Life of Pi- Guiding Questions

1.

Think about the role that storytelling plays in your life.

Who is the best storyteller that you know?
What makes his or her stories so much fun to listen to?
Brainstorm what you believe to be excellent storytelling
techniques.
Is the ability to tell a good story enough to qualify a work
as art or literature or simply an entertainment?

2.

How are storytelling and religion related? Are all religions a

form of
storytelling?

3.

What do you gain by reading the author's note both before

and after
reading the novel?

Chapters 1 2
4.

Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human characteristics

to nonhumans. Find examples of anthropomorphism in the
opening pages of the story.

5.

Describe some examples of imagery and figurative language

on pages 7 and 8.

6.

In chapter 2, in italics, who is the narrator and who is the

subject?

Chapters 3- 5
7.

Pi does not agree with people who "think animals in the wild
are 'happy' because they are 'free'" (ch. 4 p. 16). Why?

8.

Describe how and why Piscine Molitor Patel becomes Pi. Why
does he repeat the "lesson" with each teacher?

Chapters 6-7
1. Pi's house is both overheated and overstocked. Any guesses as
to
why?

2. What is the difference between an atheist and an agnostic? Why

does Pi dislike agnostics more than atheists?
3.
Describe Mr. Kumar and explain why he is so important in Pi's
life.
Chapter 8
1.

How does Pi's father teach him that "an animal is an animal"?

2.

Examine the passage about Mahisha and the goat. How does
Martel build tension?

3.

How does Ravi, Pi's older brother, terrorize him after the tiger
incident? Is this behaviour typical of older siblings? Explain.

4.

Have we "made the entire planet our prey" as Pi asserts in

chapter 8? Elaborate, using specific examples to support your
argument.

Chapters 9-14
1.

2.

Mantel's statement, "Memory is an ocean and he bobs on its

surface" (Ch. 12, p. 46) is an allusion. What does it refer to?
(Note: an allusion is a passing or casual reference to a person,
event, place, or phrase, either directly or implied.)
In chapter 13, pi 48, Pi notes: "Much hostile and aggressive
behaviour among animals is the expression of social
insecurity". An animal's social rank is central to how he leads
his life (who he associates with, when he eats, etc.) To feel
secure, an animal needs to know his place in the social
hierarchy. Does this hold true for humans as well? Explain.

Chapter 15
1.

Describe Pi's house in a paragraph. What is most striking?

Chapters 16-20
2.

In these chapters, pi becomes a disciple of all three religions.

For each, discuss his means of discovery, what he finds
peculiar, why he feels a connection and a favourite quote.

Chapters 21 22
3.

What must the "better story" include, and what does a *dry,
yeastless factuality" represent?

4.

Chapter 22 has an important insight. What is it?