Friday, November 28, 2014

How does the idea of animals and territory relate to the topic of faith in part 1 of Life of Pi?

Pi feels that the zoo is to animals what religion is to humans. It gives structure and organization to our lives. Pi does not agree with people who say animals should be allowed to roam free. He feels that animals are exposed to excessive danger in the wild and can live a much more peaceful and fulfilling life in the zoo. The same can be said of faith and religion. When left to our own devices, humans are lost. The structure of religion gives shape to our days and guides us toward a moralistic life. The animals in the zoo have faith that they will be fed and cared for within the confines of the zoo. Similarly, humans who have faith rest assured that they will be cared for as well. This is not to imply that humans will not suffer, just as the goat that is killed by the tiger in front of Pi and his brother; rather, faith supports humans through the trials and tribulations of life.

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