Characters
What is the name of Pi's brother?
Ravi
Explain the following quote:
“If I still had the will to live, it was thanks to Richard Parker. He kept me from thinking too much about my family and my tragic circumstances. He pushed me to go on living. I hated him for it, yet at the same time I was grateful . . . without Richard Parker, I wouldn’t be alive today to tell you my story.”
Ties into the theme of the will to survive. Pi needs the company of the tiger and the distraction created by have to feed and take care of it.
What causes the ship to sink?
There's a storm, but no specific reason is given.
What was the importance of the sloth?
It represented the calm and miracle of nature.
What was Richard Parker's original name?
Thirsty
How does the French cook on the boat behave?
He is gruff and rude with no patience. He gets angry at the Patels for their request for a vegetarian meal. He believes he is better than they are.
Pi's father puts up a sign in the zoo. DO YOU KNOW WHICH IS THE MOST DANGEROUS ANIMAL IN THE ZOO? Which animal is it?
Humans
What does Pi build for fishing?
A raft.
What was the first animal to land in the lifeboat?
The zebra/ hyena.
Where does Yann Martel live?
Scarborough
What is the name of the person who taught Pi to swim?
Mamaji
Explain the following quote:
You may be astonished that in such a short period of time I could go from weeping over the muffled killing of a flying fish to gleefully bludgeoning to death a dorado. . . . It is simple and brutal: a person can get used to anything, even to killing.
Savagery that Pi succumbs to in desperation to survive.
What is the first creature that Pi kills?
A flying fish.
Describe Orange Juice's personality.
She is kind, gentle and patient, but ready to defend herself is necessary for survival.
How do Pi's parents feel about him practicing more than one religion?
They believe he should commit to just one.
What did Pi study at school?
Zoology and religious studies.
So you must fight hard to express it? You must fight hard to shine the light of words upon it. - What is Pi talking about?
Fear
How does Orange Juice arrive at the lifeboat?
On bananas.
What is the lesson that Pi's father gave a goat to the tiger?
To teach him a lesson about safety around animals.
How many teeth were found on the island?
A full set.
What is the name of the father who taught Pi about love in the Catholic religion?
Father Martin
It is difficult to know how we will behave in certain circumstances. Orange Juice is typically gentle, but here she is showing how the inner animal, or need to survive can come out.
Who is this quote describing? Explain the circumstances. “This display of ferocity, of savage courage, made me realize that I was wrong.”
What happens to the island at night?
It becomes toxic. The waters become acidic and disintegrate the fish and living creatures on the ground.
Describe the personality of the hyena.
It is sneaky and vicious.
For how many days was Pi adrift?
227 days