Vocab
Fodder
Useful for that purpose and perhaps nothing else.
Actual meaning: Livestock or food
Where was Pi headed before the ship sunk?
Canada
“The ship sank. It made a sound like a monstrous metallic burp”(Martel 97)
Simile
This orange item keeps Pi afloat and becomes a symbol of hope and survival.
Lifeboat
“A shiver of cold went through me. I decided it was a storm after all” (Martel 103)
Instinct
Incongruous
To not be in harmony with the surroundings or aspects of something.
What animals were on the lifeboat with Pi?
A Hyena, Tiger, Orangutan, and Zebra
“TREEEEEE! TREEEEEE! TREEEEEE!”(Martel 97)
Onomatopoeia
Pi says this color is a symbol of survival, found in the lifebuoy and his life jacket
The color orange
“I could not stay in the position I was in forever.” (Martel 107)
Discomfort of Obstacles
Tarpaulin
A waterproof cloth used as a covering.
What time of the day did Pi fear the most?
Night
“I suppose some of the gust would’ve upset umbrellas”(Martel 102)
Personification
This creature’s violent behavior and dominance over the other animals symbolizes savagery and the collapse of morality.
The hyena
“There couldn’t be both a hyena and a tiger in such a small space.” (Martel 110)
Hierarchy
Supplication
Asking or begging for something honestly.
What was Pi going to do before he saw Richard Parker laying in the boat?
Fight the hyena
“Vishnu preserve me, Allah protect me, Christ save me, I can’t bear it!”(Martel 99)
Apostrophe
The sudden catastrophic event marks the beginning of Pi’s spiritual and physical trial.
The sinking of the ship
“We can sit together. You can have the window seat, if you want. But it’s a sad view.” (Martel 111)
Journey (with God)
Sublimity
The quality of having extreme beauty, greatness, and inspiration.
Where did Richard Parker get his name?
The man who captured him
“Why can we throw a question further than we can pull in an answer?”(Martel 98)
Metaphor
This animal hidden beneath the tarpaulin is a symbol of Pi’s fear, survival instinct, and animalistic side.
Richard Parker the tiger
“How true it is that necessity is the mother of invention, how very true.” (Martel 139)
Survival