Before the Boat
Why is Pi named after the Piscine Molitor
Mamaji and/or his figurative “uncle”
This chapter dealt with the essence of Christianity. What do you think Pi appreciated the most about eh Christian faith?
He appreciated the different beliefs and the questions he was able to ask
In Pi’s opinion, why do people move? What were his family’s problems?
People move because they don’t want to confront fears, his family may have been persecuted
Explain how Richard Parker got his name.
Because the name of the British hunter and the bengal tiger got mixed up
What did Pi decide to do on the lifeboat to ensure his rights?
Intimidated the tiger
Explain why Pi’s father was a good zookeeper.
His father knew that wild animals were to be treated as such
By the end of this chapter, how many religions was Pi practicing? Does this seem strange to you? Explain.
Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism
What was bothering Pi?
Why did they have to leave India
What “stupid” mistake did Pi make?
He didn’t grab the bananas
In Pi’s opinion, what is life’s only true opponent? Why?
Life itself
What does “Animalus anthropomorphicus” mean? And why is it so dangerous?
it Is the tendency for humans to relate and feel that animals are human. Dangerous because animals are not human and have survival instincts and are wild animals
What new religion did Pi discover? What did he compare it to?
Islam, He compared it with a feeling of being with Allah
What did Santosh do with the zoo and all the animals? Provide specific facts and information
He tranquilizer them on the boat so they were more tame
Who was next to join Pi on his lifeboat?
Zebra
What addition did Pi add to his raft?
A sail
What is the difference between atheists and agnostics? Why does Pi feel that atheists have faith? Why does he dislike agnostics?
Atheists know about religion but choose not to believe in a faith. Agnostics are ignorant of religious belief. Pi doesn’t like Agnostics because they don’t believe in anything and choose never to learn to
What did Pi like about the Islam religion? Why?
The real close connection of feeling dedicated to Allah
How does Martel immediately create tension at the beginning of this chapter?
He describes the weather and events that caused the boat sinking
After Richard Parker’s arrival and Pi’s quick departure from the lifeboat, what made Pi return to the lifeboat
He needed food and could not survive in the water
What was Pi able to do for Richard Parker?
Feed him
Pi states that the common believe that animals in the zoos are unhappy is “nonsense” (16). What response does he give to prove the contrary?
The animals have a sense of security, they are well fed, safe, and pampered, they don’t have to worry about outside dangers
How did Pi cope with the attitudes of other faith believers from the religious institutions?
He tried to explain but mainly respected their beliefs but didn’t discredit his
What do you think is the significance of Pi’s statement, “this story has a happy ending”? Why does Martel inform the reader of this now?
Because if there wasn’t a happy ending than we would never know about it
What difference is seen between Pi and the animals at the end of this chapter?
Animals put morals behind them to survive, Pi let’s that get in his way
How has Pi become more “savage-like”?
He ate meat