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Introduction

Introduction ~ Author
Yann Martel
Born June 25, 1963 in Salamanca, Spain Now lives in Canada

Travelled Iran, Turkey, and India Started writing at age 27 To write Life of Pi
Six months spent in India visiting mosques, temples, churches and zoos An entire year reading religious texts and castaway stories Actual writing: two more years

Story Overview
The protagonist Piscine ("Pi") Molitor Patel An Indian boy from Pondicherry, India Exploring the issues of religion and spirituality from an early age His survival story: 227 days shipwrecked with a tiger in the Pacific Ocean

Characters
Piscine Molitor Patel (Pi)
Protagonist of the story The narrator for most of the novel Infatuated with religion Later becomes a student of zoology and religion Deeply intrigued by the habits and characteristics of animals and people

Characters
Richard Parker
The Royal Bengal tiger sharing a lifeboat with Pi 450 pounds and about nine feet long From the Pondicherry Zoo Governed by Animal Instincts

Characters
The Author
The narrator of the (fictitious) Authors Note Inserts himself into the narrative at several points throughout the text Never identified by name Yann Martel? He lives in Canada Published two books Inspired to write Pis life story during a trip to India

Characters
Francis Adirubasamy
The elderly man Tells the author Pis story during a meeting in a Pondicherry coffee shop Taught Pi to swim Helped name Pi Pi calls him Mamaji (Indian: respected uncle)

Characters
Ravi Pis older brother Typical older brother Teases his younger brother mercilessly over his devotion to three religions

Characters
Santosh Patel
Pis father More of a business man than a zoologist Runs the Pondicherry Zoo A worrier by nature Teaching his sons not only to care for and control wild animals, but to fear them Decided to move his family to Canada

Characters
Gita Patel Pis beloved mother and protector Studied botany, therefore enjoys working with plants and herbs. Encourages Pi to read widely Speaks her mind Tries to keep the peace and please everyone Taught Pi about Hinduism

Characters
The Hyena
Ugly and intensely violent Controlling the lifeboat before Richard Parker emerges Symbolic of savagery and impulse

The Zebra
A beautiful male Grants zebra His leg broken jumping into the lifeboat Symbolic of naivety

Orange Juice
Maternal orangutan Floating to the lifeboat on a raft of bananas Symbolic of courage and defiance

Organization of the Book


Three parts:
First section: an adult Pi Patels rumination over his childhood Second section: a blend of a detailed and realistic survival memoir and a fantastic allegory in a medieval style Last section:
The report to the Japanese government A choice to actually choose the story version the readers prefer

Symbolism
The animals Algae Island The color orange Pi himself Tsimtsum Ship

Motifs
Territorial Dominance Hunger and Thirst Ritual

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