20-1 Life of Pi Inquiry Project

Then the elderly man said, I have a story that will make you believe in God. (Authors Note, 3)

Focus for Inquiry: Life of Pi is an allegorical novel; whichever assignment option you choose, be sure to explore it
through the lens of authorial purpose what are the lessons here? What does Martel want to communicate to the
reader, and how does he achieve this end?
Choose one of the three options below to help guide and direct your inquiry in our novel study.

Option 1: Religious Significance
Explore the influence of Pis religious beliefs on his personal character, actions, and choices through the novel. You
should explore the three religious systems of belief that Pi ascribes to, and the affect these beliefs have on his life and
journey. What aspects of belief is Martel communicating in Pis story? How have Pis religious beliefs evolved as the
story progresses?
Option 2: Challenge for Survival
Explore the various aspects of conflict that arise for Pi on his journey. Include analysis of and purpose for Pis physical,
emotional, and psychological hardships. In what ways do these experiences reflect Pis beliefs? In what ways do these
experiences affect or change Pi? What are the consequences of these experiences? Be sure to develop perspectives
about each of the three types of hardships. You should be referencing/ addressing these ideas with Maslows hierarchy
of needs as well.
Option 3: The Choice is Yours
Explore the contrast that exists between the two stories, and the purpose for this contrast. Which story does Martel
want the reader to choose? Why is this choice important? What kinds of ideas/ concepts/ are attached to this idea of
choice and belief? In what ways is each story significant to Pi?


Each project should include:

Reference to the symbolism that is present/ related to the topic of inquiry

Reference to the significant relationships (dynamics of the relationships) affected by the chosen topic

Reference to Pis attitude towards God, and/ or any significant changes to Pis beliefs as they occur in
relation to your chosen topic

Journal entries should be submitted along with project I will provide you with topics to begin with, and
then gradually you will focus on recording ideas that relate most strongly to your chosen inquiry topic.



Project Form

Visual and written pieces to present ideas and information. The form this project will take is up to you; you must choose
a form that allows you to present information gathered, connections made, and conclusions reached.

A few ideas below; if you have an idea that you are unsure of, please clear it with me first to make sure it will allow you
to present all required aspects of this project.

A photo essay with written captions
A series of scrapbook pages
Pis Journal - including photographs or sketches, and journal entries written from Pis point of view
A Prezi or PowerPoint presentation
A very detailed storyboard or graphic novel
A diorama or series of dioramas/ vignettes of the ideas you are presenting

*Remember, projects should include journal entries that you have completed as well.

4 3 2 1
Written
Pieces
Ideas are well and
clearly communicated;
insightful and precise
explanation/
exploration of ideas
given
Ideas are clearly
communicated;
knowledgeable and
appropriate
explanation/ exploration
of ideas given
Ideas are
communicated;
sufficient explanation/
exploration of ideas
given
Ideas are minimally
communicated;
sufficient explanation/
exploration of ideas
given
Visual Pieces Visuals are relevant to
project, explanation
has been included
where appropriate/
for clarity; Visual
communication of
ideas is very effective
Visuals are relevant to
project, fairly sufficient
explanation has been
included where
appropriate/ for clarity;
Visual communication of
ideas is fairly effective
Visuals are somewhat
relevant to project,
some explanation has
been included where
appropriate/ for clarity,
but may be somewhat
insufficient; Visual
communication of
ideas is somewhat
effective
Visuals are minimally
relevant to project,
some explanation has
been attempted, but
may be unclear; Visual
communication of
ideas is minimally
effective
Evidentiary
Support
Quotes and/or specific
material used from
the text well and
effectively supports
ideas
Quotes and/or specific
material used from the
text strongly supports
ideas
Quotes and/or specific
material used from the
text somewhat
supports ideas
Quotes and/or specific
material used from the
text minimally supports
ideas
Symbolism Relevant, significant
symbol(s) have been
specifically and
insightfully referenced
Relevant, important
symbol(s) have been
generally referenced
Related symbols have
been generally
referenced

Somewhat related
symbols have been
generally referenced

Relationship
dynamics and
significance
Significant characters/
significant actions of
minor characters have
been well referenced
and clearly addressed
Significant characters/
significant actions of
minor characters have
been generally
referenced and
addressed
Significant characters/
significant actions of
minor characters have
been somewhat
referenced and
addressed
Significant characters/
significant actions of
minor characters have
been minimally
referenced and clearly
addressed


Life of Pi Vocabulary

Allah: the Supreme Being; God.

Ashram: a secluded building, often the residence of a guru, used for religious retreat or instruction in Hinduism.

Atman: the individual self, known after enlightenment to be identical with Brahman. (Hinduism)

Baptism: a ceremonial immersion in water, or application of water, as an initiatory rite or sacrament of the Christian
church

Bapu Gandhi: In India he is known as the father of the nation

Boli: a style of music popular in Punjab

Brahman: a member of the highest, or priestly, class among the Hindus

Dhikr: a meeting of dervishes at which a phrase containing a name of God is chanted rhythmically to induce a state of
ecstasy. (Islam)

Fundamentalism: a movement in American Protestantism that arose in the early part of the 20th century in reaction to
modernism and that stresses the infallibility of the Bible not only in matters of faith and morals but also as a literal
historical record, holding as essential to Christian faith belief in such doctrines as the creation of the world, the virgin
birth, physical resurrection, atonement by the sacrificial death of Christ, and the Second Coming.

Ganesha: the Hindu god of wisdom

Hafiz: a title of respect for a Muslim who knows the Quran (Koran) by heart

Hajj: the pilgrimage to Mecca, which every adult Muslim is supposed to make at least once in his or her lifetime

Holy of Holies: a place of special sacredness

Imam: the title for a Muslim religious leader or chief

Jesus: the source of the Christian religion

Kaaba: a cube-shaped building in Mecca, the most sacred Muslim pilgrim shrine, into which is built the black stone
believed to have been given by Gabriel to Abraham. Muslims turn in its direction when praying

Kabbalist: an ancient Jewish mystical tradition based on an esoteric interpretation of the Old Testament

Krishna: Hinduism. An avatar of Vishnu and one of the most popular of Indian deities
Lakshmi: the Hindu goddess of fortune

Limbo, also known as Purgatory: related to Roman Catholic Theology; a region on the border of hell or heaven, serving
as the abode after death of unbaptized infants and of the righteous who died before the coming of Christ

Literalism: adherence to the exact letter or the literal sense, as in translation or interpretation

Manna: the food miraculously supplied to the Israelites in the wilderness

Miracle: such an effect or event manifesting or considered as a work of God

Mosque: a Muslim temple or place of public worship

Muhammad: Arab prophet; founder of Islam

Mystic: involving or characterized by esoteric, otherworldly, or symbolic practices or content, as certain religious
ceremonies and art; spiritually significant

Nataraja: The Lord (or King) of Dance, Tamil

Pandit: a man in India esteemed for his wisdom or learning: often used as a title of respect.

Parvati: key figure in Hinduism; the wife of Shiva and the benevolent form of the Mother Goddess.

Prayer rug: a small rug upon which a Muslim kneels and prostrates himself during his devotions

Quran: Koran which is a sacred text of Islam

Rabbi: the chief religious official of a synagogue

Salaam Alaykum: peace to you used as a traditional greeting among Muslims

Samskara: A purification ceremony or rite marking a major event in ones life

Sanctum: a sacred or holy place.

Shakti: key figure in Hinduism; the female principle or organ of generative power

Shiva: key figure in Hinduism; the Destroyer, the third member of the Trimurti, along with Brahma the Creator and
Vishnu the Preserver

Sikh: a member of a monotheistic religion, that refuses to recognize the Hindu caste system or the Brahmanical
priesthood and forbids magic, idolatry, and pilgrimages
Sufi: a member of an ascetic, mystical Muslim sect

Swami: an honorific title given to a Hindu religious teacher

Temple: an edifice or place dedicated to the service or worship of a deity or deities

Vishnu: key figure in Hinduism; the Preserver, the second member of the Trimurti, along with Brahma the Creator and
Shiva the Destroyer

Yashoda: She is the symbol of motherhood in all the stories about Krishna

Zoomorphism: the attribution of animal forms or qualities to a god. Anthropomorphism is related, but not the same.