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Of the many times I've fallen into a lion's pit and been torn to pieces, I never once thought about why the lion did it...
Interesting insight into lion training here...the narrator tends to lean on anthropomorphism a lot in this section. Does that take away from his role as an expert in this case?
Again, a kind of symbolic parable about humans as much as it is a section on animal behavior...what does your crazy English teacher mean by this?
19 comments:
How a Super-Alpha Male lion trainer asserts his dominance is like how the top boss in a business asserts his dominance to those of them who is lower then them in a job.
The narrator's reliance on the idea of anthropomorphism in this section does two different things in my mind. I agree that it does take away from the idea that he is an expert. It does not sound as professional and developed. Though the reliance on anthropomorphism does make this section a little more reader-friendly. It is easier to relate the information to previous knowledge.
This section is a symbolic parable about humans. There are similarities between how the lions will react and how humans manage their lives, more specifically their social lives. The social status is important not only in the animal world, but it matters to humans as well. As in the lion's mind, sometimes the way a person acts and looks will change the way someone else looks at them. This section shows more about the similarities between human and animal behavior than just why a lion tears a person to pieces if they fall into a lion's pit.
The lion trainer makes his dominance known by showing "Alpa" characteristics, Pi tells us that the animals or trainer and animals do not have to fight to claim dominace that most the time a meeting is suffcent enough to make the animal bck down and not mess with the other animal or trainer. Pi also tells us most the time animls attack becuse of fear not out of dominance issues or hunger.
I do not think that the narrator's reliance on anthropomorphism takes away from any expertise he has. Personally, I feel that anyone can learn/memorize the behavior of a lion or any animal for that matter and spout of the terminology. To relay that terminology so the average layman can understand it takes the understanding of an expert. I did not even know that I was supposed to be under the impression that Pi is a legitimate expert in this area, am I?
My opinion on this section though has nothing to do with anyone's expertise or some deep metaphor or parable about humans and animals. I think everything is rather plain and there when you read the sections. To me it doesn't have much to do with relating humans to animals or vice versa. Maybe it all comes down to the fact that humans really aren't much different in their behaviors to animals. I don't think it's a metaphor- it'simply what is. I think one would be quick to read more deeply into this section than is necessary because of the way we as humans define our traits and how we define an animal's. We as humans establish boundaries; animals are territorial. Humans make up euphemisms, animals do not.
Who knew that all you had to do to become king is show dominance? It makes sense i guess when your face to face with a lion my first reaction would be to pee my pants. But unless you intrude in their area the book makes them seem like the lions wont mind you. When you hear of people getting attacked by animals you automactically blame it on the animal and not the person. But i guess in most cases it would be the humans fault for making the animal feel threated or in harms way. When you make an animal feel that way their only reaction is to attack thats all they know how to do.
The use of anthropomorphism doesn’t take away from his expertise; I believe it adds to it. Not only is he able to understand how the animals’ minds work, but he’s able to put it into terms that anyone could understand.
Instead on focusing on the animals being submissive, he stresses the dominance of the human trainer and shows it from his/her point of view. He doesn’t give the lion human thoughts and reasoning, but he uses the trainer’s human thoughts and reasoning to show his/her dominance and how the animals will submit and obey him/her.
I don't feel that his use of anthropomorphism takes away from his being an expert; in fact I feel it adds to it. If someone know how someone, or something, thinks that would give them a better insight to the thing itself. Would you rather visit a professional who only knows about his field or one who knows his field, how it works, and everything about it? Humans like how Pi talks about lions, have a place or maybe everyplace where they feel that they are the alpha and if someone encroaches on that space without permission or reason the human will react in a way that is most of the time not violent but the human equivalent to ripping someone to shreds. If someone comes somewhere with reason and authority a human will react in a calm matter knowing this person has power over them.
The use of anthropomorism in this section does not take away from the narrator's expertise. It shows that even though he knows all the sciene and technical terms, but he can also prove the same points in a different way. The similarities between humans and the animals is simple, they both strive for their status by establishing their rank right away. Animals either dominate or become dominated by the way one enters the area or by how they take control of the situation right away. Humans take contol of a situation by stating their social or work rank and taking control.
You never think of lions being scared by humans. I thought all of the detail into the lion training was very interesting. It makes sense though, if you show that you are not scared the other being will not feel as powerful. Animals and Humans both show their rank when they enter a situation. Animals show their dominance and humans show their social ranking, body, or other things they have depending on the situation they are in.
Using anthropomorphism does not take away his role as an expert in my opinion. In fact i say it enhances it. Zoology is the study of animals behavior, and descibing how the lion trainer asserts his dominance teaches the audiance the behavior of animals. Also, Pi puts it into terms the reader can understand. I think that this story really makes the reader think twice about what an animal is actually doing, and teaches the reader that animals are similar to humans. Social status matters to humans and animals.
I feel that the use of anthropomorphism added to the section, because it offered a different viewpoint that would not have been explored otherwise. While many novels focus on lion trainers getting the lions to behave in the way they want, the novels never investigate why the lions give in. I also noticed in this section that the narrator offers two different ways to gain dominance. The obvious way is by being the strongest and making sure everyone or every animal knows it. The less obvious option is by having something that the others want or need. The lion trainer is able to become a super alpha because he has the treats and attention to give to the lions. I think this section did teach us about humans and animals at the same time, because it showed that you can become powerful in more ways than just fighting, and that often times if you possess something that someone or something else wants you will always be in control.
These chapters of the book really did keep me interesting, truly because it makes sense in ways that I never thought of before. The lion trainer establishing dominance is an excellent example of that.The author’s use of anthropomorphism does not take away his role in this section. I think the use of anthropomorphism actually helps his role as an expert because it helps the readers understanding of the lions. It shows that he is also an expert who can project the ideas so that anyone could understand them. I agree with my classmates, that there is a similarity between humans and animals. A social status is very important in both worlds.
I have to agree that i have never really thought about why a lion does that, but dominance is the obvious choice. Dominance in human form is extremely common, especially in high school between social groups. Another place it is clearly shown is in the work place, not only between boss and employees, but even between coworkers. I have even seen it within families.
Throughout the beginning of the novel, I have been intrigued by the many stories about animal behavior. Although it has not happened yet, I believe the stories about animal behavior foreshadows the behavior of Pi's shipmates. Will Pi become the dominant presence in the life boat, or will he become "beta male" to another "alpha male?" Personally, I believe Pi will use similar techniques to the lion trainer to establish himself as the alpha among the animals. On a side note, I would like to recognize and give praise to the writing ability of Yann Martel. Although the first chunk of the story is full of background information and short anecdotes, I remained attentive to the novel. Unlike many books that have a slow start and build up to the action, the author is able to make rather boring topics upbeat and surprising. Martel landed on a gold mine by exposing people's curiosity towards animals with interesting little anecdotes.
It is interesting that the author references this type of behavior in lions. If they are placed in an arena or anything of the sort first, they are automatically the dominate creature of that space. As soon as someone else comes into their territory, they are defensive and aggressive. Humans are the same way. If they have been somewhere longer and are more familiar with their surroundings and an outsider comes along then they put a wall and are defensive about their territory as well.
I feel that being able to take knowledge of animal behavior and connect it with human behavior (and vice versa) shows more knowledge than simple regurgitation of observations ever could.
It doesn't take much skill to read a text book about lion behavior. Being able to apply it to broader situations shows a much more thorough understanding of the subject. (Unfortunately, this probably understands why essay questions are so commonplace.)
Personally, I feel that this symbolism is especially effective because it is equally as true on both sides. It doesn't feel contrived or heavy-handed, something I appreciate in my symbolism.
Gangs are very popular in prison for many of the same reasons. These people are in prison, some of them for the rest of their lives. They have very little left to lose, but membership in a gang ensures that they have people looking out for them.
Dictators, also, preyed on the weak to gain power. Hitler used Germany's ruined economy to gain power, and Germans were, on the whole, willing to do whatever it took to regain stability. Communists in Russia used unrest and famines to convince people to join, and people were more than eager for what little amounts of power (real or imaginary) the leaders were willing to dish out.
A lion trainer shows he is the Alpha male, even though a full grown male lion could rip a man apart in a matter of seconds. It’s funny how some people think they can control animals by locking them in cages and threatening them with whips. A lion is not something that can be tamed, why else would the ring leader need to show dominance?
The end.
Humans' decisions on social order are made the same way lions make theirs. We all know that size doesn't really matter, but what one is capable of is determined by the mind. The mind influences how one acts and so how one acts gives people a glimpse of one's mind. You can tell a lot from how people hold them selves up, their demeanor, their gait, their speech, their tone, their facial expressions. We admire people for some of their traits and then unconsciously put them on a pedestal and then act differently around them. It's no different with lions.
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