On the Same Page: Discussing Life of Pi
I’ve enjoyed reading Life of Pi by Yann Martel, which is our 2013 On the Same Page book selection. It’s really fun to think of everyone in Cass County reading the same book! From now through the end of March, I will be posting periodic questions for those who have read the book to ponder. This will serve as our online discussion forum this year.
Discussion Question One: I thought it was interesting that Pi decided that his best chance to survive after the shipwreck was to keep Richard Parker alive. Did that decision surprise you?
Tell us what you think by responding to this blog post, and you will be entered in the grand prize drawing for a Kindle Fire!
You can also join one of the upcoming discussions at the following branch locations:
- Harrisonville: March 25, noon; & March 25, 6:30 pm
- Pleasant Hill: March 26, 6:00 pm
- Garden City: March 27, 6:00 pm
- Northern Resource Center: March 27, 6:30 pm
There will be additional prize drawings at each branch discussion event, and you will earn another chance to win the grand prize at each branch discussion you attend.
Enjoy reading!
Diane Christensen, Harrisonville Branch Manager
I agree! He had a better chance with him.
The choice to keep Richard Parker did suprise me but if Pi didn’t keep Richard Parker then Pi would of died.
Pi said that the fear of Richard Parker kept him alert, and that taking care of Richard Parker gave him a sense of purpose to keep going. I wonder which played the larger role in his survival?
Pi had a bond w/ Richard Parker. He had lost everyone else dear to him. He didn’t want the same thing for Richard Parker.
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But one might look at it from the perspective that Richard Parker WAS Pi. He was is savage side. If Pi hadn’t let his savage side live, then he would have died. If Richard Parker had died, then Pi wouldn’t have been primarily focused on his survival-at-all-costs instincts.
Pi knew the tiger, having grown up with him. He respected him and understood him. Pi was also respectful of all living things, seeing God in them. He knew that the tiger just was. I think that Pi knew that keeping the tiger alive, was also his struggle of keeping himself alive. If he could keep the tiger alive, then it gave him the purpose of keeping something else alive, as well as himself. “See, I can do this.”
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