Heart of Darkness: Section 3

Here is the text for Section 3:

Heart of Darkness: Section 3

Heart of Darkness: Section 2

Here is the text for section 2.\

Heart of Darkness, Section 2

TPCASTT Criteria

Poetry TPCASTT

Title

§ This step asks that you look at the title and take an educated guess at what the poem might be about. The key is to do this before you read any of the poem.

§ There is no right or wrong response to the title, but you must demonstrate a genuine effort in your educated guess.

Paraphrase

§ Read the poem.

§ Paraphrase the poem. Focus on the literal interpretation of the poem. Don’t try to analyze the poem at this point. Stick to what appears in black and white.

Connotations

§ Focus on key words and explain whether certain words have connotations.

§ Look for words that have positive or negative connotations.

§ Focus on words that give you an image in your mind.

Attitude

§ What is the tone that the speaker takes in the poem?

§ Look for loaded words and repetition of images or symbols.

§ What emotions do you notice when you read the poem? Is it sarcastic? Is it celebratory? Is it angry?

Shift(s)

§ Identify shifts in the poem. Do you notice a mood change? Do you notice a change in the subject?

§ Identify what line(s) where the shift takes place.

§ Explain what the shift is (mood, subject, etc.).

Title (again)

§ Now that you have read the poem, take a look at the title again.

§ Write down your interpretation of the poem now that you have read it and analyzed it.

Theme

§ What is the main idea of the poem? What is the author trying to say that goes beyond the literal meaning of the poem?

Heart of Darkness

The link below will take you to the full text of Heart of Darkness. We started the story with section 1. Just click on the title below, and it will take you to the novel.

Heart of Darkness

Paul's Case

http://www.gregoryspears.com/paul2.jpg

Here is the story from class today. If you didn't finish reading it, do so this evening, as we will be talking about it in class tomorrow.

Paul's Case, by Willa Cather

A Good Man is Hard to Find

http://heyoscarwilde.com/jesse-hamm-flannery-oconner/

Here is a link to the short story from class (just click on the title below):

A Good Man is Hard to Find

The Paper

http://serc.carleton.edu/images/sp/carl_ltc/wacn/writing.jpg

I would like you to use this blog post to ask questions you may have about writing the paper. As the questions come, I will answer them here. This will allow me to answer your questions in a more efficient manner, as students tend to ask similar questions.

Due to my own failure to read through the assignment page carefully, there has been some confusion about the writing prompt. It should read:

"Both novels have stories and storytelling at the core of their plots. Choose one of the novels and write an essay that explains how storytelling or stories are involved in the plot and how that involvement helps shape the novel. 

I expect a solid introduction and conclusion. Your paper should provide insightful analysis using specific examples of support. Show me what you know. No research is to be included in this essay."

So you should only be writing about one of the two novels in the paper. The test on the first day will be on both novels, but your paper should only be about one of them. 

If you have other questions, leave them in a form of a comment on this post. 

The Tiger's Wife: Chapter 13

http://www.americanaexchange.com/ae/AEMonthly/AEMonthlyArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=936&Type=Articles&Month=5&Year=2010

So who is it that the narrator has followed? The deathless man? The mora? Someone else? What evidence leads you to your conclusion?

Is there irony in the fact that the narrator has promised not to tell the wife, yet she is telling us the whole story?

What are your thoughts on the ending of this novel? Is it a satisfactory ending? Why/why not?

Now that you have finished the novel, look at the last page where there are questions for a book club. Some of them are very good. You may want to address one or more of these here. If your version doesn't have the questions, find someone who does have the questions.

The Tiger's Wife: Chapter 12

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What is it about the apothecary's story that explains who he became as a person? What attributes would you imagine him having based on his experiences before he became an apothecary?

The apothecary learned that "people would turn first to superstition to find meaning, to stitch together unconnected events in order to understand what was happening." What do people in the United States today look to when they seek understanding?

Why does the apothecary kill the tiger's wife? How did this shape the narrator's grandfather?

What makes the apothecary so intensely still and "steady and resigned" as he waited for his execution? What had pulled the fight out of him?

Why does Marko say, "What has that got to do with anything?" Why isn't the burial spot of the tiger's wife important to him?

The Tiger's Wife: Chapter 11

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What would it be like to watch the bombing of Bedford on TV as we sat in our Bedford homes? Would we be like the characters in the book and stick it out? Go to coffee houses? I hope it never happens, but I wonder how we'd all react. Would we make signs of protest? Would we unite to save on of the stables full of horses in the area?

Disturbing images from Zora and the narrator's experiences in the hospital. How is it possible to deal with that level of destruction to the human body?

When telling of how crippled animals are treated in the United States, the narrator says, "They're self-righting." What does she mean by this statement?

On p. 283, the narrator pontificates about the differing natures of war. What might this reflect about the author's views of war?

Review the three sections where the narrator's grandfather starts his stories about the deathless man. Do the descriptions of the grandfather's actions as he begins each part of the story reveal anything?

On the bottom of p. 284, the grandfather tells about the religious differences between he and his wife. What point is he making here?

It just occurred to me to ask this, though I have wondered it throughout the story: why does the deathless man always ask for water?

What is narghile? tumbak?

Was the woman whom the deathless man was with the same woman who abandoned Luka on his wedding day?

Why do you think the deathless man's favorite story from The Jungle Book is Rikki Tikki Tavi's story?

The deathless man says the grandfather will die with suddenness, but we know that he suffers for quite some time before his death. How does this make sense?

Is there any significance in the death of the zoo tiger?

What is the deathless man suggesting when he tells the narrator's grandfather to break the cup?

The Tiger's Wife: Chapter 10

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What explanation can you come up with for Arlo's death based on the information provided? What causes the awkwardness in the conversation between the narrator and Fra Anton as he tells the story of his brother's death?

Why do you think Fra Anton is so protective of the narrator? What is he protecting her from (or, rather, what does he think he is protecting her from)?

Who takes the jar? Why do you think she follows the man?

The Tiger's Wife: Chapter 9

http://www.knoxville.com/news/2010/dec/24/bear-man-ed-corbin-true-grit-jeff-bridges/

How closely are taxidermy and the profession of the butcher associated? Is there a tie between Darisa and Luka? If taxidermy is "restoring the dead," what is the job of a butcher?

Interesting...we have Darisa hunting for Death, and the deathless man, who is related to Death...

What is the relationship between hunting and death? By default, then, what is Darisa's relationship with death once he becomes a great hunter?

Why wasn't Darisa with his cart and oxen? Was this a trap set by him to catch the tiger? Or the tiger's wife? And what hit the tiger when it attacked the oxen? Darisa was nowhere in sight...

Why did Darisa try to kill the tiger's wife and the narrator's grandfather? What reasoning would he have?

The Tiger's Wife: Chapter 8

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What do you think is in the blue bag?

Why does Dure stuff his relive's body into the valise? How would one even manage this?

Why does the narrator volunteer to go to the crossroads for Dure and his family? Is it only to get the kids to the clinic, or is there another reason?\

Although filled with superstitions, this burial is not much more odd than the burial traditions of many religions and cultures. What burial traditions do you find odd in today's society...or even in your own religion?

The Tiger's Wife: Chapter 7

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Why start the story of the tiger immediately following the story of the deathless man? Is there a connection?

Notice the foreshadowing in the first section of Chapter 7 (pg. 191 in my version).

What is a gusla? What is significant about this item that makes it a great symbol for the story?

We seem to get a lot of extraneous information in this story, especially about Luka. Assuming that it is not extraneous -- that the author does, indeed, have a purpose for this information -- what would that purpose be? Why do we need to know that Luka is a homosexual? Why do we need to know about his goals and aspirations? Find a piece of information that you thought was pointless and try to figure out why that information might actually have purpose and meaning.

Why does Vera allow the narrator's grandfather to carry on a relationship with the tiger's wife?

Do you think Luka was killed by his wife? By the tiger? Or do you think he finally just left?

Why do you think the tiger's wife gave him the hair?

The Tiger's Wife: Chapter 6

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It seems that a lot of older people get together to discuss and reminisce about things, sometimes at the VFW, sometimes the bingo hall, or sometimes at bridge parties. Do your grandparents do this? Your parents? What is their standing date with their friends? What purpose does this type of get together serve in the bigger scheme of things? What do these gatherings tell us about ourselves as humans?

Who do you think is the "stupid son of a bitch" that her grandfather is referring to while tending to the Marshall? What was the real cause of his illness?

Her grandfather makes two rather cryptic statements: "You'll be leaving God out of it, then," followed closely by, "With children, you're on your own." Explain what he means here.

How does one develop "nonchalance in the face of death"? Why do doctors need this attitude? Is it a healthy attitude for doctors to have? Does it make them better doctors?

What do you make of the story of the lake-house fire? Why is this such an important memory for the narrator? Why does her grandfather choose the day after the fire to continue the story of the deathless man? is there a connection?

What is your take on visions of iconic religious figures in everyday items (Jesus in a French fry, Mary in a bagel, etc.)? Do you believe these claims when you hear them? Have you seen one in person? How do you react to these sorts of claims?

Why does the deathless man feel that his situation is punishment? What makes it feel like punishment?

The Tiger's Wife: Chapter 5

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Why would her grandfather have gone in search of the deathless man so late in his life?

How did the barman figure out that she was related to the man who had died (her grandfather)?

What is significant about the death of the boys?

Why is the narrator still being so secretive about her whereabouts when it comes to Zora, her bff?

This book relies very heavily on description. Do you feel the description serves a purpose most of the time, or do you think it's just window dressing? Give an example and explain your thoughts.

The Tiger's Wife: Chapter 4

http://scienceray.com/biology/how-tigers-hunt-tiger-hunting/

How is anthromorphism put to work in the story of the tiger? What purpose does it serve for the author?

How does this tiger's story parallel that of Pi's story? How are the two tigers different at this point?

Great quote: "...if you are making your journey in a hurry, you are making it poorly."

Why is everyone in Galina so bothered by outsiders?

What would make someone want to entice a tiger with meat and continually bring it closer to them? If you were enticing a tiger, would you want to lure it further away from you?

What is a bey?

There are two stories about the tiger hunt -- the real story and the one manufactured by the survivors. Why do you think they made up the story they told to the town?

The Tiger's Wife: Chapter 3

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Why is Dure so adamant about not taking his kids to a doctor?

Do you see any parallels or links between this chapter and the the story of the deathless man?

Does your family or anyone you know still believe in and/or practice home remedies for illnesses? What are they? Do they work?

The Tiger's Wife: Chapter 2

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What happened at Sarobar? What is rakija?

Have you ever had a ritual or standing date with a parent or grandparent that you grew out of over the years? Did you make it clear that you had outgrown it? How was that message received?

A view of wartime that we rarely get...those not close to the fighting were leading a relatively normal life. Does this seem surprising?

What would you do if there was a war going on in our country...say, in Minnesota (assuming the Canadians have attacked)? Would you go to school? Would you sell contraband on the black market? Would you try to acquire things from the black market? Where would you fall in this spectrum?

Why does grandfather act so defiantly, knowing that he may be risking his family's well being?

What is the strangest, most interesting thing you've seen at night? Share with us...if we're worthy...

Do you have any stories that have been passed down to you? Give a brief summary and then explain why the story is important to you.

What are your thoughts on the story of the deathless man?

The Tiger's Wife: Prologue and Chapter 1

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In the epilogue, why isn't the narrator more affected by the tiger attack? It must have been traumatic to watch...After the attack, how is she able to still love the tigers instead of fearing them?

40 days of the soul...what religion are we talking about here? What war is being referenced?

Why is this family so secretive that they will resort to lies about health issues? Is your family like this at all?

Her grandmother clearly knows that the narrator is lying to her. Why doesn't she press harder once she knows this?

What's with all the drawings and portraits of the dog?

What does the fact that the parrot spouts poetry tell us as readers?

Why do Barba and Nada allow the diggers to stay at their house? What does this tell us about them?

Why doesn't Natalia tell Zora about her grandfather's death yet? They are supposed to be BFFs.

Taking a breather...

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OK...so we're done with Pi...on to The Tiger's Wife...after a quick breather. Good work! Hope you enjoyed the novel. I think you'll enjoy this next novel even more.

Life of Pi: Chapters 99-100

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Pi comes off as very clever in Chapter 99. He disproves their doubt about bananas floating, he disproves their doubt about the island using a bonsai tree, he tries to disprove their doubt about the tiger by bringing up the Zurich black panther. Why isn't he wholly successful in fighting the doubts?

Great section in Chapter 99: "Don't you bully me with your politeness!" In fact that whole section of the novel is solid. Your thoughts? 

So which story do you believe...the first story of the boat wreck, or the second?

Whenever one sees something different or odd in the structure of the text it should send up a red flag that cries for attention  from the locals. What is the significance of the author using bold with different font for the translated Japanese? What does it add to the story? 

Which story does the Japanese insurance man end up believing? Why do you think that's so? 

Life of Pi: Chapters 95-98

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Why does the reporter make it sound like the trip from California  to see Pi in Mexico was so arduous?

What does the conversation reveal about Pi in Chapter 96?

Chapter 97...The story...what? Was it the exact same story we just read? Same exact details?

What's significant about the translated part of Chapter 98? What does it tell us about Pi?

Life of Pi: Chapters 92-94

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What is a chimera? What significance might this have to the story?

The island seems to be a utopia, a nirvana, a heaven at first. Then, after Pi examines the fruit of the tree, the island seems to be some kind of hell. How can this be explained? Is there symbolism at work here? If so, explain that symbolism as you understand it.

Why is it that most people seem  to turn to God only as a last resort (in the heat of battle, after a car crash, etc.)?

Who botched the farewell -- Pi or Richard Parker? Why is it significant that Richard Parker just lunged into the jungle without looking back?

Life of Pi: Chapters 90-91

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Going blind? How would he catch fish or turtles? How would he avoid Richard Parker if necessary? A bleak situation. How would you try to adapt to such a situation?

"To be blind is to hear otherwise." Try to simulate it. Close your eyes and just listen when you're somewhere public. Do you hear things differently? How so?

Kind of a murky chapter...what do you make of it? He seems to hallucinate a conversation with Richard Parker, and Richard Parker tells him he's killed humans before -- out of necessity. Then he seems to have a real conversation with another castaway in another boat. When that castaway threatens to kill Pi, Richard Parker kills the castaway. Did this really happen, or is it a figment of Pi's imagination? What hints are there?

Pi resorts to cannibalism...I think. Was this necessary for survival? He seemed to be doing well in his fishing with the human bait...

Life of Pi: Chapters 85-89

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The power of nature -- especially during the most violent storms -- is truly awe-inspiring. Have you ever witnessed a state of nature where you felt there MUST be a higher power based on the power and majesty of nature at that moment? Take me there.

Put yourself in Pi's position during the oil tanker encounter. What effect would that have on you afterwards?

Why does Pi express his undying love for Richard Parker? What is that love based on?

What purpose does the dream rag serve? What might it symbolize?

What is significant about the trash heap that floats by?

Why put a note in a bottle and release it in the ocean where not even something as large as a lifeboat can be seen from a ship, let alone a bottle?

At the end of this section, there seems to be a complete loss of hope -- yet we know that Pi continues on in the face of this utter hopelessness. How does he manage this? What drives him to stay alive?

Life of Pi: Chapters 82-84

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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?

Life of Pi: Chapters 79-81

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Apparently, Pi had not seen the movie Jaws. After I saw that movie, I was even nervous to swim in pools.

What do you think Richard Parker is thinking after his battle with the shark? Especially since Pi is the one who threw it his way...

"Of all the dorados, I remember one in particular, a special dorado." What was special about the dorado?

"I know my survival is hard to believe." Do you find the story hard to believe? Unbelievable? If so, what aspects are hard to swallow? If not, what makes is so believable?

Life of Pi: Chapters 76-78

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Interesting fact about hiding feces...I wonder if that's why we flush...and for those of you who leave a surprise in the toilet for others to discover, I wonder if you're trying to establish your dominance...or maybe you're just gross.

There MUST be a better way to establish dominance than luxuriating int the aroma of tiger feces...

I have had turtle soup -- made from snapping turtle. It was long ago, but I remember being surprised by its deliciousness...and the variety of flavors in the meat from different sections of the turtle's body. It was like a meat smorgasbord. I wonder why turtles are made this way...

I can't imagine myself EVER being hungry enough to try eating tiger poo...but I'm sure Pi couldn't imagine it either before this situation. G-R-O-S-S.

What are your thoughts on these chapters? Why do we need to know this information? What does this information add to the story?

Try this experiment: Go to a familiar place outdoors and lay down on your back so you can see the sky. Look at the sky from this position for three days straight, three times a day. Take notes that describe the sky. Let me know what you saw.

Try the above with a body of water if you're on vacation or near enough to Luna Pier that you can just stop there easily. Let me know what you saw.

Pi provides great insights into what it must be like to be a castaway.

Life of Pi: Chapters 73-75

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"I cannot think of a better way to spread the faith. No thundering from a pulpit, no condemnation from bad churches, no peer pressure, just a book of scripture quietly waiting to say hello, as gentle and powerful as a little girl's kiss on your cheek." What do you think of this quote? Break it down and think about it a bit.

What are murtis? pujas? prasad? Where is Mecca?

Finally some religious thought -- starting with doubt. How is it possible that God -- any god, really -- has the power to take someone out of the despair that Pi is documenting here? How hard would it be to maintain faith? What would that take?

Although Chapter 75 is very short (one sentence), it is very powerful if you think about it. Where does its power come from?

Life of Pi: Chapters 70-72

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I don't understand why running from Richard Parker -- which has worked well so far -- is suddenly out of the question. Why does there need to be a change?

Pi continues to become more savage, but is seems Richard Parker is becoming less so...is it just me?

I know Pi is telling his story from a point in the future, but how does he know that his plan of action will work as he's doing it? How does he know what Richard Parker thinks is his territory? How does he know the exact right level of provocation?

So the plan is to make the tiger seasick and have him associate the whistle with seasickness...Although it apparently worked for Pi, I wouldn't recommend this strategy...ever...

How is it that Pi knows so much about a tiger's reticence to fight? He better be sure of that info...

Life of Pi: Chapters 67-69

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Pi, in his various states of hunger, tries eating everything that even resembles food. What is the most disgusting thing you've eaten on purpose? What would you refuse to eat?

As Pi looks down on the little biospheric colony below him, there's a sense of deity there. In what way has Pi himself become like a deity?

What is significant about Pi and Richard Parker's sleep patterns? What do the patterns indicate about each of them?

What are the positives and negatives of igniting the flares whenever Pi sees a light in the distatnce?

Life of Pi: Chapters 64-66

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A body covered in boils...reminiscent of any Bible story you might be familiar with? (A leading question, really...so which Bible story does it resembel?) Are there stories in Islam or Hindu that have a similar situation?

In what ways does time become distance for Pi?

Pi has become quite the hunter/fisherman. Even thought it is sometimes days between catches, he has become much better. What religious icons/allusions do you find here?

Pi has also become much more savage in his behavior. Just what separates man from animal?

Life of Pi: Chapters 62-63

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What will have a stronger effect on Richard Parker -- being provided with food or being provided with water? Explain how the whistle works in this plan.

Who is Steven Callahan? The Bailey family? Poon?

Wow! That's pretty amazing...he survived 227 days...seven months!Wow.

I see that his days are full of prayers, but I am not seeing a lot of religious thought on his part. Pi seems to share all of his other thoughts...it just seems strange that in a life and death situation, religious fervor or religious doubt don't creep into his thoughts once in a while. Why do you think this is so?

So Pi was rescued on Valentine's Day...any possible connection between the holiday's history and Pi's dilemma?

It would seem logical to me to keep track of days and to keep looking for rescue ships. Why does he stop?

Life of Pi: Chapters 59-61

I find it somewhat implausible that Pi can do all of the things he says he did in Chapter 59...but let's assume it's plausible. What would make it plausible? How might he know some of these things or figure them out?

How does Pi earn the hope he feels at the end of Chapter 59?

Explain the inner-turmoil Pi is experiencing in Chapter 60. Does it make sense to you?

A question for those of you who have fished: What is the strangest bait you have used that was successful? Tell the story.

Do you believe what Pi said about humans getting used to anything -- even killing? Do you have examples to support your belief? Do share.

Life of Pi: Chapters 56-58

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Explain the extended metaphors used by Pi to explain how fear is "life's only opponent." Are these apt comparisons? Where does religion come into play with fear? Why do you think that's not covered here?

Pi knows a lot about tiger sounds. Explain the significance of prusten. Why do you think it is so rare to hear?

In your own words, describe how it is that Richard Parker is the reason Pi lived through this ordeal.

I like to think I'm pretty brave, but I would never blow a whistle to scare a tiger that was on a boat with me. N-E-V-E-R.

I learned a few things from the bulleted list that came from the survival manual. What did you learn? What was of most interest to you? What did you already know?

Describe the shift in Pi's state of mind after he reads the survival guide.

Life of Pi: Chapters 53-55

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In Chapter 53, there is a list of questions in the second paragraph. Why does he ask these questions, many of which can be answered by his inventory in Chapter 52?

The voice inside Pi -- is that God or Pi's connection to God? Who is his self-affirmation addressed to?

Bated breath -- breath that is subdued due to some emotion or difficulty...Baited breath -- freshened breath that will lure others and attract them.

Suddenly, Pi becomes Bear Grylls (pictured above in Man vs. Wild) when putting his raft together. Is it plausible that Pi has these skills?

Can you identify the deus ex machina in this section of the story and explain how it works?

So where is Pi better off...in the lifeboat or on the raft?

All of Pi's plans concerning Richard Parker are violent and/or suicidal. Why do you think that is?

If none of his plans will work -- not even a war of attrition -- what plan do you think WILL work?

Life of Pi: Chapters 50-52

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When can you remember being more thirsty than you've ever been before? Can you remember what it felt like to quench that thirst?

When you are extremely hungry, do you ever imagine what you're going to eat? Is the imagined meal so real to you that you actually begin to salivate? One time, when my daughter was extremely hungry after cross country practice, we stopped at Taco Bell. When she opened her mouth to take a bite of her taco, saliva shot out of her mouth like some kind of venomous snake or something. It was so cool! We laughed for about five minutes straight. End of story.

It's great that he found all of these rations, but two things creep into my mind when I think about his calculations for how long the supplies will last: 1) He's going to be eaten by either the hyena or the tiger, so it doesn't really matter, and 2) If he's not eaten by them, he should probably share his bounty with at least one of them in order to make an ally -- and by doing this, his calculations would change.

What is a solar still? Why are cigarettes in a survival kit?

Interesting that he ends his inventory of the boat with "1 God." He worships three different religions, so how can he say only "1 God" is on the boat? And which God is he referring to?

Life of Pi: Chapters 47-49

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Another gruesome scene with Orange Juice but not quite as graphic as the zebra. Pi describes the dead orangutan as looking Christ-like. In what way can the orangutan be seen as Christ-like, considering its behavior and its demise?

Why was Pi going to jump on the hyena? And why did the sight of Richard Parker stop him?

Interesting story about Richard Parker's naming. What about this story gives us insight into Richard Parker's personality or how he might behave today when it comes to temperament?

How is it possible that Pi could be on a 26-foot boat with an adult male tiger and not see him? Is this plausible?

Life of Pi: Chapters 45-46

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How would you maintain hope in this situation? What would YOU do to cling to hope?

Pi becomes a very reliable narrator here for me. He is very honest about his callousness towards the zebra's plight, even though he knows that what he's thinking might be abhorrent to some. Do you think he has the right attitude here, or does he seem like a heartless jerk?

In what way do you think the sea turtle will become a dear friend to Pi?

Extremely gruesome description of the hyena devouring the zebra. Why do you think Pi is so graphic here? Does it remind you of anything earlier in the novel?

Pi is finally grieving the loss of his family. Why do you think it took him this long to accept the fact that his family was dead?

Life of Pi: Chapters 42-44

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Pi continues to imbue human traits in his description of animals...but I do like the origin of the name "Orange Juice." Funny.

Pi grabs the net, a seemingly "casual gesture." Have you ever done something that seemed like no big deal when you did it but then it paid off for you with big dividends? Tell me about it.

The hyena's scream...was it a scream of pain? a scream of surprise? A scream of greeting?

I now have more information about hyenas than I ever wanted...but it was interesting information. Is the hyena sick? Why does it roll around in its own vomit?

Try to put yourself in Pi's position at this point of the novel: stranded on a boat with a zebra, a hyena, a tiger, and floating in shark-infested waters...what would you do?

Pi mentions the sound of flies. What are some of the connotations associated with flies?

What is it that Pi is leaving at the end of Chapter 44?

In Chapter 44 (page 118 of my version), find the paragraph that begins, "Darkness came. There was no moon." Do you see any religious aspects in this paragraph? If you do, explain...if not, read on.

Life of Pi: Chapters 39-41

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How did the zebra survive the force of hitting the lifeboat? Someone do the math for me...a 500 pound animal falling 40 feet...how fast would it have been going when it hit the boat?

Pi is kind of jumping around in time in this section, but I like the effect. Makes it feel like havoc.

What a dilemma...shark, tiger, or Pacific. Which way would you want to go if you had to choose?

It's amazing to me that humans think they can outsmart predators. Sure, there are a few hunters that may be able to, but I think the average person believes they would be able to outsmart a wild predator...hmph...humans...

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't feel any more secure with a wild hyena than I would with a tiger. Why is he so confident about the hyena initially?

There hasn't been much mourning expressed concerning the loss of his family. Why do you think that is?

Life of Pi: Chapters 37-38

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I find the dialogue (actually, it's more like a monologue) in these two chapters lacking believability. It feels too formal for the situation. Am I just being picky, or did you sense that, too?

Finally...Richard Parker is a tiger?!?!?!? Now the question is: Why name a tiger Richard Parker?

So Pi abandons the boat, leaving behind a zebra and a tiger. Are there any other survivors? Any other floating structures for Pi to latch on to?

Another great line: "It was as unbelievable as the moon catching fire."

Why do you think the Chinese crew threw Pi overboard?

Life of Pi: Chapter 36

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So...the narrator is a writer...and it would seem he's a reporter of some sort...so how could he have not known about Pi's family, dog, and cat? Does this speak to his lack of attention to detail or to Pi's lack of forthrightness? Does this diminish the reliability of the narrator in any way?

Why wouldn't Pi's story have a happy ending? What would make it unhappy?

Life of Pi: Chapters 34-35

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Why do governments make it so difficult to ship animals from one zoo to another? Why does it have to involve so much paperwork?

Why do you think people used to dress up so nicely to travel? Some still do today, though not so much. How do you dress when you are going on a flight or maybe even taking a cruise ship somewhere? What is acceptable these days?

Life of Pi: Chapter 33

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Why is it that there are no photographs to speak of to document Pi's childhood?

Pi seems sad that he can't remember what his mother looks like. It's clear that she has passed away. What about his father? Is he still alive? Or is he dead, too, and Pi can remember what he looks like...or maybe he just doesn't care that he can't remember his father...

Still unclear who Richard Parker is...

Life of Pi: Chapters 31-32

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"In all this there are messages indeed for a people who use their reason." (p. 82)  What are your thoughts on this quote?

What might be significant about the meeting of the two Mr. Kumars? Is there some symbolic meaning you can attach to this meeting? Or the fact that it took place by the zebras?

How might Chapter 32 be symbolic, considering the fact that Pi's family is on the verge of moving to Canada?

Life of Pi: Chapter 30

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So...it IS the older Pi in the italicized sections....Why is the narrator of these sections so surprised by the fact that Pi is married? And I'm still waiting to find out exactly who the narrator is...

Life of Pi: Chapter 29

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What were some of the national issues in India in the 1970s? Do a search and share what you find.

Great sentence: "The camel at the zoo was unfazed, but that straw broke Father's back."

Have you ever been uprooted by your family and forced to move away? What was the most difficult part for you?

Life of Pi: Chapters 26-28

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Why do Pi's parents find him so exasperating in Chapter 26?

Who is Sri Ramakrishna (pictured above)? Is this an apt comparison for Pi?

Use a search engine and answer this question for me: What were some of the biggest issues that the Indian people had with Mrs. Gandhi?

Is there any merit to Pi's parents' side of the issue at hand?

Why do you think that -- when all was said and done -- Pi's parents supported his religious potpourri?

Life of Pi: Chapters 23-25

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His father's religion is business, his mother's religion had been cancelled out, and his brother only worshiped sports. What moved Pi to three religious belief systems at one time?

Why can't Pi practice all three religions? Since our country is primarily Christian in its religious beliefs, from a Christian point of view, why would this be impossible?

How is it that Gandhi (pictured above) -- who is dead -- is able to settle this argument...kind of?

Assuming that all things in a book serve a purpose, why would Pi's story need to include an account of his brother's mockery? What does this add to the story?

What kind of behavior is Pi describing in Chapter 25? Does this behavior exist in American churches today?

Why would religious people want to keep Pi out of their church? No matter what religion we're talking about, isn't one of the basic tenets to love everyone?

Life of Pi: Chapters 21-22

Still not sure who this narrator is, but now I'm certain he is referring to an older version of Pi, as he refers to phrases Pi uses in Chapter 22.

Take a look at the block quotes he uses from his own writing. Do you think these ideas encapsulate religion? If so, which religion?

Explain the difference between an agnostic and an atheist.

In the back of my book, there is a reading group guide filled with questions. One of the questions reads, "Chapters 21 and 22 are very short, yet the author has said that they are at the core of the novel. Can you see how?" Well, can you?

Life of Pi: Chapters 18-20

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What are Bedouins? What are asanas? What is an imam? If you don't know, you're not doing your job...look them up.

What do you think Pi found appealing about the Muslim baker and his practicing of his faith?

Pi says that when he brought his forehead to the ground in prayer, "it felt like a deeply religious contact." Explain how you think that could be possible.

Mr. Kumar (the Muslim, not the scientist) is a hafiz. What is that and why is it impressive?

Have you ever been somewhere that made you feel as though it was heaven? Share that experience and describe your surroundings at that time to the best of your ability. What made it feel like heaven?

What do you think "a vision beyond a vision" is? Have you ever experienced this phenomenon?

Life of Pi: Chapter 17

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These are the hills of Munnar...just thought you should see where this chapter took place.

How much does religion shape our lives...from the earliest personal beginnings of our religious experiences to the institutions religion shapes, such as governments...how much does religion influence us on a daily basis?

How might someone from outside the Christian religion come to understand that Christianity has "few gods and great violence. But good schools"?

An interesting outsider's view of the crucifixion story -- great analogy used to describe the wonderful absurdity of God's sacrifice of Jesus when filtered through the human mind.

Quite an engaging conversion story...but not actually a conversion...more of a religious addition. Do you think it possible to be Hindu and Christian simultaneously? How does Pi pull this off?

Life of Pi: Chapters 15-16

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Above is the image of Ganesha -- he of the animal head -- the most popular image of the Hindu deities.

Interesting that the narrator (still don't know who that is in these sections) describes the house of his host as a "temple" and the host's kitchen as a "shrine." What do you make of all the religious icons to be found here?

Ganesha is the lord overcomer of obstacles, the god of good luck, the god of wisdom, and the patron of learning. Sounds like a good god to have on your side...but why does he travel on a rat? What is significant about that?

Although the house if filled with Hindu religious icons, these icons are juxtaposed with Christian icons. Why do you think this man has both so significantly displayed in his home?

As for the italicized sections, I have a theory at this point...the narrator of these sections is visiting an older version of Pi. Just a guess, and I can't tell you how I came to think this, but I can sense it...

Explain the message in the story about the dancing girls more clearly and with more detail than the narrator. In other words, what was the point of the story?

"...Hindus, in their capacity for love, are indeed hairless Christians, just as Muslims, in the way they see God in everything, are bearded Hindus, and Christians, in their devotion to God, are hat-wearing Muslims." What is the narrator suggesting here? [Warning: I am not asking for your religious opinions or a religious debate here...hold onto those thoughts...what I am asking for is a straightforward interpretation of the statement quoted above.]

Assume that it is possible for you to change religious beliefs...such as going from believing Christian teachings to believing Hindu teachings. For the sake of argument, just assume that's possible for you. Making the assumption that it is possible, what would it take for you to make that change? How long would it take to make a core value switch like that in your life?