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?