Copy of Pisanio · SlidesCarnival.Life of pi Analysis.pdf

this presentation goes over binary opposition in the Life of Pi by Yann Martel

1. Binary
Opposition

2. 2

3. 3
Darkness VS Light

4. Thesis
In the novel Life of Pi, Yann Martel plays with
the ideas of binary opposition through Pi’s
religious standing, the queerness of the island,
and Richard Parker.
4

5. 1.
Religion VS Science
-Pi’s religious status

6. “
Don’t you bully me with your
politeness! Love is hard to
believe, ask any scientist. God
is hard to believe, ask any
believer” (Martel 297).
6

7. Analysis
-Comparison of God
and love
-Both are hard to
believe
-Religion often
contradicts science
7

8. 2.
The Defying Nature of
the Island
-The carnivorous island
-The drastic change from during the
day to at night

9. “
And then it came to light, an
unspeakable pearl at the
heart of a green oyster [...] the
island was carnivorous”
(Martel 280-281).
9

10. 10
-It’s impossible for
an island to eat its
dwellers
-Humans are
‘superior’ and have
conquered nature
Analysis

11. “
The sky was cloudless and the
moon full. The land was
robbed of its colour.
Everything glowed strangely in
shades of black, grey, and
white” (Martel 276).
11

12. 12
-Refuge during the
day yet death
during the night
-Island is both a
source of strength
and weakness
Analysis

13. 3.
Civility VS Savagery
-Richard Parker simultaneously mauls
people mercilessly while remaining
indifferent to Pi

14. “
This was the terrible cost of
Richard Parker. He gave me a
life, my own, but at the
expense of taking one” (Martel
255).
14

15. 15
-Richard Parker’s
actions have
demonstrated both
civility and savagery
-His name is
humanlike
-He’s killed two living
beings
Analysis

16. In conclusion…
Religion VS Science

Pi’s pursuit of three
different religions as
well as his studies as
a zoologist
The Island

Displayed behavior
that defied what
human + nature’s
relationship
Civility VS Savagery

Richard Parker being
a savage zoo animal
yet refraining to kill
Pi
16
Martel played with the ideas of binary oppositions
through his depiction and description of the three
main boxes above.

17. Thank you!
17