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Why name a child after a pool? Unless he was conceived there or his parents experienced some amazing event there, I don't see why they would name him that.
Search Engine Fun for the Day: Find Pondicherry on a map of India.
I have gone back to the place where I grew up -- a farm with 40 acres of woods with a pond, a creek, and a deer-infested marsh. When I go there now, it amazes me how small 40 acres is. Ever experienced this phenomenon?
I like the comparison between the hotel business and the zoo business. Made me chuckle. Anyone with me?
How cool would it be to grow up in a zoo? That would be awesome. Anyone grow up somewhere cool like that?
Starting on page 16 (at least of my version), the narrator begins to pontificate on the idea of freedom. Do you agree with his assessment of the animals' freedom? Is there something missing in his argument that animals are better off in a zoo? Can you poke holes in his argument, or have you been thoroughly convinced by his logical explanation?
He mentions that religion has its own issues with freedom. What does he seem to be suggesting by this?
33 comments:
Naming a child "Piscine" is bizarre under any circumstances, especially when the word, which is French, is spoken by the people who are colonizing one's country. However, this name choice probably reflects the new opportunities available to members of the "New India," the middle class, of which Piscine's father was a member. Often, one associates European imperialism with antipathy from the people being conquered. In Piscine's father's case, it seems to have worked out well for him. Perhaps he longed to go to France, the country who he owes his economic status to in some part, but he is tethered by business and family. Relying solely on Francis Adirubasamy (Mamaji) for information about France would result in an obviously skewed adoration of Parisian pools. As Piscine put it, "Though it was a cesspool, Mamaji spoke of Deligny with a fond smile" (11) when describing the most disgusting of swimming pools. Keeping this in mind, it seems almost logical, although somewhat of a stretch, that Piscine should bear his name.
I was able to find Pondicherry on a map. I thought the comparison of the hotel and the zoo was quite comical, yet was kind of true. If you truly think about it, animals are like very spoiled picky guest at a high end exclusive hotel. When I read that he grew up in a zoo I thought that that would have been awesome. I think that it would have been interesting to grow up in a zoo. I could not find a hole in his logic about freedom with animals in a zoo vs. the wild. Yet I can truthfully say that is not how I thought of animals' freedom, can't say I ever pondered on that subject. When thinking about the subject of religion, he was saying how different parts of religions have different "freedoms". Such as the differences between the Catholic, Baptist, Jewish, and Muslim religions. (Not singling out any religion) They each have different guide lines, rules, and expectations for the people who believe and worship in those religions.
In my opinion i think it would be very cool to grow up in a zoo. I think the logic with the freedom of the animals in the zoo is pretty dead on. Even though the animals are not in the wild the way their enclosures are set up are like the wild. The one hole i did think of though, would be that even though the animals have freedom similar to being in the wild, they are not in the wild. They do not have ant other animals to communicate with and their natural ways of getting food are gone because they are given everything they need. With religion, the way religion has problems with freedom is that you are not allowed to do certain things within your religion because every religion still has rules and guidelines a person has to follow. So a person does not have complete freedom to do what they want. They have freedom within the walls of the religion.
As I learn more about Pi and his life as a son of a zookeeper, I see many interesting things that he does and witnesses throughout his younger years. To be around animals every day of your life, take care of them, it's almost like living in another country or continent! The only downside to zoos is the odor the animals linger, even after giving them[selves] baths. Animals are fascinating creatures, whether big or small, furry or scally, gentle or vicious. I, myself, like animals (as well many more things), and working with and around animals sounds like loads of fun!
The thought of naming your child "Piscine" is beyond me; of course, it's not common, but a name like that could surely get him into some teasing from the kids his age (which ends up happening). Being annoyed by how everyone (including his teachers) mess up his name and even begin to call him "Pissing", he decides to take a stand and let everyone know he would rather be called "Pi". I don't blame him for what he did; some of us who have difficult or uncommon last names tend to hear our name butchered by teachers and just people around us.
His parents named him after a pool because someone very important in their lives, Mamaji, was a champion swimmer. One of the nicest pools in Europe was called Piscine des Tourelles, and it was the only pool to cause Mamaji to fall silent in awe.
The comparison between the hotel and the zoo was quite comical, but very true. Sounds almost like having children..
Growing up in a zoo would be extremely educational and sociable. Although I feel that it would almost desensitize one to the beauty of nature, being around such exotic animals every day.
I think Pi is pretty spot on with his idea of freedom. If an animal is born in captivity, that’s all they know. They get catered to everyday; they will always have adequate food and a clean living area. Sure, it isn’t their natural habitat but they don’t know any different. If an animal is captured from the wild and brought into captivity, then that is a different story. I think that is a bit cruel and selfish. They’re scared and unsure of what is going on around them. They see these strange creatures gawking at them every day and their surroundings are very strange.
When Pi mentions religion, he suggests that religion traps people, that it is forced upon them and they have no way out, when in fact, those who believe in God are happy to worship him and follow all of his rules and devote so much of their time to him .
I think when you are away from something so long that you build up that place or person or whatever it is so much that it is impossible for that thing to reach those standards so you will always have the question: is that all? Just like the 40 acres seems a lot smaller and less adventurus then what you remember. The comparisonn of the zoo business and hotel business is funny but also very true. People do things in hotel rooms that they would never do in their own home because they dont have to clean up the mess. I believe there are benefits of living in a zoo but also benefits of living in the the wild for an animal. In a zoo the animal is protected at all times but it doesnt have the freedom of running in the wild, I guess it depends on who you ask.
I am a strong supporter of unique names, I love them. However if I was deemed the name that sounds like "Pissing" I'd rather be named Pondicherry.
I enjoyed the comparison between the hotel and zoo business, especially that the animals never tip.
Pi had a very strong arguement about animal's freedom. I was almost completely on board with him but I still believe animals are meant to be wild.
Religion has many different freedoms depending on your faith. I believe that religion can restrict and provide freedom. You may have to restrict lifestyle choices but have the choice to live for your god.
I personally think the name of the narrator gives him a unique quality. Such a strange name adds an interesting aspect to the character. Even the back story to the name is unique and interesting. It makes me more interested in Pi's personality.
As for his life living in a zoo, I think it would be incredible. Every day would feel like a new adventure. I found the way Pi described freedom within a zoo fascinating. He stated that most people associate freedom with happiness. Then he contradicted this idea by saying that "These people usually have a large, handsome predator in mind". The prey are not happy in freedom. Only the predators. In a zoo, animals may be in captivity, but they are safe and healthy.
http://www.sriaurobindosociety.org.in/subnav/pondy.htm
location of Pondicherry
His parents named him after the Piscine Molitor because this pool was held in the highest regard by their closest family friend Mamaji
I think that Pi's assesment of the animal freedom is spot on. I also liked how he compared the animals in there cage dwellings to people in their homes.
People name children after anything and everything. Francis Adirubasamy, a close family friend who was a champion competitive swimmer, is the obviously behind Piscine's parents reason to name him after a pool.
I've honestly been convinced by hs reasonings behind the animals freedom. Animals basically get it made if the zoo they live in treats them good.
When the narrator mentions the freedom of religion I feel that he is suggesting how religion has multiple view points. That people can be athiests or religious; the same way that animals can roam in the wild or stay in captivity.
I think Pi’s parents named him after the pool as an ode to high class. Also, it was a very special pool, the best that they know of. I’m sure it left more than Pi’s uncle speechless. So maybe by naming their son after the pool, the effect would transfer with the name. They thought that he would be a reflection of the pool, in the way that he was the best possible and those who met him were left speechless by his overall person.
I have felt a place being smaller than I remember when I go to Ceder Point. Every time I go it must shrink or something. Also when I go to the zoo or an old park I went to as a child.
I personally would not like to grow up in a zoo. They are nice to visit, but the smell of animals would be all over everything. You would, however, have better excuses than “the dog ate my homework”. I think it’s just something that would appeal to readers and make them think that’s it’s so interesting and adventurous since it’s something that would never happen to them.
I agree to a point with the animal’s freedom. I can definitely understand it, but I wouldn’t consider non-domesticated animals to be lazy. And what he was describing sounded like the ideal life for somebody lazy. I think Pi was thinking from a human’s view and what they would want, but animals aren’t really the same.
Piscine was named after a pool because one of his father’s business contacts, who was also a close family friend, was a champion swimmer. Pi called him Mamaji.
I have experienced the phenomenon; I never realized how small my dad’s old house was until we went to clear it out long after we moved out. My room felt like a closet when it used to be one of my favorite places.
The comparison between hotel and zoo businesses was actually true, even if it was said jokingly.
I would love to grow up in a zoo! I used to have all sorts of pets, like snakes and tortoises and frogs. Now all we have are dogs, cats, goats, and a llama.
I do agree with the narrator’s assessment of the zoo animals’ freedom. He went over every aspect of the animals’ lives and told how the zoo kept them content. The animals in a well-cared for zoo are happy as long as all of their needs are filled. I’m thoroughly convinced by his explanation.
When Pi said religion had its own issues with freedom, he was talking about how people chose to stay in their religion and follow its “rules”, as all religions have something like a code of conduct.
I also think that it's crazy to name a child after a swimming pool when the parents are not fond of swimming themselves. All they have is a friend who is a swimmer, and they couldn't guarantee that their child would develop an interest in swimming when he grows old enough.
I also find it amusing the comparison between the hotel business and the zoo business. It seems like Pi is directly calling a human, an animal. I was convinced by Pi's argument regarding the opinion that animals are better off in a zoo. Especially if an animal has never known the freedom, they can be quite content in a zoo. At a zoo, animals are provided with everything that they could ever need. Even if an animal does know what it's like to live in the wild, living in a zoo is in many ways better than living in the wild. They no longer have to fight to live, everyting is given to them.
I think that everything seems bigger when you constantly think of it. like everytime i go a long period of time without seeing a relative i could swear they lose weight. i think when he talks about religion having freedom restrictions he means that people are constantly caught up in rituals. It seems today that alot of religions get caught up in just going through the motions doing good works and mindlessly doing good deeds because we feel like we have. Religion should not be about that but about a relationship with God and so by being caught up in works, it restricts us from a relationship with our creator. and the zoo comparison i thought was very clever. Its funny how he talks about them being bad clients when i would consider a Giraffe a sweet client to have living with you!
I feel that Pi’s parents could have named him Piscine Molitor because this pool is something that is a great accomplishment and just a great place, possibly his parents thought the he could mirror those achievements. I was able to find Pondicherry on a few of the maps I looked at. I have a play set that I have had since I was about eight or nine I believe. I hadn’t been on it or anything for a while and one day I went on it with my younger cousins. I noticed how close the highest platforms were to the ground and the slide looked so short and the monkey bars, if I sat on my knees I could hold on to the money bars from there. It was crazy because it seemed so huge and scary when I was younger. I loved the comparison he made with the zoo and hotel business it helped you realize what it was like at the zoo without just stating it. Growing up in a zoo would be so amazing. Not only would you get to experience growing up next to animals growing up you’d get to learn about what makes animals grow, what they like, what they dislike, and how they react and interact with different environments. I do agree, in a zoo animals don’t have to worry about predators or having enough food, but in the wild animals have no control over what happens to them and where they can get food and supplies they need to survive. I have been thoroughly convinced by his logic. I feel that he is trying to say that even though in everyone’s eyes their religion helps them be free there is always restrictions in religion, always something that holds you back from being completely free.
I personally can most definitely agree that naming a child after a swimming pool is quite strange, but I do understand where the name came from. Since Mamaji, who indeed played an important role in Pi's childhood, was a championship swimmer, the name can be justified. Mamaji had the opportunity to swim all over, and the name was relevant to that.
I also thought the comparison between running a hotel and being a zookeeper quite humorous. I think it is funny, because it is so true! Animals and humans alike develop patterns as they go about their daily routines, and although the patterns may not be identical, they are relatively the same. For example on page 13, it talks about guests in a hotel having a grand ole time, and workers not being able to accomplish their work of cleaning rooms and tending to other duties until guests "saunter" out onto the balcony. Just as a human, animals in a zoo take their time doing what they please, and zookeepers cannot complete their duties until the animal moves on. I guess I never really paid attention to the idea that zoo animals and humans could be so alike, but they truly are. There are great similarities, just expressed in different ways.
When it is mentioned that religion has its own issues with freedom, I can completely understand that statement. I personally believe that it means that within any religion, there are rules. There are guidelines and responsibilities, and things that are of expected of people. When you commit to a religion, some think it sets you "free", but there are many things that need to be fulfilled and carried out within a religion. For example, when you claim to be a Christian, you cannot just merely state it and be done, there is prayer, serving, discipleship and so much more.
I think the parents probably got the idea for naming Pi after a pool from Mamaji. They may not have strong memories of this pool or anything like that, but they must have liked the name because that is what they ended up naming him. Also, pools are fun, exciting, and sometimes relaxing. Perhaps, Pi's parents were hoping some of that would rub off on him.
Sometimes, when I revisit thigs and places that I went to when I was little, I feel as if everything is smaller. It seems littler or less extravagant. My parents always tell me it is because when I was a little kid, everything was bigger and taller than me. Now that i am older, those old places don't tower over me anymore.
In a way, I've kind of grown up on a place akin to a zoo. On my family's property is a pond, barn, and 14 acres of woods, which opens up to a marsh a quarter-mile or so back. We've always had countless animals around to observe: dogs, many outdoor cats that go where they please, goats, birds, and even a baby opposum I tended to when I was young. Fish, turtles, and frogs have taken over the pond, and raccoons and deer and coyotes lurk in the woods at night. I've always felt a bit closer to nature because of my home, and I felt I've seen aspects of these animals that others haven't been able to. I feel as though Pi experienced something similar, seeing the inhabitants of the zoo day in and day out. I believe witnessing some of the best things that nature has to offer led him to his intense spiritual quest in the following chapters.
Also, I always assumed zoos were cruel, forsaken places with depressed animals. Everytime I visited there, the sun mercilessly burned me, and it felt like a sign of sorts. The place was gross, it smelled, and it was oh-so sad. Pi's argument, however, has swayed me. I think. I'll have to confirm or retract that statement the next time I step foot in a zoo, which I don't believe will be anytime soon; if I can avoid it, at least.
Like Annie, I am also a very strong supporter of unique names. Piscine got his name from the pool that close family friend Mamaji who also had a large impact on Pi's life.
When I was younger I moved a lot. My parents ended up getting divorced and I lived in about 6 or 7 different apartments and about 4 or 5 different houses. I lived in the same apartment complex twice but in different apartments. I experienced the same phenomenon when I saw the courtyard and the pool. Everything seemed so much larger when I was younger.
I view zoos in many ways. I see a place where animals are caged up and can't live the life that others of that species are, I see a place where animals are living longer in captivity because of the way they are fed and the medical attention they receive, and I see a place where you go to view poor, depressed animals stuck and it's almost a punishment in a way. I wouldn't want someone to come and stare at me in a cage.
I think everything seems smaller than how you remember it. When you're younger, you're smaller so everything around you seems larger than it actually is. When I was younger my grandpa would me out on his boat every summer and I always that boat was huge. As I got older I realized it wasn't as big as I remembered.
I do think animals are somewhat better off in the zoo. I can understand that the animals would have more freedom in the wild but in the zoo, they are given food and a safe place to rest. They also have constant access to medical care. I think animals are better off in zoos, but that's just my opinion.
It isn't that uncommon for people to honor their loved ones or their role models by naming a child or pet after them. Pi's parents naming their son after the one pool most revered by the close family friend Mamaji. I wouldn't be surprised if later in the book we find out Pi has named his son after Mamaji or a religious idol of his.
As people grow up distances and time become distorted. Ten years for a Fifty-year old would only be 1/5 of their life where as ten years for a Twenty-year old is 1/2 of their entire life. For the Twenty-year old, ten years would seem like a massive amount of time. The same came generally be said about distances. When you are little you don't know just how massive things can be, but as you grow and see more things you begin to realize what you once thought was a huge area is now very common to you. I used to always go up to my grandparents house and go with them on walks in the woods/land in their back yards. It was always shocking how massive the path was, but now it seems as if the path has shrunk greatly.
Growing up in a zoo would be an amazing experience. Im sure it has it's bad sides, such as the smell all the time and how it would ruin the 6th grade "zoo-snooze" trip i had at temperance road, but many of us wouldn't mind those.
I feel like in order to experience that phenomenon I'd have to leave where I grew up for a really long time and be a bit older to fully take in everything I knew and see it for what it really is like that.
I'm sorry but I did not grow up somewhere cool like a zoo.
I don't agree with the statement that the animals have a choice. If the animals weren't taken to the zoo in the first place they would probably be happy in their true habitiat where they were intended to be. When a zoo is all they know of course they'd choose the zoo? Why would anyone want to stray from something they've known all their lives...it's scary. They are better off where they were supposed to be but that is my opinion.
Well Pi being entwined in three different religions and his brother making fun of him just shows that Pi feels free to study his beliefs in whatever way he wants to which is true...God won't judge on how you handle your faith. It shows that his brother is merely trapped in his faith and stuck.
Piscine Molitor Patel was named after the Piscine Molitor pool in Paris. Why? Well, Pi’s father had a coworker, named Francis Adirubasamy, who became a really good friend of the family.( Pi would later call him Mamaji) Francis was a champion competitive swimmer of South India, and Pi’s father, an insufficient swimmer, loved hearing Francis’s stories about his life of aquatic glory. Francis once told Pi’s father about the time he had studied in Paris and the various pools he had encountered. A lot of the pools were downright unsanitary/disgusting, but there was one pool that Mamaji favored; the Piscine Molitor. This pool is described as “a pool the God’s would have been delighted to swim in.” Pi’s father loved the imagery the story of this pool had added to his aquatic dreams, thus his son’s name was created.
(I have gone back to the place where I grew up -- a farm with 40 acres of woods with a pond, a creek, and a deer-infested marsh. When I go there now, it amazes me how small 40 acres is. Ever experienced this phenomenon?)
Everyone has experienced this in one way or another. It’s what makes childhood seem magical. Everything is proportionately disoriented to a child. The house that once seemed like a huge castle may actually be a small apartment barely big enough to support its occupants.
The comparison between the zoo and hotel business was slightly comical, yet truthful. After the reading, neither business seems delightful.
Currently, I live on 5 acres (not including the 45+ acres of farmland/woods out back), and I love it. We have a llama, five goats, a rabbit, three cats, and three dogs. (Our animal family is still growing)
Yes, I do agree with Pi’s assessment of the animals’ freedom. Animals’ are better off in places like zoos as long as they are properly cared for.
Yes, it is odd for somebody to name their child after a pool; it's kinda like naming your child Apple. It is justifiable, Mamaji played a huge role in Pi's life so his parents found it fitting to name him after a pool that Mamaji used to swim in.
Pondicherry, India is at 11.93⁰N and 79.83⁰E.
Yeah it was pretty comical.
Growing up in a zoo would be interesting, whether I would like it or not is debatable. It wouldn't be far of a commute for work, but work would also be your home. The noise of the animals could be disrupting; I don't think my grandma could here me over the noise of our neighbors the monkeys.
Animals are free in a zoo. Yes their enclosures are smaller than a Savannah plain or a boreal forest; but it protects them better and the architects make sure they have enough living space. His argument is convincing, mainly because I agree with him.
He suggests that people may be tethered to specific ways of life by religion.
Pi's discussion of freedom for zoo animals really made me think. Previously, my thoughts on keeping animals caged up in a zoo were exactly that. Clearly animals were meant to be in their natural habitat in the wild. But when I read what Pi had to say on the topic it begin to make sense. In the wild animals have their own territories, much like a cage in the zoo. Wouldn't it be so much easier to not have to fight for a territory? Also, Pi discussed how animals are not fond of change. In a zoo, the feeding schedules are the same and the animals do not have to worry about catching their own meals. They depend on the zookeepers for their weekly supply of everything they need to survive. Wouldn't it be nice to never worry about how or when you would be recieving your next meal? This partially changed my mind about zoos. However, it left me thinking what if the animals wanted room to run? For example, cheetahs are the fastest animal. Yet they are placed in a cage with no where to run. Overtime would this predicament possibly change the cheetah's natural tendancies?
Overall, Pi's explanation of animals in zoo did nothing else but to further deepen my confusion.
The name Piscine was something different and meaningful. Piscine was named this because of Mamaji, who was someone close to the family. The comparison between the zoo business and the hotel business is very true. Hotel guests can be sloppy, and will leave the room a mess since they know the hotel staff will clean up after them. I found what Piscine said about animals being in the zoo to be very persuasive, but then I thought about it some more and decided that I would rather be in the wild if I were an animal. Being able do and go wherever you wanted is much better than being stuck in a cage with maet.
Naming him Piscine was a meaningful gesture to Mamaji. He was a very important person in their life and it was to honor him.
I can relate to going back to where I grew up a little. When we visit my aunt we drive past our old house in our old neighborhood and I remember all the things we did there and it seemed big to me then. Now that I am older and bigger myself, it does seem so small, but still holds great memories.
I see how the hotel business and zoo business are much the same. Poeple who stay in hotels treat it with little respect and often leave the messes for the maids to clean up. Much like the animals at the zoo.
I would love to grow up in a zoo. I love animals and to be able to see how they live and eat and play would be very interesting and fun.
I think summer vacation itself is an example of this bizarre occurrence. As a kid it seems to last forever because in perspective to your life, three months is a long time. But the older we get three months seems to fly by because again, in perspective to our lives, three months is nothing. I did find the hotel/zoo relating pretty funny and also very true. Pi's argument of animals being in a zoo being a good thing really got me thinking. I've always felt bit bad for zoo animals but in reality they are living the lives of kings. Like Pi explained, it's those few bad zoo keepers/zoos that ruin the whole idea for every zoo. Which makes me wonder, that's a bit like religion isn't it? Isn't it those few crazy extremists that ruin a religion for the whole group? Those few awful attacks on people or ideas that are supposedly "of God" that ruin the name of Christianity. I can't help but wonder if that was another idea behind Pi's explanation. As for living at a zoo, well that is my dream child hood! I did grow up in Ida which is a bit of a zoo itself, but not the good kind! I am very envious of Pi's childhood.
The narrator's assessment of zoo life is, to me, rather concrete. All creatures, including humans, enjoy having a routine. The only difference between a wild animal and a zoo animal is that a wild animal is not promised a meal, veterinary care, or a stable environment. Personally, if I were tossed into the middle of the woods and told, "You are free! Now you have to struggle daily to survive," I would not be too happy. There is a reason that animals in captivity live much longer than those in the wild. All living things like a routine. After the Civil War, many freed slaves returned to their masters to ensure this daily schedule. They preferred living under a human's control and having a guaranteed meal/shelter than fending for themselves.
Although I have previously commented in this section, I have further input. I think it is remarkable how fond Mamaji is of the European pools. His fondness of these pools is not based on their quality (as the pools are described as cesspools with dead fish), but on their history. The fact that the pools were used in the Olympics makes Mamaji cherish every moment he spent there. Had the pools not been used for the Olympics, Mamaji wouldn't have thought twice about them.
A similar thing happened just last week with me in Oregon. I was in the Pacific Northwest with my youth group for a mission trip. On our way, we stopped by Cannon Beach and Indian Beach in Oregon. These beaches are where scenes from The Goonies and Twilight were filmed. Although I am a self-proclaimed "Twilight Hater," seeing such famous beaches with my own two eyes was something special. I think that is how Yann Martel wanted to portray Mamaji's love for the European pools. Without the history of Cannon Beach and Indian Beach, I wouldn't have been so enthralled by their beauty and history.
The end.
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