Thursday, July 12, 2012

Life of Pi: Chapters 82-84

http://www.highresolution-wallpapers.net/wallpapers/boat_in_the_stormy_sea-1920x1080.jpg
I'm a little unclear about how much water they consume daily vs. how much they bring in. It would seem that they would bet enough from all of the solar stills -- at least enough to survive.

Pi recognizes that he is eating like an animal. In what other ways has he regressed to animal-like behavior?

"The loss of the raft was perhaps not fatal to my body, but it felt fatal to my spirits." Why?

"The hunting of whales is a heinous crime." Is this the voice of Pi, or is this authorial voice? What is so hypocritical about this statement?


25 comments:

Megan Johnson said...

In the beginning of the journey, Pi seems to find quite a few solar stills that he can use. I would also agree that they should have enough solar stills to be able to survive, but for some reason they are dying of thirst. This may be because Pi is giving most of the water to Richard Parker or maybe because Pi is not putting in enough time to get enough water. The lack of strength Pi has towards the end is probably what contributes most to his and Richard Parker's thirst. Pi is so tired and weak that he can no longer tend to the solar stills as he used to and this is most likely the main reason why they are dying of thirst.

Pi had started acting like an animal when he started savagely killing the animals he captured. Although it was for survival, he was killing some of the animals in such a gruesome manor. That is where the animal-like behavior began.

Pi was so attached to the raft that was eventually lost because he had put so much work into making it a suitable living space. While at sea, he had to undergo such harsh conditions and because of Richard Parker he was unable to stay on the lifeboat. This caused Pi to become attached to the raft. He had spent so much time on it and it truly saved his life numerous times.

I believe it was Pi who said that hunting whales was a heinous crime. This is a hypocritical statement because he himself killed so many animals in gruesome ways. Although this was for survival and he needed food, he killed like an animal, just killing to kill.

Elise.G. said...

I too am confused at what water seems to be available to him and how much Pi and Richard Parker are actually taking in. It seems as though they'd have almost enough...
Along with his new-found savage eating behavior, Pi's killed like an animal kills, though in his defense it's been solely for survival purposes. His hunting animals also happens to be why his saying that hunting whales is a heinous crime is hypocritical.
- Megan Johnson, I'm wondering... If Pi's killing for food and survival, How is that considered "...just killing to kill"?

Unknown said...

It shows that Pi has regressed to animal-like behaviors in the way he thinks. He doesn't think like the religious, vegararian boy from India. He now thinks like a dominant predator searching for his prey. He uses animalistic tactics to gain the upper hand on Richard Parker. He plays with his poop as if to say, "this is mine." He also pees to mark his territory and uses threatening scare tactics to keep Richard Parker on his toes. Pi is naked like a wild animal, also. 
The loss of the raft was fatal to his spirits because it acted as a safe haven where Pi could go to escape from Richard Parker. If I were Pi, I would have used the raft as a plan B in case Richard Parker attacked. With the raft gone, Pi has nowhere to go if Richard Parker attacked. 
When Pi says "The hunting of whales is a heinous crime," I think it is Pi saying it as opposed to an authorial voice. Pi says this after he ponders over a situation where all the whales have a name and they're spreading his and Richard Parker's story, but the whales can't help because they get harpooned.  Pi only calls it a heinous crime because he thinks that the whales being poached is detrimental to their chances of rescue. This statement is hypocritical because Pi kills and eats all types of fish and turtles during his voyage.

Unknown said...

I am extremely unsure as to how much water they consume daily. The amount Pi stated earlier he was saving from the solar sills has to be enough to support him, and Richard Parker easily. Well, at least it should be. Pi recognizes that he is eating like an animal, I also believe he is hunting and killing like one. The whole idea of killing disturbed me a ton!

The loss of the raft really was fatal to Pi's spirits because he had no means of anything else he ever created. Pi felt lost without the raft, and didn't know how to continue his journey.

When Pi says, "The hunting of whales is a heinous crime," I believe it is him speaking rather than an authorial figure. This statement is so hypocritical because he knew deep down it was wrong to kill a whale, but he knew it would inevitably help him survive.

chang said...

I think that the solar stills give just enough water for them to live, but not enough to hydrate them. They are probably dehydrated because Pi must split the water between the two of them. Maybe if Richard Parker wasn’t there, Pi would have enough to keep himself fully hydrated.
From what he said he was clearly eating like an animal. In the story he talks about how he basically chopped the fishes to pieces while they were still alive. He also talked about how he ate the fish right when he caught them, for if he didn’t, the fish would’ve been taken by Richard Parker. Also how he is no longer wearing any clothes is another way Pi is becoming more like an animal.
I think the loss of the raft was fatal to his mind because he saw the raft as a safe place, probably a place where he can relax and not have to worry about Richard Parker. I also think the destruction of the raft was so fatal to Pi’s mind because he had put so much work into it and now all of that is gone.
I think the voice is from pi. He says it because he imagines that the whales know who he is and that they are trying to tell a ship to come save him. But then the whales are killed and he thinks because of that that is a heinous crime. It is hypocritical because he talks about how killing whales is a heinous crime while he is killing fish and turtles from the sea.

Unknown said...

My first thought when Pi discovered 12 solar stills in the lifeboat was that there would more than enough water for Pi to survive. However, I did not account for the large amount of water that a full-grown Bengal tiger would need. Also, Pi and Richard Parker would need more water than normal because they are dehydrated from baking in the scorching heat all day.

Pi has regressed to animal-like behavior because he now kills and eats his prey like an animal. He convinced Richard Parker that he was “alpha” by resorting to animal-like methods to show his dominance. Pi marked his own territory with his urine and even handled Richard’s Parkers feces to show that it was his and he was the one in charge.

The loss of the raft was not fatal to Pi’s body, but it was fatal to his spirits because he had worked so hard to build the raft. It was difficult for Pi to see all his hard work disappear without a trace. Before, the raft had been a safe place where Pi could escape to when he felt threatened by the dangerous animals in the lifeboat. Because it had saved Pi’s life several times, I think Pi had grown attached to the raft.

I believe it was Pi who said the hunting of whales is a heinous crime. He seemed to have a particular fondness for the whales. Pi said, “These gentle behemoths always lifted my spirits” (230). However, it was a hypocritical statement because Pi had already killed so many animals savagely.

Renee Goforth said...

There were plenty of solar stills...for a human in a life boat. Obviously, people weren't planning on there ever being a 450-pound tiger on a lifeboat. But who would be?
Pi has started eating and behaving like an animal. He kills his food savagely, is completely naked, pees to mark his territory, and has the mind set of a predator.
The loss of the raft was fatal to Pi's spirits because it was the first thing he had control of, and something he had created himself.
It was the voice of Pi. He found the whales beautiful, but the statement is hypercritical because he had already killed so many other animals savagely.

Brittany Fisher said...

Pi hunts, kills, and eats his food like an animal and he marks his territory, all of which makes sense because his primal instincts have taken over.
He felt that the loss of the raft was "fatal to his spirits" because the raft meant partial safety. He built it to put distance between him and Richard Parker. When it's gone, Pi no longer has anywhere to get away from the tiger.
I think it was Pi that said whale hunting was a heinous crime. This is hypocritical because Pi has been hunting the other sea animals.

Liz Joyce said...

Pi always seemed to remark on the lack of water and the aching of thirst. The solar stills benefited Pi to an extent; however, he did accumulate rain water from occasional storms. Which leads to the question, with the amount of water being taken in how much was Pi consuming? It is imaginable that with the intake of the harsh sun beating down on Pi all day it could cause him to crave even more water. However, Pi mentions that tigers are able to somewhat drink salt-water. With this said how much water did Pi need to accumulate for one person?

Earlier in the novel Pi exclaims that humans are by far the worst in the animal kingdom. In a state of panic even the best of people can result to a state of denial and become what is most feared, an animal. Pi eventually had no remorse when killing innocent sea creatures. He eventually learns that the will to survive is more important than his beliefs.

The question that was surfacing through Pi’s mind was mostly like that if the raft no longer held on how much longer could Pi hold on? The only thing holding Pi together was hope, the raft symbolized the strength of Pi’s abilities. If Pi could not create something legendary, what made him legendary?
Although Pi had become savage he realized when he saw the whale to appreciate the beauty of the living creature. Through the complex situation he as the expression goes “stopped to smell the roses” and appreciated the beauty surrounding him.

Anonymous said...

I think Pi was upset about losing the raft because then he knew he was stuck on the lifeboat with Richard Parker for good. The raft was kind of an escape plan for Pi, without it he loses his sense of security. His one alternative to having to face Richard Parker was being able to leave the boat. Without this option, Pi was forced to train the tiger and hope he would be able to instill dominance.

"The hunting of whales is a heinous crime." Is such a hypocritical statement because all Pi has done while stranded is kill things to survive. He doesn't believe in killing animals, yet he does it anyway. So he ends up contradicting his own statement.

Daniel Peterson said...

When Pi first deploys the solar stills he he has his doubt about them but they are a crucial part of his survival

As well as eating like an animal Pi kills like an animal. When he first hunted he hestitated and cringed at the thought of killing other creatures. He now dismantles fish in seconds.

He put in so much time and energy constructing the raft, I'd imagine that would crush his spirits, aside from that the raft was also his plan B in case Richard Parker should turn on him.

It could be the author relaying that message, but it also seems completely within Pi's trait. The statement was hypocritical because Pi was slaughtering and devouring anything he could catch. He'd probably hunt the whale if it was possible.

Unknown said...

I am also unclear about the whole water situation. At times it seems like Pi and Richard Parker have more than enough water, when other times it seems like they are barely getting by. I have noticed how Pi has changed with his eating habits. He not only is eating like an animal but killing like one to. He stopped feeling bad about it and recognizes that he needs to survive. I think Pi feels the loss of the raft was fatal to his spirits because he saw the raft as an escape method from Richard Parker if he needed it. When the raft was gone he lost his security of having an escape route and felt trapped.

Paige said...

It sounds like he should have enough water but he describes the thirst in detail.

He has regressed to animal-like behavior in that he is thinking in terms of survival instead of pleasure or happiness. Also, he has animal-like behavior when he expresses his dominance over Richard Parker and sets up their territories.

The loss of the raft did not help Pi's spirits because tending the knots gave him something to do to pass the time. It became part of his routine.It was a safe haven away from Richard Parker. It was a source of pride and losing it was probably devastating.

The irony in the hunting statement is that Pi and Richard Parker both have become scavengers, finding food in any form and devouring it. Pi regularly killed fish and turtles for food, so saying that hunting a whale is a crime is hypocritical.

Karee.Kunkel said...

I am confused about how much water Pi and Richard Parker actually have, especially since they are forced to share what they do have. How do they at times have an abundance and at other times struggle? Pi has become animal like not only with his eating habits, but also in how he obtains the food, and how he shows his dominance. I think Pi’s spirit is broken because he saw his hopes at a plan B diminish. The loss left him isolated and in a predicament.

Kelso Stark said...

Considering that an adult tiger needs more water than a human, I'd say Pi has every right to be panicked about their water source.

Pi is eating like an animal in the way that he tears up fish, turtles, and dorados the way the hyena tore up the zebra. He is also animal like in the way that he tries to be dominant over Richard Parker; eating a tiger's feces seems to be taking it a little too far...

On the lifeboat, Pi has very little. Besides losing what might make him safe from Richard Parker, should he ever come onto Pi's territory on the boat, he also lost one of his posessions and a way to gather food.

I believe it was Pi that stated this. What's ironic that if Pi could kill a whale to eat it, he probably would.

HannahMcBride said...

I think the solar stills give Pi enough water to survive but in the heat it still isnt enought to keep him hydrated because he has to split the water with Richard Parker to keep him alive as well. Pi eats like and animal and not he is like an animal too because he is naked. He doesnt have clothes to protect him from anything he is naked just like animals would be. He acts like an animal because he tries to be number one and take control of Richard Parker like any animal would.

The loss of the raft is fatal to Pi's spirit but not his survival because he can survive on the boat as long as Richard Parker does not attack him but there is no where for Pi to escape. The raft was a place where Pi could "get away" from things and now it is gone and all Pi has is a tiger.

Pi is hypocritical when he says hunting whales is a heinous crime because Pi has been killing animals as much as possible and if he could he would most likly kill the whale to survive.

Unknown said...

When you think about it...we need to consume 8 glasses a water a day to remain healthy. There is no way that it could be evaporating quick enough to support the water needs of the tiger and Pi...they were going so long with probably half of what they really needed and it is slowly catching up to their systems. Thats at least what I make of it.

The ways in which he kills the animals is what seperates killing to survive, and killing like an animal. Pi's gory ways of killing his prey is starting to make him animal-like.

The raft was a major part of why he survived. Think of almost dying then having someone rescue you. You find out months later that person died of cancer...you would be crushed. Definitly a more intesne situation, but same thing.

I think it is Pi, and it is very hypocritical based on how many animals Pi has killed so gruesomely. You'd think a whale wouldn't be any different?

Unknown said...

Pi has also regressed to animal-like behavior by the way he kills animals and treats Richard Parker. I noticed Pi acting more like an animal in chapter 76 when he talks about how he ate the turtle and when he growled at Richard Parker. I think the loss of the raft was more fatal to Pi’s spirits because he put a lot of effort into the raft and he has lost so much already. The quote is in Pi’s voice and it is hypocritical because he thinks that killing this certain animal is terrible but he has been killing a lot of other animals.

Blake Miller said...

Not only is Pi eating like an animal, but he is also obtaining his food in an animal-like way. He has stopped feeling sorrow for killing animals as well as starting to kill them in savage ways. Also, the way Pi is attempting to become the leader with Richard Parker is very animal like. Animals all the time assert dominance over one another.

The loss of the raft brought no physical pain to Pi, but probably tore apart his spirits. For Pi the raft was a safe haven from Richard Parker, as well a project that will pass the time. Pi has spent many hours improving that raft and was probably extremely proud of his accomplishment.

I find the whale hunting statement to by hypocritical of Pi due to the fact that he has been hunting other animals for food and killing them in a savage manner.

JacksonLamb said...

It seems that Pi would have enough water through the solar still and the rain water and he is mixing Richard Parkers with salt water. But i guess they are in the blazing sun all day with no source of shade. And with Pi's strength becoming weaker everyday its possible that he is bringing less water in everyday.
Pi has regressed because he is no longer a vegararian but now he is savagly killing the animals he gets for food. He has went from one extreme to the opposite extreme.
Losing the raft affected Pi's spirit more than his body because he knew that Richard Parker probably wasnt going to hurt him if he hadnt hurt him by now but he lost his sense of safty i think by losing the raft now he doesnt have an area to be safe if Richard Parker does choose to eat him.
That statement is hypocritical of Pi because he is doing the same thing to animals and he is probably killing the animals he catches more brutally.

Sophia Marciniak said...

For so long Pi was concerned with harming and eating the sea life because of his prior vegetarian lifestyle. However, as he grows in his desperation for food, killing animals becomes a minor detail. Pi repeats more than once throughout the novel that animlas usually only kill people out of desperation, and that is exactly what he is doing. He also grows very efficient in the quick way he kills fish and turtles. This can be compared to the same way Richard Parker swatted at the flying fish the first time; killing quickly and efficiently.

I think the raft was fatal to Pi's spirits because the boat had not yet been seriously harmed by the sea. The moment that he realized the raft was missing, he also realized that he is not invincible. He depended on the raft so much as a source of food and an escape from Richard Parker.

Pi thinking that killing whales is heinous crime is extremely hypocritical. How is that any different than him hunting fish and turtles?

Logan Smith said...

I would be very afraid in Pi's position with water. He has to share everything with this tiger and what if it isn't enough there is always that impending fear that i wont have enough water or food. I could be killed by a tiger if I don't have enough.

Morgan Rinckey said...

The loss of the raft was so dejecting to Pi because it was a chance of survival. If he needed to get away from Richard Parker for a little while he could escape quickly onto the raft. But now if that ever occurred he would either be in a boat with a feral tiger or in the Pacific Ocean full of sharks.

I think the hunting of whales quote was spoke by the author. Yes, Pi is anti-animal death but it seems like a off topic idea that the author brought in.

Leah Shear said...

He has regressed to animal like behavior by marking his territory with urine and standing on the tarpaulin and yelling and blowing the whistle.

The raft acted as a safe haven away from R.P, even though he can swim, the raft gave Pi a safe distance from R.P. and let his mind be at peace knowing that he was 40 or so feet away from the tiger.

This is the voice of Pi. This statement is so hypocritical because he has killed numerous fish and other animals, but to him the whale was a sign of relief. He tells himself that whales are telling each other about him and they will send a ship his way and he will be rescued.

Josh Ortiz said...

He starts eating like an animal because he has no other option and i mean who is trying to impress anyway he can eat however he wants, the loss of the raft would be demoralizing probably because he really liked the raft and probably was a little bit sketched out sharing a lifeboat with a hungry tiger.