Life of Pi

How does Pi conceive of freedom? And how is it different from other conceptions of freedom?

Consider the multiple versions of Pi’s story. Why would he give more than one account?

Pi’s ship is called the Tsimtsum, which is derived from Isaac Luria’s theory of cosmogony (tzimtzum). Pi’s undergraduate thesis was on this very topic. Why is this significant?

Discuss examples of blurred boundaries. How are these boundaries created, reinforced, or blurred? Which ones are real? Which ones are imagined?

Discuss the motif of ritual. How is ritual presented in Life of Pi? How does it relate to the broader themes? What is Pi’s relationship to ritual?

How does Pi use religion to understand the natural world? What is the relationship between religion and science in Pi’s philosophy?

Discuss the relationship between animals and humans in Life of Pi. Why does Pi use zoo animals as a metaphor? What does it say about human nature?

So much of Life of Pi is about failed communication. Discuss the human need for communication. Is communication ever objective? Give examples from the novel.