The author used different forms of author’s craft to intensify the effectiveness of storytelling within the story. One of the elements the author used was point of view of the character. “Life of Pi” was written in first person from the perspective of the main character, Pi. Having the story told by Pi guides the reader to feel as if they were living in the story. “I was alone and orphaned, in the middle of the Pacific, hanging onto an oar, an adult tiger in front of me, sharks beneath me, a storm raging about me” (Martel, 107). This quote demonstrates point of view in the story by showing the scene through Pi’s perspective. By explaining what the situation is, and where each obstacle occurred, it formed an image in the reader’s mind as if they were Pi.
The author also uses several literary devices as author’s craft to enhance the storytelling. “This son, on the other hand, who goes hungry, who suffers from thirst, who gets tired, who is sad, who is anxious, who is heckled and harassed, who has to put up with followers who don’t get it and opponents who don’t respect Him…”(Martel 55). This quote demonstrates imagery by visually describing the son, and allowing the reader to have an image of him in their mind. The author also uses dialogue throughout the story. “But I want to pray to Allah. I want to be a Christian.” “You can’t be both. You must be either one or the other”( Martel 72). This dialogue is important to the story because religion is a significant part of Pi’s life. During this conversation, Pi asks his father to be baptized, and also asks him for a prayer rug. Pi’s father is astonished at his request, and does not want Pi practicing multiple religions.
Yann Martel’s “Life of Pi” has many different themes established throughout the story. One of the themes is to have faith in what you believe in despite other’s opinions. This theme is demonstrated passim the entire story. One day, Pi’s most favored teacher, Mr. Kumar, comes to Pi’s family zoo. Pi and Mr. Kumar share many of the same interests, apart from religion. “Religion will save us,” I said. Since when I could remember, religion had been very close to my heart. “Religion?” Mr. Kumar grinned broadly. “I don’t believe in religion. Religion is darkness.” Darkness? I was puzzled. I thought, Darkness is the last thing that religion is. Religion is light”(Martel 27).
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This passage supports the theme because although Mr. Kumar has different thoughts and opinions, Pi still believes in his religion. Pi is born into a Hindu family, and grows to admire several other religions. Pi joins the Hindu faith, Christian faith, and Muslim faith. Pi’s parents, along with the leader of each faith were unhappy with his decision however, Pi fell in love with different aspects of each religion. To have faith is to have confidence and trust in something or someone. Pi has faith in each of these three religions, as he also strongly believes in every one of them. Faith however, is not something you can feel, touch or prove to anyone besides yourself. Everyone has faith in several different things. Some people may believe in one thing, and other people will believe the complete opposite.
References
- How Teaching Story Elements Improves Writing
- Understanding Point of View in Literature
- Imagery: Definition and Examples of Imagery in Literature
- Dialogue: Definition and Examples of Dialogue in Literature
- Allusion: Definition and Examples of Allusion in Literature
- Irony: Definition, Types, and Examples of Irony in Literature
