a story within a story.”
• In the author's note, the fictionalized author
tells his own reasoning for recounting Pi's life
(italicized portions).
• Pi tells the story of his family and his
experience in the Pacific.

7. Tone
• There are three essential tones within the
novel.
1.Beginning
Naïve/ innocent- Pi, a child, seems innocent
and full of life and energy as he explores the
world and all that is in it. “Life is so beautiful
that death has fallen in love with it.”

8. Tone cont’d
2. Pessimistic
Pessimism/Fear- witnesses the death of his entire
family/stranded on a lifeboat with a Bengal Tiger. In
this section, Pi is forced to grow up and take care of
himself. Pi states “No! No! No! My suffering does
matter. I want to live! I can’t help but mix my life with
that of the universe. Life is a peephole, a single tiny
entry onto a vastness—how can I not dwell on this
brief, cramped view I have of things.” Pi is forced by
the situation to face reality and witness the darker
side of life.

9. Tone cont’d
3. Reaffirming
Reaffirmation towards life- despite the
physical, mental, and emotional pain Pi has
endured, he ends his journey as a man with a
newfound respect for life. He understands
“the process of life.” He acknowledges that
the experiences during our lives create the
real meaning of who we are.

10. Tone cont’d
3. Reaffirming
Reaffirmation towards life- despite the
physical, mental, and emotional pain Pi has
endured, he ends his journey as a man with a
newfound respect for life. He understands
“the process of life.” He acknowledges that
the experiences during our lives create the
real meaning of who we are.