Clearly, the title connects with the novel’s protagonist Piscine Molitor Patel, whose name was shortened to Pi. It is essential to note the mathematical significance that Pi is associated with. Pi in mathematics is a value defined by a circle’s circumference divided by its diameter. Most importantly, the value of Pi is irrational, meaning it never ends.
While first reading this novel, the reader may read it as a story truly representing the life and experiences of Pi. Therefore, it would be logical that the title would be The Life of Pi. However, that would mean that the story of Pi is a singular life. Instead, Martel deliberately takes out the article in order to establish the notion that even if the actual life of Pi is finite, the story and meanings from his life extend forever. This again can be connected back to his name, Pi. His story, like the mathematical representation, never ends.
Martel speaks of the story of Pi extending forever because his story extends past a story and connects with other entities. For example, he begins the novel with elaborate stories about the Zoo. On page 30, there is a woman who, for no good reason, waves her Sari into the cage and is trampled but ends up being okay because there were men ready to help her.
The story ends there, but the meaning extends further. Martel uses this moment to represent the injustice behind greed that plagues the world. Martel uses the woman with the Sari to represent the privileged in the world. The privileged can practically do whatever they want and still get away with it without being harmed in any fashion.
Martel utilizes connections like these throughout the entirety of the novel. Therefore, the extent of Pi’s story may end with the novel, but the meaning extends further. As a result, Life of Pi is a better title than The Life of Pi.
Brian, I really like how you connected the idea that there was no “the” to the fact that the book didn’t just concern Pi’s life, but that it stretched to things far outside of it. There are a lot of instances where the book talks about topics that extend far beyond the scope of Pi’s life, especially in topics like greed or religion. It’s interesting how Pi relates greatly to the infinite, both with his name and his attitudes/beliefs toward life. Like you said, it’s intriguing how the lack of “The” makes it apparent that this book isn’t about a singular life, and that it encompasses many lives, and the rest of the world in some ways. You also talked about Pi being infinite, and it’s also interesting how Pi, being a mathematical constant, implies that the stories presented in this story are also part of a universal constant. - Hiroki Uemura
Clearly, the title connects with the novel’s protagonist Piscine Molitor Patel, whose name was shortened to Pi. It is essential to note the mathematical significance that Pi is associated with. Pi in mathematics is a value defined by a circle’s circumference divided by its diameter. Most importantly, the value of Pi is irrational, meaning it never ends.
ReplyDeleteWhile first reading this novel, the reader may read it as a story truly representing the life and experiences of Pi. Therefore, it would be logical that the title would be The Life of Pi. However, that would mean that the story of Pi is a singular life. Instead, Martel deliberately takes out the article in order to establish the notion that even if the actual life of Pi is finite, the story and meanings from his life extend forever. This again can be connected back to his name, Pi. His story, like the mathematical representation, never ends.
Martel speaks of the story of Pi extending forever because his story extends past a story and connects with other entities. For example, he begins the novel with elaborate stories about the Zoo. On page 30, there is a woman who, for no good reason, waves her Sari into the cage and is trampled but ends up being okay because there were men ready to help her.
The story ends there, but the meaning extends further. Martel uses this moment to represent the injustice behind greed that plagues the world. Martel uses the woman with the Sari to represent the privileged in the world. The privileged can practically do whatever they want and still get away with it without being harmed in any fashion.
Martel utilizes connections like these throughout the entirety of the novel. Therefore, the extent of Pi’s story may end with the novel, but the meaning extends further. As a result, Life of Pi is a better title than The Life of Pi.
- Brian Yoon
Brian, I really like how you connected the idea that there was no “the” to the fact that the book didn’t just concern Pi’s life, but that it stretched to things far outside of it. There are a lot of instances where the book talks about topics that extend far beyond the scope of Pi’s life, especially in topics like greed or religion. It’s interesting how Pi relates greatly to the infinite, both with his name and his attitudes/beliefs toward life.
DeleteLike you said, it’s intriguing how the lack of “The” makes it apparent that this book isn’t about a singular life, and that it encompasses many lives, and the rest of the world in some ways. You also talked about Pi being infinite, and it’s also interesting how Pi, being a mathematical constant, implies that the stories presented in this story are also part of a universal constant.
- Hiroki Uemura