Meerkats are on the island because it’s an added detail of impossibility. Throughout the entirety of Life of Pi, we’ve encountered details of things considered impossible. Pi practices 3 religions, he survived on a boat lost at sea for 227 with a tiger, all things considered “impossible”. Meerkats being the chosen animal to dwell on the carnivorous island both fitting and significant because of the meerkat’s traits. They’re not found anywhere else in the world naturally except for in Southern Africa. What are the odds they’d be found on a carnivorous floating island in the middle of the ocean? Furthermore, they are carnivorous, like the island, so it is fitting for them to be there. Not to mention, meerkats are unsuspecting of who they are. Just from their sub 18-inch stature, you would never anticipate for them to be carnivorous animals. However, it’s because of their unsuspecting nature and the fact that they’re not found worldwide is likely why they were the animal on the island. Their sheer rarity in terms of places they’re found, as well as their diet gave them the perfect characteristic to be the animal on the island.
I agree with your interpretation of the meerkats Conner. Meerkats are very unsuspecting creatures that seem harmless without additional research. I think another added aspect of meerkats being the animals on the island is that meerkats seem so innocent, like Pi’s first impression of the island. It’s not until later that Pi realizes the island is slowly consuming him and Richard Parker. I remember reading once that meerkats are the mammal most likely to kill one of its own kind, which may be a statement about humans and their violent nature. The island may be a symbol for society, meerkats representing humans. -Lauren Lee
I definitely agree with the idea that meerkats add a sense of impossibility to the story. Additionally, meerkats also represent the embodiment of herd behavior. Meerkats, like sheep, don’t question their environment. They follow the “herd” despite of the existence of threats. For instance, the carnivorous island itself has trapped the meerkats and treated them as slaves. Furthermore, when Richard Parker attacks the meerkats, many don’t flee the danger. They simply watch their fellow meerkats being eaten by the new threat. One might expect the meerkats to then fear Pi, as he may also pose a threat to the herd of meerkats. Despite of this, the meerkats rally around Pi during the night and even cuddle him for warmth. This persistence and lack of awareness truly represents the meerkats’ herd behavior.
Meerkats are on the island because it’s an added detail of impossibility. Throughout the entirety of Life of Pi, we’ve encountered details of things considered impossible. Pi practices 3 religions, he survived on a boat lost at sea for 227 with a tiger, all things considered “impossible”. Meerkats being the chosen animal to dwell on the carnivorous island both fitting and significant because of the meerkat’s traits. They’re not found anywhere else in the world naturally except for in Southern Africa. What are the odds they’d be found on a carnivorous floating island in the middle of the ocean? Furthermore, they are carnivorous, like the island, so it is fitting for them to be there. Not to mention, meerkats are unsuspecting of who they are. Just from their sub 18-inch stature, you would never anticipate for them to be carnivorous animals. However, it’s because of their unsuspecting nature and the fact that they’re not found worldwide is likely why they were the animal on the island. Their sheer rarity in terms of places they’re found, as well as their diet gave them the perfect characteristic to be the animal on the island.
ReplyDeleteConner Gruezo
I agree with your interpretation of the meerkats Conner. Meerkats are very unsuspecting creatures that seem harmless without additional research. I think another added aspect of meerkats being the animals on the island is that meerkats seem so innocent, like Pi’s first impression of the island. It’s not until later that Pi realizes the island is slowly consuming him and Richard Parker. I remember reading once that meerkats are the mammal most likely to kill one of its own kind, which may be a statement about humans and their violent nature. The island may be a symbol for society, meerkats representing humans.
Delete-Lauren Lee
I definitely agree with the idea that meerkats add a sense of impossibility to the story. Additionally, meerkats also represent the embodiment of herd behavior. Meerkats, like sheep, don’t question their environment. They follow the “herd” despite of the existence of threats. For instance, the carnivorous island itself has trapped the meerkats and treated them as slaves. Furthermore, when Richard Parker attacks the meerkats, many don’t flee the danger. They simply watch their fellow meerkats being eaten by the new threat. One might expect the meerkats to then fear Pi, as he may also pose a threat to the herd of meerkats. Despite of this, the meerkats rally around Pi during the night and even cuddle him for warmth. This persistence and lack of awareness truly represents the meerkats’ herd behavior.
ReplyDelete^Natalie
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