Pi Goes on

Religion is and always has been a sensitive topic. Some choose to acknowledge that there is a God and some choose to deny this fact to the death. For those who deny the presence of a higher being, "Life of Pi" will most likely change your thought process concerning this issue. Yann Martel's, "Life of Pi", is a compelling story that shows the importance of obtaining religion and faith. Piscine (Pi) Patel is both the protagonist and the narrator of Martell's religious eye-opener who undergoes a chain effect of unbelievable catastrophes. Each of these catastrophic events leaving him religiously stronger because he knows that in order to endure what he has endured, there has got to be a God somewhere.

From the beginning of the novel it is pretty clear that religion is a major issue in the life of Pi Patel. "I have kept up what some people would consider my strange religious practices"(3). However, when the Christian and Islamic faiths are presented to him, he can't decide which practice he wants to call his own. In fact, he wants to know why can't he be all three of them. The reason Pi can't decide on which religious practice he will be ultimately faithful to is because he notice so man similarities in the three of them. Mainly the Christian and Islamic practices. When asked why doesn't he choose between the three he replies, "I just want to love God" (69). Be that as it may, his faith(s) are soon put to the ultimate test.

In the eyes of Pi's parents, their native land, India, has "gone bad". "The New India split to pieces and collapsed in Father's mind. Mother assented. We would bolt"(79). So, Pi's mother and father decide to relocate to Canada without considering much of what Pi wants to do. The trip is set, and they set off for Canada aboard a Japanese cargo ship called the Tsimtsum. This is when Pi's trials begin. While aboard the ship, one night Pi is awakened by a great noise. He arises from his sleeping quarters only to find out that the cargo ship is sinking.