Life Of Pi Human Nature Essay

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What does it mean to be human? Depending on who you ask you are liable to get vastly different answers, if it is a question that can be answered. Of all the possibilities of answers, there are typically two distinct patterns of thought; either we are no different from animals whose primary goal in life is to survive, or we are the chosen ones of some mysterious higher being to lead meaningful lives. The same sort of conflict is at the core of Yann Martel’s Life of Pi, as seen through the main character Pi Patel. At first it may not seem as such, but after investigating certain trends it can be interpreted as an exposé on the true essence of human nature, most specifically in relation to God. Another words in Life of Pi, Martel examines the role religion has in influencing human nature.
One of the most defining things about Pi’s character is that he is a “Christ figure”(Foster), the first shred of evidence is in his name Piscine Molitor Patel. He was named after a Parisian swimming pool that Mamaji described as being “a pool that the gods would have delighted to swim in” (Martel 11). The …show more content…

The Odyssey details the mishaps of Ulysses in his travels to return home following the Trojan war. Similar events that take place in the Odyssey transpire in Life of Pi, political tension forces the Patel family to leave India, and on their journey to Canada an act of God causes the boat to sink killing most of those on board. God appears to be both against and with Pi, which is how it was in the Odyssey. In Pi’s case in is less obvious, but is intentional to further his character and relationship with God. Ulysses and Pi’s missions are also similar; both wish to return to their lives they left behind before they were driven away from their families. Although, Pi’s family died in the shipwreck the hope of seeing them keeps him going on, and eventually he does get his family

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