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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?
6 comments:
The meeting of the two Mr. Kumars symbolizes the ability of two opposite entities to coexist, just like the contrasting stripes on a zebra. This is also like Pi’s devotion to many religions, showing that while they seemingly conflict, these religions can all thrive happily inside one person. While one Mr. Kumar is a devout Muslim and the other a strong atheist, they seem to get along just fine. Despite seeing the beauty of the zebra from different perspectives, they both see the beauty of the zebra. Again, this relates back to Pi’s religious potpourri; while all of the religions he practices glorify a divine presence in a different way, they all seek a divine presence. This is a very powerful symbolic statement- that all different religions/ethnicities/etc., while different on the outside, are truly all the same when you strip away the outer layers. If more people realized this, our society could be a much more peaceful place!
As Mr. Kumar, the Scientist, and Mr. Kumar, the Muslim baker, meet, the symbolic divide between religion and science is acknowledged. This event brings together two parts of Pi's life: religion and reason. Both of which, he is passionate about. The zebras show that two opposite ideas can exist as one without conflict. Chapter 32 is significant because Pi is aware that in Canada he will be the goat in a hippopotamus' habitat. He will be new and different but still there for a reason.
The quote from the Holy Qur'an "In all this there are messages indeed for a people who use their reason" is thought provoking. Taking it in context of being found in the Holy Qur'an, the statement to me seems a bit contradictory. Normally when discussing religion, the two sides are normally faith and reason, yet this statement found in the Qur'an as we are told, combines faith and reason. Taking the quote as is, without knowing it is from the Qur'an, it is vague. I suppose you could say that the phrase "in all this" could mean life and the world. Taking the quote in that direction, it changes things and makes one think in a different way. People who think logically and use reason do indeed find messages in the world and life.
I think that the meeting of the two Mr. Kumars could be significant because in a slightly confusing way it connects to the above quote. The quote in the context of being from the Qur'an blends faith and reason, just as the meeting of the two Mr. Kumars blends faith and reason in Pi's life. One Kumar is a Muslim, the faith aspect of Pi's life, however the other is an atheist, the reason part of Pi. The zebras as both Sami and Paige said, show the blending of things so opposite, faith and reason, atheist and Muslim, black and white.
I believe that this quote is saying that in all of the havoc that is happening in every day life, that one can use their own reason to earn a lesson from it. If one applies what they learn from a situation, it can help them and benefit them later in life.
I think the significance of the two Mr.Kumars meeting is that they were both so influential in Pi's life. One influenced Pi to study religion in college and the other influenced him to study zoology. Both Mr.Kumars were very influential to Pi early in life, but impacted him greatly towards his future. I think its is symbolic that it took place near the zebras because zebras represent individuality and I think this situation was very unique. The two people that influenced Pi more than anyone were together, even though they are polar opposites. Their personalities and beliefs shed off on Pi to create his own personality.
I believe that chapter 32 is symbolic people it foreshadows what happens when Pi lives on a boat with animals he is normally not with. Chapter 32 explains zoomorphism and it's relevance in their own zoo. This chapter shows that animals who normally wouldn't live together can live together in peace, foreshadowing what was to come.
The meeting of the two Mr. Kumars is like the zebras contrasting black and white stripes. It also shows how a man of religion and a man of reason can be in the same place at the same time and have no conflicts. Chapter 32 is symbolic of events that will happen later on in the book similar to the zoomorphism that is described in the chapter.
The end.
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