The 2 Mr. Kumars bond in their marveling at a zebra (pp. 83-84) and then a zebra is the first animal killed in the lifeboat. What's with all the zebras? Are these scenes connected in some way? Why a zebra (vs. any other animal)?
Prior to looking at what the zebras may symbolize, it is important to understand what the two Mr.Kumars symbolize. Though both are similar by name, Satish Kumar the baker, a man of Islamic faith, could not be any more different than Satish Kumar, the biology teacher, who is a man of atheistic beliefs. Islam, which is a monothestic religion in which its followers worship 5 times a day emphasizes their dedciation to God, while atheism involves those who have no belief in God’s existence. In fact Mr.Kumar the biology teacher even mentions that “religion is darkness(27)”. Darkness connotes unpleasant feelings and even a sense of being fearful, as no one can see through the dark. Mr.Kumar uses this comparison to display his beliefs of atheism, as he cannot not support the beliefs of God, in any religion, as God has never come to save him. Religions are unclear to him, and he may even fear religions, as science, which he abides his life by, cannot prove God’s existence, as this existence is in the realms of the unknown. Despite his atheistic beliefs, he still mentors Pi to value using doubt at certain times and not blindly following anything in life. On the other hand, Martel displays Mr.Kumar, the Islam teacher, as a simple baker whose genuine devoutness in Allah, or God, is admirable. He prays 5 times a day, has memorized the entirety of the Quran, and lives a straightforward life, in which he also guides Pi and mentors his way thorugh Islam. This Satish Kumar lives a life in which Islam is purposeful and acts as way of life, which is quite oppostie from the Mr.Kumar, the biology teacher, whose views of religion are a bit pessimistic. The interaction between these two mentors of Pi was most definitely purposeful, and Martel uses the zebra to weave the contrasting beliefs of the two Mr.Kumars together.
Martel has both Mr.Kumars appreciating the zebra, one appreciating its scientific beauty and one appreciating the zebra’s magnificence it exhibits. Mr.Kumar, the biology teacher says, “Equus burchelli boehmi(84)”, being the scientific term of a zebra, while Mr.Kumar, the baker, says “Allahu Akbar,(84)” meaning God is Great. Both expressions are their own unique way of appreciating the beauty the zebra has. Essentially, Martel is expressing that although religion and science may as well be polar opposites, they also work together and intertwine to form community, passion, and unity. Specifically, Martel uses the zebra as it often symbolizes community or unity in its herd, which he connects to people of different origins or beliefs, as they too can be connected like zebras. He emphasizes that unity is present among people with differences and that peace can be formed, however, later on in the book, also displays how fragile this unity really is. -Raza Mian (part 1)
I really like the background information you provided when differentiating the beliefs of the two Mr. Kumars. I thought your analysis was really detailed and well written especially when you talk about the different ways the zebra is appreciated in the book.
(Part 2) Later in the book, the zebra symbolizes one of the last essences of humanity remaining on the lifeboat. For the most part, it was a peaceful creature, simply minding its own space, until attacked by the hyena. Humanity, or maintaining a moral compass, with people respecting each other, is what the zebra meant aboard this boat. Oftentimes, maintaining unity and peace between different people is difficult and conflicts inevitably arise. Everyone on the lifeboat was on the verge of insanity and insanity began to overtake the small bits of humanity that were left. The hyena is a predator to the zebra, but also symbolizes this insanity that has no limit. The zebra was unable to defend itself, subjected to the psychotic murder done by the hyena. However, humanity and community still stand to put up a fight, as shown when the zebra was, “barking, snorting, and squealing… to defend itself.(125)” The line of various actions the zebra uses to stand up against the vicious hyena display its last stand to maintain community. Despite it being obvious that any animal would want to defend itself against a predator, the zebra symbolizing unity exposes that humanity is the first to go when mankind and animals alike are pushed above their limits. Due to Pi and the other animals starving for days and the extreme conditions of the ocean, they begin to take such berserk actions, as the hyena did with the zebra. Overall, the zebra brings mankind together, even to those with differences, whether religion or science; however, this sense of normality and peace the zebra exhibits is easily eliminated when mankind and animals are tested beyond their normal capabilities.
Yes, I love that you pointed out the symbolism between unity and humanity for the zebra and insanity for the hyena, especially how humanity (the zebra) puts up a fight but is the first to go in the chaos (the hyena) of the situations. Since Richard Parker kills the hyena, what does that signify about whether insanity prevails ultimately? -Nikhita Sathiyan
The use of zebras throughout various parts of Life of Pi portrays an extreme image of cruelty and suffering for an animal that generally represents qualities of community, freedom, balance, and individualism.
Primarily, the use of the 2 Mr. Kumars displays the interconnectedness of religions, showing how opposing world and faith views can coexist. Mr. Kumar, the biology teacher, was an avid believer in atheism. He acclaimed how “Reason is my prophet and it tells me that as a watch stops, so we die. (28)” Hence, he turned to reason and logic over nonreason and faith. His ideologies, in turn, became less faithful and reliant on the presence of God. Conversely, Mr. Kumar, the baker, participated heavily in the Islam religion. Pi reveals how Mr. Kumar “was a Sufi, a Muslim mystic. He sought fana, union with God, and his relationship with God was personal and loving. (61)”. Therefore, the biology teacher Mr. Kumar turned away from God, while the baker Mr. Kumar runs to him. The baker Mr. Kumar demonstrates the importance of religious and cultural practices to his faith. Despite contrasting ideologies of faith, the 2 Mr. Kumars bond in their marveling at a zebra (83-84). As they bond, Martel emphasizes how the zebra, alongside the 2 Mr. Kumars, and Pi can coexist peacefully with each other as a flourishing community. Additionally, when an “alert zebra had noticed the carrot and came up to the low fence (83)”, the animal displayed a sense of individualism and independence. All in all, this first scene illustrates the peacefulness, likely inflicted by the zebra, of individuals from opposing backgrounds and faiths.
Unlike the harmonious community from when the 2 Mr. Kumars bond in marveling at a zebra, the scene where the zebra slowly deteriorates in the lifeboat plays a significant role in establishing an image of suffering from one that was peaceful and had freedom. Remorsefully, Pi notes how “I have not forgotten that poor zebra and what it went through (hyena attacked zebra). Not a prayer goes by that I don’t think of it (120)” Thus, the cruelty of the hyena towards the zebra fueled a deep level of a desire for forgiveness from Pi. Pi’s need for forgiveness reflects the intense anguish, misery, and discomfort the zebra went through. Unlike the amicable animal at Pondicherry Zoo, the zebra becomes subjected to maltreatment and manipulation as a means for food. These scenes display an interconnection by establishing the extent of misery the zebra experienced after being thoroughly attacked and eaten by the savage hyena. A zebra plays the best role in being killed first due to the distinct, primitive qualities of the other animals on the lifeboat. A zebra represents community, harmony, freedom, peace, and individualism, contrasting the qualities of the other animals. Pi explains how “Orange Juice, with huffs and lip-smacking noises, turned away, and the hyena lowered its head and retreated behind the zebra’s butchered body (127)” after the animals became alarmed with the presence of sharks. Orange Juice illustrates a more maternal nature, contributing to her caring and compassionate qualities. Whereas, for a hyena, Pi notes how it “will drink from water even as it is urinating in it (117)”. Moreover, the hyena has a more disgusting and repugnant nature via extreme aggression. Richard Parker has a more primitive nature that is survival based, simply coexisting with the other animals. Martel uses the zebra to set a deep distinction between the zebra’s peaceful and unifying nature to one that is in anguish and misery.
Hello! I really like the parallel you pulled from both Mr. Kumars the idea that the zebra was something that connected the way people even if they were almost complete opposites. And I also like how you brought in the situation of the hyena and the zebra, how the two animals are portrayed so differently and this stark difference may be due to how Pi views the zebras initially. -Ahana Titus
Prior to looking at what the zebras may symbolize, it is important to understand what the two Mr.Kumars symbolize. Though both are similar by name, Satish Kumar the baker, a man of Islamic faith, could not be any more different than Satish Kumar, the biology teacher, who is a man of atheistic beliefs. Islam, which is a monothestic religion in which its followers worship 5 times a day emphasizes their dedciation to God, while atheism involves those who have no belief in God’s existence. In fact Mr.Kumar the biology teacher even mentions that “religion is darkness(27)”. Darkness connotes unpleasant feelings and even a sense of being fearful, as no one can see through the dark. Mr.Kumar uses this comparison to display his beliefs of atheism, as he cannot not support the beliefs of God, in any religion, as God has never come to save him. Religions are unclear to him, and he may even fear religions, as science, which he abides his life by, cannot prove God’s existence, as this existence is in the realms of the unknown. Despite his atheistic beliefs, he still mentors Pi to value using doubt at certain times and not blindly following anything in life. On the other hand, Martel displays Mr.Kumar, the Islam teacher, as a simple baker whose genuine devoutness in Allah, or God, is admirable. He prays 5 times a day, has memorized the entirety of the Quran, and lives a straightforward life, in which he also guides Pi and mentors his way thorugh Islam. This Satish Kumar lives a life in which Islam is purposeful and acts as way of life, which is quite oppostie from the Mr.Kumar, the biology teacher, whose views of religion are a bit pessimistic. The interaction between these two mentors of Pi was most definitely purposeful, and Martel uses the zebra to weave the contrasting beliefs of the two Mr.Kumars together.
ReplyDeleteMartel has both Mr.Kumars appreciating the zebra, one appreciating its scientific beauty and one appreciating the zebra’s magnificence it exhibits. Mr.Kumar, the biology teacher says, “Equus burchelli boehmi(84)”, being the scientific term of a zebra, while Mr.Kumar, the baker, says “Allahu Akbar,(84)” meaning God is Great. Both expressions are their own unique way of appreciating the beauty the zebra has. Essentially, Martel is expressing that although religion and science may as well be polar opposites, they also work together and intertwine to form community, passion, and unity. Specifically, Martel uses the zebra as it often symbolizes community or unity in its herd, which he connects to people of different origins or beliefs, as they too can be connected like zebras. He emphasizes that unity is present among people with differences and that peace can be formed, however, later on in the book, also displays how fragile this unity really is.
-Raza Mian (part 1)
I really like the background information you provided when differentiating the beliefs of the two Mr. Kumars. I thought your analysis was really detailed and well written especially when you talk about the different ways the zebra is appreciated in the book.
Delete-Michael Cheung
(Part 2)
ReplyDeleteLater in the book, the zebra symbolizes one of the last essences of humanity remaining on the lifeboat. For the most part, it was a peaceful creature, simply minding its own space, until attacked by the hyena. Humanity, or maintaining a moral compass, with people respecting each other, is what the zebra meant aboard this boat. Oftentimes, maintaining unity and peace between different people is difficult and conflicts inevitably arise. Everyone on the lifeboat was on the verge of insanity and insanity began to overtake the small bits of humanity that were left. The hyena is a predator to the zebra, but also symbolizes this insanity that has no limit. The zebra was unable to defend itself, subjected to the psychotic murder done by the hyena. However, humanity and community still stand to put up a fight, as shown when the zebra was, “barking, snorting, and squealing… to defend itself.(125)” The line of various actions the zebra uses to stand up against the vicious hyena display its last stand to maintain community. Despite it being obvious that any animal would want to defend itself against a predator, the zebra symbolizing unity exposes that humanity is the first to go when mankind and animals alike are pushed above their limits. Due to Pi and the other animals starving for days and the extreme conditions of the ocean, they begin to take such berserk actions, as the hyena did with the zebra. Overall, the zebra brings mankind together, even to those with differences, whether religion or science; however, this sense of normality and peace the zebra exhibits is easily eliminated when mankind and animals are tested beyond their normal capabilities.
- Raza Mian
Yes, I love that you pointed out the symbolism between unity and humanity for the zebra and insanity for the hyena, especially how humanity (the zebra) puts up a fight but is the first to go in the chaos (the hyena) of the situations. Since Richard Parker kills the hyena, what does that signify about whether insanity prevails ultimately?
Delete-Nikhita Sathiyan
The use of zebras throughout various parts of Life of Pi portrays an extreme image of cruelty and suffering for an animal that generally represents qualities of community, freedom, balance, and individualism.
ReplyDeletePrimarily, the use of the 2 Mr. Kumars displays the interconnectedness of religions, showing how opposing world and faith views can coexist. Mr. Kumar, the biology teacher, was an avid believer in atheism. He acclaimed how “Reason is my prophet and it tells me that as a watch stops, so we die. (28)” Hence, he turned to reason and logic over nonreason and faith. His ideologies, in turn, became less faithful and reliant on the presence of God. Conversely, Mr. Kumar, the baker, participated heavily in the Islam religion. Pi reveals how Mr. Kumar “was a Sufi, a Muslim mystic. He sought fana, union with God, and his relationship with God was personal and loving. (61)”. Therefore, the biology teacher Mr. Kumar turned away from God, while the baker Mr. Kumar runs to him. The baker Mr. Kumar demonstrates the importance of religious and cultural practices to his faith. Despite contrasting ideologies of faith, the 2 Mr. Kumars bond in their marveling at a zebra (83-84). As they bond, Martel emphasizes how the zebra, alongside the 2 Mr. Kumars, and Pi can coexist peacefully with each other as a flourishing community. Additionally, when an “alert zebra had noticed the carrot and came up to the low fence (83)”, the animal displayed a sense of individualism and independence. All in all, this first scene illustrates the peacefulness, likely inflicted by the zebra, of individuals from opposing backgrounds and faiths.
Unlike the harmonious community from when the 2 Mr. Kumars bond in marveling at a zebra, the scene where the zebra slowly deteriorates in the lifeboat plays a significant role in establishing an image of suffering from one that was peaceful and had freedom. Remorsefully, Pi notes how “I have not forgotten that poor zebra and what it went through (hyena attacked zebra). Not a prayer goes by that I don’t think of it (120)” Thus, the cruelty of the hyena towards the zebra fueled a deep level of a desire for forgiveness from Pi. Pi’s need for forgiveness reflects the intense anguish, misery, and discomfort the zebra went through. Unlike the amicable animal at Pondicherry Zoo, the zebra becomes subjected to maltreatment and manipulation as a means for food. These scenes display an interconnection by establishing the extent of misery the zebra experienced after being thoroughly attacked and eaten by the savage hyena. A zebra plays the best role in being killed first due to the distinct, primitive qualities of the other animals on the lifeboat. A zebra represents community, harmony, freedom, peace, and individualism, contrasting the qualities of the other animals. Pi explains how “Orange Juice, with huffs and lip-smacking noises, turned away, and the hyena lowered its head and retreated behind the zebra’s butchered body (127)” after the animals became alarmed with the presence of sharks. Orange Juice illustrates a more maternal nature, contributing to her caring and compassionate qualities. Whereas, for a hyena, Pi notes how it “will drink from water even as it is urinating in it (117)”. Moreover, the hyena has a more disgusting and repugnant nature via extreme aggression. Richard Parker has a more primitive nature that is survival based, simply coexisting with the other animals. Martel uses the zebra to set a deep distinction between the zebra’s peaceful and unifying nature to one that is in anguish and misery.
Hello! I really like the parallel you pulled from both Mr. Kumars the idea that the zebra was something that connected the way people even if they were almost complete opposites. And I also like how you brought in the situation of the hyena and the zebra, how the two animals are portrayed so differently and this stark difference may be due to how Pi views the zebras initially.
Delete-Ahana Titus