Life of Pi: Chapter 96 - 100

The ending left me shocked and disturbed. Tomohiro Okamoto and Atsuro Chiba of the Maritime Department in the Japanese Ministry of Transport are the two men that had interviewed Pi when he was at the hospital in Mexico. The two men ask him to tell his story and they are told everything that has happened. Okamoto and Chiba, however, do not believe him as there are flaws in his story. Pi then tells another story where he, his mother, a French cook, and a young chinese sailor were the ones in the lifeboat. The animals could be seen as representations of each person- Orange Juice would be the mom, the greedy French cook would be the hyena, and the dying zebra would be the sailor. Finally the tiger would represent Pi. The ending really showed how fiction can be much more comforting than dealing with the truth. The story with the animals was much easier to bear than the one without.

Life of Pi: Chapter 91 - 95

Pi eventually comes upon an island that's covered in algae. Richard Parker and Pi decide to rest on the island, eating and drinking fresh water. He notices that there are dead fish in the ponds and also that his feet burn, but only at night. One day, he finds a tree with fruit in it, but in each fruit is a human tooth. Pi comes to the conclusion that the island is carnivorous. He and Richard Parker leave and continue their journey. Finally they end up on the Mexican shore and Richard Parker escapes into the jungle. Pi is rescued and tended to by villagers.

Life of Pi: Chapter 86 - 90

As quickly as Pi is given hope, it is as quickly taken away in this section. First a tanker gives him hope he is to be saved, but the tanker does not see the lifeboat and instead almost runs them over. Things seem to get worse and worse for Pi. It even gets to the point were he has delusions and thinks that Richard Parker is talking to him. Finally he meets a blind man who is actually a cannibal. His blindness could represent how Pi is blind to the man's true intention of killing Pi. The man ends up being killed by Richard Parker, possibly demonstrating loyalty to Pi.

Life of Pi: Chapter 81 - 85

In this section, the similarities between Pi and Richard Parker are highlighted again. Pi remarks how it did not really matter what he ate and he eventually began to eat just like Richard Parker. This shows how he has slowly descended down into bestiality in order to survive. A storm hits their boat, leaving the lifeboat damaged and the raft gone. One night, they see a lighting strike their boat.

Life of Pi: Chapter 76 - 80

Pi continues to exert and show dominance over Richard Parker. I thought it was pretty gross that he would hold the tiger's feces in his hand and blow the whistle to show he has control. It was even more disgusting when Pi describes how he tried to eat Richard Parker's feces. Not only is that extremely nasty but it also shows the desperation he faces out at sea. When Pi catches a shark, he throws it toward Richard Parker, but the tiger ends up cutting his paw which reminds him that he is not perfect. Pi also catches a dorado that prompts Richard Parker to attack, but after staring him down, the tiger backs off.

Life of Pi: Chapter 71 - 75

Pi creates a shield out of a turtle shell and begins training with Richard Parker. For the first four tries, Pi ends up getting knocked into the water and losing a turtle shield. By the fifth practice, however, he learns to read Richard Parker and use his whistle to successfully train him. The training sessions really show how Pi has become a lot like his father by treating Richard Parker as if they are in a zoo. With no place to go, the lifeboat has essentially become both their zoo. Pi also finds a bible, starts practicing religious rituals, and begins a diary. The rituals and the bible illustrate the healing power of religion to Pi, as it keeps him distracted and hopeful from the terrible reality of his situation.

Life of Pi: Chapter 66 - 70

Being out at sea causes many changes to Pi. By fishing often, Pi learns how to catch fish using a net and he eventually becomes a very skilled hunter. This marks a huge change from his life of being a vegetarian to being a ruthless hunter. He even remarks "I descended to a level of savagery I never imagined possible." Pi also begins eating the sea life that collects underneath his raft, as well as sea turtles. Rescue is still not close however as he often uses the signal flares, but with no response. The relationship between Pi and Richard Parker gets closer, but Pi still doesn't have a complete control over him. This prompts him to decide to train Richard Parker to let him on the lifeboat easier.

Life of Pi: Chapter 61 - 65

In this section, Pi tries to fish. His first attempt to use his leather shoe as bait does not work. Pi, however, finds a flying fish that smacks him in the face inside the locker. He and Richard Parker are then hit with a school of flying fish. While Richard Parker eats some of them, Pi decides to kill one himself. This causes a change in him, as he kills the fish, something he had never done before. The act cause him to cry and keep the fish in his prayers. His feelings of sadness however do not last as he realizes this is what he must do to survive. He later ends up catching a three-foot long dorado. Pi eventually develops daily tasks, such as finding food and maintaining the boat. He tries to read the survival manual and understand their navigation directions, but does not understand.

Life of Pi: Chapter 56 - 60

After hearing a prusten from Richard Parker, a noise expressing friendliness and harmless intentions, Pi decides he will tame him. Using a life jacket and a whistle, he imitates a circus ring leader and tries to assert his dominance over the tiger. Pi eventually goes back on the lifeboat, where he realizes Richard Parker has urinated all over the bottom of the boat, marking his territory. After drinking some water from a puddle, Pi does the same and marks his territory. I think this shows how Pi is becoming more animalistic as his journey goes on.

Life of Pi: Chapter 51 - 55

Pi finds a locker filled with supplies, such as life jackets, biscuits, and fresh water. Richard Parker ends up killing the hyena, leaving only him and Pi left on the lifeboat. In order to survive with the tiger onboard, Pi decides to make a raft out of oars and life jackets that is tied to the boat. He then comes up with six plans: Push Richard Parker off the boat, kill him with six morphine syringes, attack him with all available weaponry, choke him, poison, electrocute, or set fire to him, or wage a war of attrition. Pi's mind teeters on determination and giving up. Although plan six, the war of attrition, initially gives him hope, he soon becomes doubtful he will live.

Life of Pi: Chapter 46 - 50

A third "guest" appears on board - Richard Parker. We learn how Richard Parker was actually a hunter who found the tiger and his mother when he was still a cub. Because the cub went to get a drink at the river, the hunter names him "Thirsty." I found it kind of interesting that the word "baptized" is used when Pi says "Richard Parker...remembering how it had rushed to drink in the river, baptized it Thirsty." Perhaps the tiger will end up a sort of Jesus figure? Anyway, due to a mix up, the tiger ends up being named Richard Parker and the hunter is thought to be named "Thirsty None Given." I was disgusted when the hyena eats the zebra alive and brutally kills Orange Juice.

Life of Pi: Chapter 41 - 45

Along with Pi and the zebra, two more "guests" enter the lifeboat, a hyena and an orangutan named Orange Juice. As it begins to turn dark and become nighttime, Pi begins to worry as he is stuck on the ship with a hyena, an animal with deadly jaws that will eat almost anything. He eventually finds the hyena tearing at the zebra's leg. The concept of zoomorphism is brought up again with the orangutan and the hyena. Pi wonders if the two will get along as what kind of interaction between the two is unknown.

Life of Pi: Chapter 36 - 40

This marks the end of Part I and the beginning of Part II. Yay! The author meets Pi's children, Nikhil and Usha and comments that Pi's story "has a happy ending." Part II returns to Pi's point of view. In this section we finally learn that Richard Parker is actually a Bengal tiger who ends up on his lifeboat. The Tsimtsum, the ship Pi and his family ride on, ends up sinking during a storm. To make matters worse, the animals on the ship escape. When Pi is pushed onto the life boat, a zebra ends up falling into the boat as well, breaking its leg. This section really highlights the beginning of Pi's struggles.

Life of Pi: Chapter 31 - 35

Mr. Kumar, the biology teacher, and Mr. Kumar, the Muslim baker, eventually meet each other at the zoo that Pi's father owns. While both men are very different, with one being an atheist and another a Muslim, they both marvel at the animals at the zoo such as the zebra. Pi also describes zoomorphism - "where an animal takes a human being, or another animal, to be one of its kind." An example would be how dogs would sometimes be used as foster mothers for lion cubs. This concept brings up again the theme of fact versus fiction. Fiction allows one to forget the harsh lonliness of reality and "guarantees social well-being."

Life of Pi: Chapter 26 - 30

Another short section. Here we learn about how Pi's family deals with his triad of religions and how they eventually move to Canada. Despite their hesitations, Pi eventually gets a prayer rug (for his Muslim faith) and a baptism (for Christianity). Due to the political climate in India, Pi's father decides that the family should move to Canada. Pi describes the reason for people to move is that they feel that nothing will change where they live and that the only way to give their children a better life is to find somewhere else where they would be happier and more successful. I find this true as my own parents moved from the Philippines to America so that my sisters and I would have a better life.

Life of Pi: Chapter 21 - 25

Although Pi enjoys practicing three religions, we learn what happens when the three religions collide. When Pi and his parents see "the three wise men," I thought "Oh gosh, this isn't going to end well." The men argue about their religions and tell Pi that he must choose only one. Pi, however, simply just wants to love God and accept all the religions. I couldn't help but laugh at Ravi's comment - "At the rate you're going, if you go to temple on Thursday, mosque on Friday, synagogue on Saturday, and church on Sunday, you only need to convert to three more religions to be on holiday for the rest of your life." Anyway, I found it interesting how he described agnostic thinking as "dry, yeastless factuality." I think it really describes a lack of imagination and dedication to fact that they have, and how they "miss the better story."

Life of Pi: Chapter 16 - 20

In these chapters, the three religions that Pi follows are brought up. Pi was born a Hindu, but later decides to become a Christian after meeting Father Martin and then a Muslim after meeting Mr. Satish Kumar. I love how he compares the three religions when he says "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." People often focus so much on the differences between their religion that they forget how similar they can be and that whats important is they believe in something that gives their life a new meaning. I like that Pi is able to appreciate the different values and rites each religion offers.

Life of Pi: Chapter 11 - 15

This short section goes further into the behavior of animals, as well as jumps back to present time and details the author's thoughts. Pi describes the importance of territory to an animal. He reasons that a lion will not kill you and rip you to shreds because he is hungry. He will kill you because you are invading his territory. He also goes into dominance. A circus trainer enters the ring first to establish that it is his territory. Animals that have low social ranking will often have the most to gain by getting close to the owner as it provides protection from others. The author remarks on the various religious items in Pi's house, such as the Bible, paintings of various Hindu gods, and a photo of the Kaaba.

Life of Pi: Chapter 6 - 10

These chapters describe Pi's biology teacher, Mr. Kumar, his experience with a tiger, and the nature of animals. Pi feels close to Mr. Kumar, despite the fact that he is an atheist. I like how he described atheists as being "brothers and sisters of a different faith" and that he is able to feel kinship to Mr. Kumar despite their differences. Later Pi talks about how he witnessed a tiger kill a goat, and how his father warns him about the danger of animals. The novel injects bits of zoology into the chapters, such as flight distance, "the minimum distance at which an animal wants to keep a perceived enemy" and how animals don't want to "escape to somewhere but from something." Judging from the cover and the back cover, the experience with the tiger and the information about animal behavior will be important later on.

Life of Pi: Chapter 1 - 5

Wow time to blog again. Oh joy! The novel I have decided on is "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel. I found it really interesting that it began with an author's note, where the author gives us background on his life and how he meets up with Pi Patel, although he is a fictional character. I think mixing his real life and his fictional story adds a nice twist to the novel. The story centers on Piscine Patel, an Indian man who reflects on his life when he was younger. Named after a french pool, he eventually tells everyone to call him "Pi" for short as his old peers used to make fun of him, calling him "Pissing." I still don't know a few things about the novel, such as why he had to go to a hospital in Mexico and who Richard Parker is. A college perhaps? Possible symbols that can come up are the symbol of water and of animals, two things important to his childhood.

Alright worked on my essay for an hour, from about 11:30 to 12:30.

Final Thoughts

My last post! Yay! Although there was a lot to read, I actually enjoyed the books. My favorite book would have to be "The Kite Runner." I really liked that it was a story of redemption and how descriptive and well written it was. With "What is the What" I was able to learn about the struggles of the Sudanese and how Valentino was able to courageously carry on, despite the many hardships he faced. "1984" allowed me to visualize a corrupt society where all freedom, individuality, and human rights are gone. After reading "How to Read Literature Like a Professor," it was a bit easier to understand the books I read. While I think I might need a little more practice to spot symbols and hidden meanings in literature, I think I read and analyze much better. I really hope I'm able to learn much more in AP English this year.

How to Read Literature Like a Professor

Ok so I read this a LONG time ago but I never got the chance to blog about it. Anyway, I expected the book to be extremely boring, but it actually was interesting to read. First off, I really liked the titles of each chapter (such as "Nice to Eat You: Acts of Vampires" and "It's All About Sex...Except Sex.") The book really helped me understand symbols and allusions in stories. I mean I wouldn't have thought a landscape or a bowl could symbolize something sexual. Or how rain is more than just rain. While the book was pretty easy to follow and understand, I found it much harder when actually applying it.

1984: Book III, Chapter IV - VI

In the very last section, the physical and mental torture erodes Winston's rebelliousness against the Party and soon falls at their mercy. Winston betrays Julia when threatened by a cage of rats and the two end their love and relationship. In the end, Winston accepts the Party and loves Big Brother. The power that the Party holds proves too much and any sort of humanity has now been crushed.

1984: Book III, Chapter I - III

Just as Winston had dreamed, he meets O'Brien in a place where there is no darkness. Instead of being a place of peace or representing a brighter future, he finds himself in a cell where the lights are never turned off. He is held with other prisoners, where they are subject to starvation and beatings and are constantly watched. I couldn't help but laugh at the part where Parsons has to use the lavatory pan and stinks up the cell for hours. Winston is eventually tortured by O'Brien and taken to Room 101. We learn the objective of the Party is power. The way they control everyone is by manipulating the minds of others and twisting the truth.

1984: Book II, Chapter VI - X

To be honest it was kind of difficult to get through Chapter IX, when Winston is reading Goldstein's novel. It basically describes how the Party is able to manipulate its members and how it functions. I was really shocked to find that Mr. Charrington was actually a member of the Thought Police. After Winston and Julia's meeting with O'Brien, I thought that the three of them would work together to bring down Big Brother. The untruthfulness and control of the Party is really clear during this section, such as when the speaker changes the identity of their enemies from Eurasia to East Asia mid-speech.

1984: Book II, Chapter I - V

I was surprised to find out that Julia's note said "I love you." From Winston's description of her I thought she would be a member of the Thought Police. Eventually, Winston and Julia have sex in a secret wood area. This symbolized a "political act" against the Party. While Winston and Julia share a hate of the Party, Julia seems more concerned with getting by and rebelling in secret than actually trying to change or understand the Party. On the subject of Julia, we learn that she is able to get special items like sugar, coffee, and bread, as well as makeup. I think the scarcity of things like makeup show how freedom and individuality are extremely limited and that women can't even exhibit femininity. In chapter IV, we also learn that for some reason Winston is terribly afraid of rats.

1984: Book I, Chapter V - VIII

In this section, we learn even more about the corruption of the Party. Winston works in the Records Department of the Ministry of Truth, where he changes documents to make it look as though Big Brother is always right. For example, Winston invents Comrade Ogilvy in place of Comrade Withers, who has now become an unperson. The Party even lies about increasing chocolate rations when in fact, they had lowered it a day before. Under the Party, sex has become merely a way to create new Party members and all pleasure once involved with it is now gone. In order to find pleasure, Winston has sex with a prole prostitute. The proles, who live in poor conditions but have more freedom than Outer Party members, are who Winston believes can take down Big Brother as they are connected to the past.

1984: Book I, Chapter I - IV

The first few chapters detail the society that Winston lives in. It seems that people's lives are controlled by Big Brother and the Party. Their contradicting slogan is "War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, and Ignorance is Strength." Everyone is being watched and if you look suspicious, you can be turned in to the Thought Police. This really highlights how dangerous it is for Winston to be writing down his thoughts and secretly opposing Big Brother. Everyone else seems to brainwashed and corrupt. They have Two Minutes Hate, which is basically a rally to project their hate on their enemies, such as Emmanuel Goldstein. It's even scarier how people are watched in their homes and even children will turn in their relatives.

What is the What: Chapter XXIII - XXVI

I have finally reached the end of the book. Just as with Kite Runner, I think the ending was bittersweet yet hopeful at the same time. When Valentino is able to speak to his father, his father tells him to get the What. I think what he meant by this is that he should go into the unknown of America so that he could find a better life there. While reading the novel, it felt as though every time something good happened, something unfortunate would happen next. For example, I really did not expect Noriyaki's death. But despite all the struggles and sufferings Valentino has endured, he still finds a way to go on and try to pursue his goals.

What is the What: Chapter VIX - XXII

What's kind of cool about this book is that there would be events talked about briefly at the beginning of the story and later would be revisited, such as the woman who shot Valentino's friends when they were on their way to Pochalla. I like how when you revisit it, you then understand its significance in the story. Anyway, Valentino goes temporarily blind as he walks to Kakuma. I think this could be foreshadowing to Tabitha's death, as both Tabitha and Valentino were blind to Duluma's serious rage and mental state. Also, Valentino wears a mask and thinks of it as a "new face, without marks, blemishes, a face that told no tales." Abraham, however, takes the mask from him and says it doesn't fit him. I think this shows how Valentino can't hide from who he is or forget what he has seen.

What is the What: Chapter XV - XVIII

I feel terrible for Valentino as trouble always seems to find him. Not only are the police not much help, but even at the hospital he has to wait hours just to treat his wounds from the robbery. In this section, Father Matong tells Valentino that he "will have the power to make people see." This could be referring to how Valentino later tells many people his story. It could also refer to how the novel itself allows people to see the struggles that Valentino and other Sudanese have faced. I liked the lighter, funnier tone in some parts of this section, such as Lino's comical blue zoot suit and Valentino's awkward meeting with the Royal Girls.

What is the What: Chapter X - XIV

A LOT happened during this section. The novel switches from Valentino's childhood to his life in America to the robbery. As the lost boys walk toward Ethiopia, their numbers dwindle. Although others join them, many die as they walk on. Some of them cannot go on and they give up, such as Monynhial, who just finds a hole and dies in it. A quote that stuck out was when William K and other boys would lay their head on a tree and "the life in him would fall away and his flesh would return to the earth." It's also interesting to note the symbol of rain. Rain can represent cleansing and restoration, such as when William K says he will go back home to family when the rain comes or when the rain does come and the boys are able to drink from the raindrops. It also can represent misery, such as when it rains heavily and the boys need to find dry land.

What is the What: Chapter VI - IX

In this section we find out how the war and violence eventually spread to Marial Bai. Valentino loses his childhood innocence and is forced to become an adult when the chaos arrives at his village. There is a scene where Valentino plays with hammers, pretending they're giraffes. This shows his innocence and how he is forced to grow up after the war begins. This is best summarized by the quote "It is the end of childhood, when your mother's face slacken, her eyes dead." Valentino now must fend for himself and fight for his survival.

What is the What: Chapter I - V

After reading "The Kite Runner," it was interesting to read a different story about life in another country and immigrating to America. (The author of "The Kite Runner," Khaled Hosseini, even praises "What is the What" on the back cover.) There were some similarities between the two books. Both of the main characters flee from their home country to America to escape war and violence. While Amir in "The Kite Runner" was able to build a life and live successfully in America, Valentino struggles in the U.S. It could possibly be the communities they live in. The Pakistani community in California was rather tight-knit, while the Sudanese community in Atlanta seems more fractured and divided. It was terrible to read about how Valentino would witness the gruesome deaths of others. I mean, it sounds so terrifying to have two boys in your group just suddenly taken by a lion, right there in front of you. Its sad that instead of finding peace in America, Valentino continues to face much more hardships.

Kite Runner: Chapter 22 - 25

During this last section of the book we reach the climax, when Amir fights against Assef. He finally is able to let go of his guilt and find redemption. Even though he gets badly injured, Amir shows he has changed by not running away and facing Assef. It's interesting to note that Amir's beating mirrored Assef's story, and how both felt a relief as they were being hit. Although the novel didn't have your typical fairytale ending, I found it to be realistic yet very hopeful. When Amir takes Sohrab to America, Sohrab stops talking and interacting with people. A glimmer of hope is seen in the last chapter, when Amir runs the kite for Sohrab. He sees him smile for just a little bit, which signifies that Sohrab will be able to heal and recover from his traumatic experience. The story really goes full circle at the end. Amir runs the kite and says "For you, a thousand times over" to Sohrab, just as how Hassan did for Amir many years ago. This marks the end of Amir's guilt and possibly the beginning of a new life for Sohrab.

The Kite Runner: Chapter 18 - 21

I thought it was interesting how Farid comments on Amir's life. Although he lived in Afghanistan, Amir always had a privileged life. Farid calls the ragged old man they see "the real Afghanistan." This chapter really highlights the destruction and corruption caused by the Taliban, as well as the Russians previously. I really liked the part where Amir gives Wahid's family his watch and leaves them some money. It shows the change in him, and how he has grown from his selfishness and is atoning for his actions.

Kite Runner: Chapter 14 - 17

It was really sad to find out that both Hassan and his wife were murdered. I was really hoping that Amir could find Hassan again and that they could make amends and be friends again. Although Hassan is dead, Amir still has a chance to redeem himself. If he goes to get Sohrab, he can finally let go of his guilt and it will prove he can stand up for himself and be strong, just as his Baba wanted him to be. This is not just important for Amir, but for Hassan, Rahim Khan, and Sohrab.

The Kite Runner: Chapter 10 - 13

In this section, many changes occur. Amir and Baba travel with other Afghans to Pakistan because at this time Russia has control of Afghanistan. Later, Amir and Baba move to California. The move to America is different for Amir and Baba. In Afghanistan, Baba was rich and well- respected. In the U.S., he works in a gas station and has trouble adjusting to life in America. Meanwhile, to Amir, America represents a place to start a new life and forget his past and what happened with Hassan. In these chapters, Amir and Baba become much closer. As Amir gets older, he matures from a selfish boy dependent on his father to an independent and happily married man. Baba is able to feel proud of his son before he dies. While Amir's life is going well, with his marriage and his writing, he still can't forget about Hassan. He still thinks about him, such as when he gets his first novel published.

The Kite Runner: Chapter 6 - 9

Amir's actions in these chapters made me mad. Although he had the chance to feel triumphant and gain Baba's love and respect, Amir's selfishness hinders his success. While Hassan is being raped, Amir stands by and does nothing. He thinks only of himself and how he can please his father. Also when Amir sees the look on Hassan's face as he is being raped, he remembers seeing it on the lamb during Eid Al-Adhsa. The lamb represents Hassan's innocence and the mullah who kills the lamb represents how Amir sacrificed Hassan to get the kite. Amir shows further selfishness when he tries to frame Hassan for stealing his watch and money. Although Amir's loyalty is weak, Hassan is faithful and shows him genuine love, even when Amir treats him terribly.

The Kite Runner Chapter 1 - 5

My first post! Hooray! So for the first few chapters of The Kite Runner we meet our main characters. Amir is the narrator and reflects on his childhood as an adult living in the United States. The relationship between he and his dad, Baba, is not very close. While Amir looks up to and strongly admires Baba, he feels that he can't live up to the expectations of his father, as he is terrible at sports and prefers reading and writing. In addition, he feels guilt over his mother's death, who died giving birth. As for his servant Hassan, the two of them are like brothers despite their differences. While Amir is a rich Pashtun, Hassan is a poor Hazara. Unfortunately Amir can be very jealous and selfish. He often has to feel superior to Hassan and gets jealous anytime Baba compliments Hassan. The ending of chapter five unfortunately foreshadows that something bad will happen to Hassan :(