Pi, throughout the book, has shown his preference towards the non-logical, just for the sake of believing.
This can be seen since the beginning of the book. Not only does Pi practice religion, which is a leap of faith in of itself, since you need to “believe” in God to have faith, he practices three different religions, three different faiths, which means three different ways to to believe in a higher power
He also continually criticized agnostics, for choosing to live in doubt and not picking a side (64). Regardless of whether you choose to be an atheist or a theist, there is a sense of belief required. There is no way to prove either side, that God does or doesn’t exist, so you just have to believe that it’s true, regardless of logic. As Pi criticizes those who live in doubt, his preference for believability can be seen once again
Additionally, after the Tsimtsum crashes, when everything seems to have no positive outcome - he had lost his family, his extended family (animals from the zoo), and the fact that he was stranded in the middle of the Pacific Ocean (107) - Pi uses hope to keep him going. Even though, when thinking rationally, there was such a small chance of him surviving, he uses hope to keep him going, and believes that he will be okay
Throughout the novel, Pi simply believes, without using logic or thinking rationally, and it seems to be a major guiding force in his life, which explains why he questions the investigators at the end of the book the way he did.
Hey Akhil! I really like that you turned this into a question of how Pi chooses nonreason over reason more often than not, and used evidence from throughout the book to support your answer. I agree that by choosing to practice three distinct religions, Pi is demonstrating his lack of regard for believability. Even believing in one religion shows a willingness to imagine, but the fact that Pi believes in three demonstrates that he doesn’t need something to be “believable” for him to believe it. I also like your reference to Pi struggling onward in the middle of the sea despite his prospects of survival being next to none.
Another thing that Pi says that cements his preference toward imagination over reality is the idea of “yeastless factuality.” Comparing a story to a loaf of bread, Pi claims that a story based entirely on truth doesn’t rise, similar to a loaf of bread made without yeast, thus failing to attract the attention of the audience. On the other hand, a story sprinkled with bits of imagination will entertain and satisfy the reader, even providing a sense of finality.
Pi, throughout the book, has shown his preference towards the non-logical, just for the sake of believing.
ReplyDeleteThis can be seen since the beginning of the book. Not only does Pi practice religion, which is a leap of faith in of itself, since you need to “believe” in God to have faith, he practices three different religions, three different faiths, which means three different ways to to believe in a higher power
He also continually criticized agnostics, for choosing to live in doubt and not picking a side (64). Regardless of whether you choose to be an atheist or a theist, there is a sense of belief required. There is no way to prove either side, that God does or doesn’t exist, so you just have to believe that it’s true, regardless of logic. As Pi criticizes those who live in doubt, his preference for believability can be seen once again
Additionally, after the Tsimtsum crashes, when everything seems to have no positive outcome - he had lost his family, his extended family (animals from the zoo), and the fact that he was stranded in the middle of the Pacific Ocean (107) - Pi uses hope to keep him going. Even though, when thinking rationally, there was such a small chance of him surviving, he uses hope to keep him going, and believes that he will be okay
Throughout the novel, Pi simply believes, without using logic or thinking rationally, and it seems to be a major guiding force in his life, which explains why he questions the investigators at the end of the book the way he did.
Hey Akhil! I really like that you turned this into a question of how Pi chooses nonreason over reason more often than not, and used evidence from throughout the book to support your answer. I agree that by choosing to practice three distinct religions, Pi is demonstrating his lack of regard for believability. Even believing in one religion shows a willingness to imagine, but the fact that Pi believes in three demonstrates that he doesn’t need something to be “believable” for him to believe it. I also like your reference to Pi struggling onward in the middle of the sea despite his prospects of survival being next to none.
DeleteAnother thing that Pi says that cements his preference toward imagination over reality is the idea of “yeastless factuality.” Comparing a story to a loaf of bread, Pi claims that a story based entirely on truth doesn’t rise, similar to a loaf of bread made without yeast, thus failing to attract the attention of the audience. On the other hand, a story sprinkled with bits of imagination will entertain and satisfy the reader, even providing a sense of finality.
Good answer!