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LIFE OF PI – YANN MARTEL

CHAPTERS 9 – 36
PART ONE: BOOKLET 2
CHAPTERS 9 – 36: MARKING GUIDELINES
Questions: Chapters 9 - 11
1. Explain the term “flight distance” in the context of the novel. (3)
A “flight distance” is “the minimum distance at which an animal wants to
keep a perceived enemy.” Put more simply, “flight distance” refers to how
close an animal will allow an enemy to get to it before it flees.
2. Why is an understanding of animals’ flight distance important to a zookeeper?

(3)
A caged animal that cannot flee when its enemy is too close because it
experiences extreme stress. It is in the animal’s best interest — physically
and emotionally — for the zookeeper to minimise the animal’s flight
distance so it can tolerate being observed by humans at close range.
3. What reasons does Pi give for animals wanting to escape from zoos? (2)
He says that animals whose enclosures are not just right may try to escape, as
may wild animals suddenly brought into captivity. But animals may also try to
escape for no good reason, as a result of the “measure of madness” built into all
living things.

4. Why does Pi go into such detail in explaining how zoos work? (2)
The zoo was an important part of Pi’s growing up. The entire book is a
study of the behaviours of humans and animals in unnatural and
unexpected circumstances.
5. According to Pi, what does “an animal hate above all else”? (2)
The unknown or its territory being invaded.
6. Suggest what point the writer is making about the leopard that escaped from
a zoo in Zurich in the 1930s and what does the story illustrate? (3)
The escaped leopard lived for two months in the area around the city. Pi says that
the fact that this leopard lived so long without being seen and did not attack
anyone while she was out proves that escaped animals are not dangerous and are
actually just trying to fit into the new environments in which they find themselves.
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Questions: Chapters 12 -15

1. The narrator says that Pi Patel “bobs” on the “ocean of memory”.
Explain what this metaphor foreshadows. (2)
The narrator is foreshadowing the telling of Pi’s story, when, as a teenager,
Pi floated in a lifeboat on the Pacific Ocean for two hundred 227 days.

2. Explain the significance of Pi spending so much time discussing animal

behaviour and how humans gain “control” over dangerous wild animals. (2)
It is significant because the story is going to have a great deal to do with a wild
animal in unfamiliar territory and a human’s need to establish control over it.

3. State why social hierarchy is important to animals. What does this have to
do with the story that Pi is going to tell the narrator? (2)
Social hierarchy is important because much of animal survival depends on
knowing precisely where it fits in that hierarchy. The story Patel is going to tell the
narrator most likely has to do with animal territorialism and dominance.

4. What can be inferred about Pi based on the religious artifacts that the author
sees in his house? (2)
The narrator describes the house as a temple. There are items in this house from
three different religions; all three appear to be equally revered. There are
depictions of the Hindu god Ganesha, the Hindu deity Krishna, and Jesus Christ,
the central figure of Christianity. The person whose house this is appears to be a
devotee of three of the major religions of the world: Hinduism, Islam, and
Christianity

Questions: 16 - 28
1. What reasons does Pi give for him being a Hindu? (2)
He says that the rich sensory details of Hinduism made him love the religion
from the start. But he is also a Hindu in his religious philosophy.

2. Briefly elaborate on what Pi likes most about Christianity.

How does he compare it to his own Hinduism? (3)
Pi is impressed by Christianity’s humanity. He is “compelled” by the idea
that Christ is God incarnate. He likes the idea that God is accessible to all
people because His son was human. Hinduism, then, provides Pi with a
spiritual sense of the interconnectedness of all living things, and
Christianity offers him a means to approach God.
3. How does each of Pi’s three religions enrich/contribute to his life? (3)
 Hinduism gives Pi his spiritual sense and his respect for all life.
 Christianity gives him a sense of humility and closeness to God.
 Islam gives Pi a physical and satisfying means of expressing and practising his
faiths.
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4. One of the themes in the novel is storytelling.

Critically discuss the relationship between religion and storytelling. (4)
 Religion relies heavily on story telling.
 Many religious lessons are passed on through the telling of stories.
 If you are religious, you will be more likely to believe stories that
seem impossible.
 Storytelling is also a way to make sense of things and the world.
 Stories can be an explanation for things difficult to understand.
 In the same way religion often explains things that people do not
understand.
 Religion and storytelling have a close relationship and some may
argue that religion is nothing more than storytelling.
5. Discuss the primary conflict in Chapter twenty-six, represented by Pi,
his father and his mother. (4)

 The primary conflict is among faith, apathy (unconcern) and reason.

 Pi represents faith, and he sees the similarities in the three religions rather than
the differences.
 Pi’s father represents bafflement or apathy.
 He makes a vague attempt to protest Pi’s position but ultimately simply sends Pi
away.
 Pi’s mother represents reason.
 She tries to reason with Pi, offer analogies (comparisons), and ultimately exhausts
herself in her inability to dissuade him from his beliefs.

Questions: Chapters 29 - 30
1. Why does Pi make a point of mentioning the animals’ reactions to the political
situation in India? (2)
The fact that the animals neither know nor care about world politics illustrates the
irrelevance of such matters to real life.

2. Based on Pi’s ordeal, why do think Pi has not mentioned that he is married? (3)

The writer says that “life has taught [Pi] not to show off what is most precious to
him.” Along with the hints we had earlier, this is further evidence that Pi has
experienced a great loss.

Questions: Chapters 31 - 32
1. What point(s) is Pi establishing with his accounts of zoomorphism and
unusual co-habitations of prey and predator? (2)

The novel is going to involve an odd co-habitation and the creation of a

“herd” by an odd combination of creatures.
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2. According to Pi, explain why zoomorphism occurs. (3)

 Pi thinks that zoomorphism happens because it is the only way for animals to
make sense of their lives.
 For example, in the novel Pi tells about the lion cubs bonding with a dog, he says
that if the lions knew that their mother was dead, they would be sad. By bonding
with another mother, even if it is a dog, they can better cope with their situations.

3. What does Pi’s explanation of zoomorphism foreshadow? (2)

 Again, this explanation foreshadows a series of events involving loss and
the need for those left behind to rebuild new groups and make sense of
their lives.

4. Comment on the significance of the meeting of the two Mr Kumars? (3)

Mr Kumar, the teacher, represents pure science. In the past, he has
asserted that he does not believe in God, only in science. Mr Kumar, the
baker, is a devout Muslim. He thinks that God manifests himself in nature.
Both men admire the zebras, so their meeting represents the symbolic
meeting of science and spirituality.
Questions: Chapters: 33 – 36
1. Briefly explain what is suggested by Pi’s revelation that everything before
the family’s emigration was “lost”. (2)
All of the evidence so far indicates that, between India and Canada, Pi
experienced a tremendous loss of family members, animals, personal
possessions and a severe break with his past.

2. What is the irony in the difference between the author’s account (in italics)
and Pi’s? (2)
Pi’s account is factual and detailed. The author’s account is sentimental.

3. Discuss the reason Pi’s mother worries about the brand names of items
available in Canada. (3)
Concern over the brand names available is Mrs Patel’s way of expressing her
apprehension about leaving everything familiar behind and facing an entirely new
life in a new country and culture.

4. Comment on the surprises the narrator encounters in Chapter thirty-six. (2)

Pi has a son, a daughter, and a dog. The narrator said earlier that Pi hides
everything precious to him; he seems to have kept his family hidden.

5. Account for the writer stating that “this story (2)

Despite the great tragedy has been hinted at the scene of cosy domestic
life may be coming after some family tragedy.
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EXTRACT A
Chapters 20

1. Refer to line 1: “this pious baker”

Where and under what circumstances did Pi meet the second Mr Kumar? (2)

Pi wanted to find out about the Islamic religion but was afraid to enter
the mosque. Instead he entered a bakery where Mr Kumar was the baker.

2. In your own words, explain the immediate effect on Pi after praying with Mr
Kumar? (2)

He was filled with religious inspiration or he felt exalted, "feeling heavy

with glory."

3. “Mr and Mr Kumar were the prophets of my Indian youth.” Briefly explain the
long-term influence each of these men had on developing the two sides of Pi’s
nature, and how this combination helped him to survive his ordeal. (4)

His biology teacher taught him to appreciate the value of science and
scientific observation, the second pious Kumar taught him about
profound prayer and religious belief. Pi was able to use the former
in developing his knowledge about animal psychology and his fishing
skills, and the latter to overcome fear and despair and find meaning in
suffering.
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EXTRACT B
Chapter 22

4.1. In which point of view does Martel write Life of Pi? (1)

First person point of view –the story is told entirely in the first person
with Pi serving as the narrator and the fictitious author recounting certain
aspects of Pi’s life.

4.2. Why would Martel possibly choose to write Life of Pi in this point of view? (2)

It is likely that Martel wanted to emphasise that his novel is first and
foremost a story. Writing in the First Person narrative allows the reader to
feel more connected to the personal story of Pi.

5 In between chapters of Pi’s story are chapters from the Author. Why has Martel
chosen to insert these chapters in the novel? (2)
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To remind us that he is still present – he is listening to Pi’s story.

The Author also appears to remind the reader to be aware that this is a
story and we are allowed to choose what we believe to be true; stories are
open to interpretation.

6. Why does Pi refer to the agnostic in EXTRACT A as a “reasonable self”? (2)

Agnostics believe in the ability to reason. They don’t believe in anything at

all, nor in the possibility that there could be a higher power. All they have
faith in is their own ability to reason.

7. How does Pi feel about agnostics? Quote from the text to support your answer.

(2)
Pi likes atheists because they still believe in something – Science. His feelings
about agnostics are negative. He does not like that they do not believe in
anything. The diction used by Martel – “yeastless”, “lack imagination and
miss the better story” – indicates that Pi’s feelings are that agnostics must
have a boring and uneventful life if they are unable to believe in anything.
EXTRACT C
Chapter 26
8. Consider the stereotypical teenager begging his parents to buy him something
he really wants. How does the writer create humour in this scenario? (1)
Usually teenagers would request items or favours particular to teenagers
However, the writer has used a stereotypical scenario, a teenager asking
his parents for something, to highlight Pi’s unusual request.
9. What was the response of Pi's father to his request for Christian baptism and a
prayer rug? (2)
Pi’s father suggests that the two religions are unrelated and tells Pi that
Islam and Christianity have nothing to do with Indians. Pi is persistent –his
father then sends him to his mother. She tries to distract him by asking
whether he has read certain books. She also tries to avoid Pi’s requests.

10. Explain the following quote in context, “At that moment I’m sure father felt a blow
of chill air against the back of his neck”. (2)
Santosh refers Pi to his mother and in so doing annoys her because he
failed to talk Pi out of his request. There was no business he needed to
attend to/ he passes the buck onto his wife and her anger is expressed by
the ‘’blow of chill air’’.

11. Explain Gita’s ‘usual tactic’. (2)

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Gita’s usual tactic is to distract Pi/ with a book to read.

12. Discuss the irony in the choice of book Pi’s mother offers him. (2)

Pi’s mother suggests he reads Robinson Crusoe, the famous shipwreck

narrative that in many ways parallels Pi’s survival story.

13. What does the above extract reveal about Pi’s character? (2)

Pi is determined to get his way as he is persistent in his request.

Pi is intelligent providing counter arguments off the cuff.

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CONTEXTUAL QUESTION: EXTRACT D: CHAPTER 31

14. Comment on how Pi feels about growing up in a zoo. (3)
Pi enjoyed growing up in a zoo. He loves animals from a young age
and knows different animals well. He also tells stories about different
animals and what it was like growing up in a zoo. He has fond memories
about growing up in a zoo. Growing up in a zoo could also have inspired
him to study Zoology at university.
15. Earlier in the novel, Pi’s father teaches Pi and his brother a lesson about
living in a zoo and animals.
Discuss the lesson Pi’s father teaches them. (3)
Pi’s father is worried that Pi and Ravi are too familiar with the wild animals
in the zoo and they will end up getting hurt. He starves a
tiger in the zoo and feeds it a living goat to show Pi and Ravi that the
animals in the zoo are dangerous and not their friends. Pi’s father wants to
make sure that they do not get hurt.
16 Pi’s father decides that they are going to immigrate to Canada.
Critically comment on his reasons for immigrating. (3)
Pi’s father is afraid that they might lose everything because they
do not own the zoo, only the animals in the zoo. At this time, India is going
through a difficult political time and there was a lot of uncertainty about the
future of the country. Pi’s father wants a better life for his famiy.
17. Do you agree with Pi’s view about animals being kept in zoos and circuses?
Give reasons for your answer. (4)
Learners own generated answers should be credited.
BOTH circuses and zoos should be discussed and the learner can have
negative or positive feelings about them. OR
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The knowledge of animals helped Pi because he knew how to deal with

them and how to establish dominance over them.

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