WELCOME

Welcome to my blog :) This blog was created as a culminating task for my grade 12 English class. The purpose of this culminating task is to select an exemplary theme that is present in one the units studied (For example: Poetry, Hamlet or Life of Pi) and to explore its relation within the material studied as well as different genres. The text that I chose to work with is Life of Pi. I hope you enjoy my blog! 

WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS NOVEL?

 Individuals all come across difficulties that must be overcome. Sometimes it is necessary for people to change themselves in order to accept different options. Pi Patel – for instance – has an ultimate battle to survive while a castaway in the middle of nowhere. He is forced to change his lifestyle and contradict his lifelong values for the sake of survival. Ultimately – it is evident that the main theme of this novel is that man will transform himself in any way possible to ensure survival. 

VEGETARIAN → OMNIVORE

In the most desperate situations individuals will find themselves changing their values and basic lifestyle. For instance - to fulfill his hunger needs while a castaway, the protagonist of this novel abandons his lifelong vegetarianism and embarks on a new path as an omnivore. Pi Patel has found himself in a situation he has never dreamt of before - unfortunately the absence of nutritious food has led him to feed himself with the animals he captures at sea: “ I took a knife and skinned it instead… I ate the bird’s heart, liver, lungs. I swallowed its eyes and tongue with a gulp of water” (Martel, 257). This is a choice he is forced to make to ensure his survival or else he would starve and eventually reach an undeserving death. He rebelled and began to eat meat on a regular basis… soon enough he became accustomed to this drastic change. Ultimately for survival he deserted his vegetarian lifestyle to feed himself with the flesh of the animals that surrounded him. 

OMEGA → ALPHA

Reserved individuals have to break out of their shell to take control when it is an absolute necessity. With the intention of eliminating danger from his greatest predator - Richard Parker - Pi Patel beings to transform himself from an omega into an alpha male. He was taught at a young age the dangerousness of associating with animals such as tigers and fortunately – he was wise enough to never do so. Pi Patel could never face a tiger on his own and he was aware of that knowledge. However when placed in a scenario where a tiger is his one and only companion – boundaries need to be set straight and more or less it’s one man or the other. Pi Patel is forced to overcome his fear and take on the role of a ringleader. His survival in one-way or another depended on showing his dominance to the tiger: “I had to tame him. It was at that moment I realized this necessity” (Martel, 181). He came to a point of realization – he would not be able to survive if all he showed was fear towards the tiger. Richard Parker was definitely a threat to Pi Patel therefore he had to establish dominance and behave similar to an alpha male even though it was beyond his regular self. 

CIVIL → SAVAGE

This picture above shows a spiritual individual who is connecting with god through means of praying. This is a peaceful picture and it reflects Pi Patel  before embarking on a life-changing journey. 

This picture above shows a lion viciously tearing apart an innocent creature to fulfill its hunger needs. This lion’s behaviour can be compared to Pi Patel’s behavior while a castaway. This picture shows violence while the above picture shows tranquility. 

A civil individual will easily become a savage beast if he or she must overcome horrific conditions. The main character of this novel was a polite and spiritual being who respected everyone whom entered his life. He had no intention to harm living and breathing creatures however this easily changed when he was alone and hungry at sea. He becomes restless and in desperate need for food therefore he slaughters animals. Pi Patel transforms into his alter ego for the purpose of surviving. He becomes accustomed to butchering these innocent lives that he shows no mercy after the tenth time or so: “You may be astonished that in such a short period of time I could go from weeping over the muffled killing of a flying fish to gleefully bludgeoning to death a dorado…It is simple and brutal: a person can get used to anything, even killing” (Martel, 205). Pi Patel’s life back home was completely different than his life in the middle of the ocean. His parents no longer fulfill his basic needs and wants – he himself must do whatever it takes to ensure these necessities are present… and this includes becoming a savage beast. It is true that this young man values the lives of living creatures but it is also true that he will go against all his beliefs and values when placed in a life-changing situation. 

CHAMELEON

Chameleons have the ability to camouflage. In face of a predator these unique creatures change both the colour and pattern of their skin to blend in with their surroundings. Their predators are unable to detect them because of their oneness with the environment.  Chameleons change their appearance for the sake of survival similar to the main character of the novel as he had to change himself and his values in order to survive while a castaway.