Life of Pi Great Works

Life of Pi by Yann Martel was published in 2002 and has since won the Man Booker prize for writing. This seemingly new novel has made the great works list for science because of its intense use of scientific themes, as well as because of Martel’s scientific style of writing. Martel continually questions the role of religion in such a scientific world. Martel’s immense discussion of religion, amongst his use of such a scientific story, brings to pass many themes that relate and distinguish the differences and similarities between science and religion.

Within Life of Pi there many themes stand out concerning science and religion: the most being credibility of logical science versus faith and religion. Pi lives most of his life in the faith of many religions. Pi’s odd open-mindedness allows him to pick out pieces of truth from all religions, while not being entirely apart of any faith. Pi, however, was also raised in a very scientific way; forced to learn many scientific facts about animals resulting from his dad being a zookeeper from India. When Pi becomes stranded on the life boat, it becomes evident the need for both faith in religion, and a use of practical science. Pi begins by immediately falling into despair and depression. Feeling a sense of hopelessness, Pi faces the reality that his family is dead. Instead of being consumed in his feelings, Pi demonstrates an immense faith in his knowledge of religion, enabling his to power through these feelings. Pi soon realizes, however, that pure faith alone is not going to get him out of this situation; Pi must struggle himself to fix his own problems. Pi immediately begins making observations, recording ideas and sightings in a journal, and using them to make predictions about the best way to survive on a life boat. Pi uses this scientific method when he trains Richard Parker, finds ways to stay hydrated and get food and to just stay alive. Pi, however, also knows that science alone will not get him through his struggle: he must continue to use faith. By using faith and prayer to keep him sane, and logical science to fix seemingly impossible problems, Pi is able to overcome many challenges on the life boat, that otherwise would have led to death.