Engaging Elements
In literature, what is the setting like in the survival genre?
Isolated / Hostile / Dangerous
Who is Richard Parker ?
Richard Parker is the Bengal Tiger who is on the life boat stranded in the middle of the Pacific with Pi.
Who is the protagonist of Andy Weir's novel, "The Martian"?
Mark Watney.
Why is an isolated setting an engaging element to the audience?
Threatens the characters lives, and sets an overall suspenseful tone throughout the novel.
How did Pi make a shield when he was stranded on the life boat ?
Using a turtle shell and rope.
What is the setting of "The Martian" and why is it an engaging element to the audience ?
The setting is isolated and dangerous as Watney's body is not designed to live in Mars' atmosphere. It is engaging to the audience because it threatens Watney's existence.
What are some common themes embedded in survival genre novels?
(List at least two)
Sacrifice / Freedom and Confinement / survival / Isolation / Hope / Perseverance.
Why did Pi make a shield when he was stranded in the middle of the pacific ?
He used the shield to protect himself from Richard Parker while he was trying to tame him.
Protagonists in survival stories usually have something to gain/lose which acts as a sense of motivation during their endeavor. What does Watney have to gain/lose?
His life, and reconnection with family.
Who is the author of "Life of Pi" ?
Yann Martel
What are at least two main themes of the Martian?
Fear / Sacrifice / Perseverance / Isolation
What were the three types of conflicts mentioned in our presentation ?
Man vs. Man
Man vs. Environment
Man vs. Self
What is Pi's full name?
(BONUS)
Pi’s full name is Piscine Molitor Patel, which he later shortens to Pi Patel.
What makes Watney relatable to the audience ?
His humoristic personality and understandable need for human connection.