RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER AND LIFE OF PI

Similarities Differences

- Both physical journeys involve a sea - Pi begins his journey with a profound
voyage. interest of the natural world and
- Both physical journeys act as a catalyst for spirituality, whereas the mariner does not
the inner and spiritual journey. In ROAM it have this preconceived knowledge.
is sin and penance lead to the renewal of - How each protagonist evokes their journey
his beliefs and gaining an appreciation of to others and the reasoning. Pi evokes his
the natural/spiritual world through journey to whoever wants to listen, and the
detaching himself from nature. In Life of Pi, reasoning is to try make them believe in
it is his circumstances force a revelation on God like he does. Contrastingly, the
his beliefs and values. Without the struggle Mariner evokes his journey to those that
to survive, Pi wouldn’t be able to explore need to hear it, in order to prevent further
his own doctrine of beliefs and values. sin against God’s creation.
- Both omniscient protagonists experience - The difference time periods that each text
isolation, guilt and redemption (being was composed in, this ultimately affected
saved from sin). how spiritual beliefs were represented
- Both texts use a cyclic structure to through respective protagonists. Lee’s
insinuate that wisdom and understanding postmodern stance on religion is conveyed
learnt from one’s journey can be passed through Pi being an individual with a
over time or experienced vicariously pluralistic acceptance of religion,
(through another person). philosophies and truths. However,
- Both protagonists experience an arduous Coleridge argues that one may only follow
physical and emotional journey. Christ, but still uphold religious presence in
- In both texts, guilt causes the protagonist their life.
to suffer greatly.
- The weight of their murder is evident when
stranded and isolated: The Mariner
experiences this through witnessing the
rising of the sailors’ souls. Pi experiences
this through the shot of Richard Parker.
- Both texts explore the concept; to survive
the authority of nature, one mustn’t be
complacent and continue their journey no
matter the circumstance – Pi not staying on
the algae island and the Mariner expressing
his sin for nature.
- Both omniscient protagonists evoke their
internal journey to others.
- Religious elements within society
(Postmodernism vs Romanticism) affect the
representation of spiritual beliefs within
respective texts. In ROAM, Coleridge argues
that one may only follow Christ, but still
uphold religious presence. Contrastingly,
Lee argues that one can have a pluralistic
acceptance of religion, philosophies and
truths.
- Both omniscient protagonists develop their
inner and spiritual journey by giving into
the power of god and accepting their fate.