preview

How Did Pi Survive

Good Essays
Open Document

Pi’s survival with Islam In The Life of Pi, Yann Martel creates a dynamic character who becomes shipwrecked at sea, stuck with nothing but his varied religions and a tiger. The exceptionally strict rules of the religion of islam, and the need for routine helped Pi to keep moving on and give him a reason to live. It gives him a routine to follow every day and a real reason to go on. At his darkest times, when Pi felt as if he had no reason to carry on, Islam gave him reason. To understand why Islam was so important to Pi, it is important to realise what Islam is in itself. Islam originated in the world thousands of years ago. At its creation the basic beliefs, that people still carry out today, were too. These basic beliefs are the Five pillars. …show more content…

Each one has its own beliefs based around one central God. The largest group are the Sunnites. They are a very traditional group, focusing on the sayings of Muhammad and reinforcing the community. The Shiah are their “rival” group, being much more strict and believing that no one can understand the word of the Quran, are much smaller than the Sunnites. Community leaders known as Imams are the only to understand the Quran according to them. The newest sect and fastest growing one are the Sufis. Pi’s teacher was a Sufi so it is probable that Pi got his Sufi beliefs from …show more content…

Yet on top of this and his 2 other religions, he seemed to love it more than anyone could understand. He seems to take an early liking to the religion, saying “I challenge anyone to understand Islam, its spirit, and not to love it. It is a beautiful religion of brotherhood and devotion.” (Martel, 77). What appealed to Pi the most was the “deep religious contact.” (Martel, 77). Another reason Pi enjoys studying Islam is the simplicity of it. Few deities and complete devotion, leaving no room for Skepticality. It is this construct that draws Pi to the

Get Access