Comparing Life Of Pi And Yann Martel's Inferno

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Yann Martel’s novel, Life of Pi, and Jorge Luis Borges’ poem, “Inferno I, 32”, the main characters all go through religious experiences and tribulations that shape them forever. Martel’s Pi sees God in a tiger named Richard Parker. He has a great appreciation and fear of him because he has given and taken so much away for him, just like Borges’ God that visits the leopard and Dante. All three experience a moment of clarity before losing a piece of their soul.
Religion has a profound affect and important place in both stories, shaping the characters and the tone. Pi sees something greater than himself in Richard Parker, something endlessly beautiful and complex. Richard Parker symbolizes God to Pi. His features are amazing but he sees things in his stare that are parallels to his three religions, Islam, Hinduism, and Christianity. It was “... intense, cold and unflinching, not flighty or friendly, and spoke of self-possession on the point of exploding with rage” (Martel 152). The amber eyes of Richard Parker, having so many emotions and characteristics, are similar to how Vishnu’s mouth holds the universe. When he washes up in Mexico and Richard Parker disappears, it is because he does not need him anymore but he is still with him, …show more content…

Pi completely understands the dangers of Mahisha and tigers afterwards, the threat having been witnessed. This is another disparity between the two stories. God had a more gentle approach to revealing his truths while Pi’s father used visuals. Borges’ God revealed to the leopard and Dante their purpose and Pi’s father revealed to him the dangers of the tiger. A shocking truth was given to all of them, but the importance and degree of them varied. The two stories have many similarities, connecting both with religion and the effects of an

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