Pi as a Metaphor for India

The Life of Pi is framed against the period of Indian history that was known as the Emergency.  Indira Gandhi, called Mrs. Gandhi in the book, declared a state of emergency when she was called to resign, suspending the constitution and justifying it by calling it a response to rising protects against the government. Lasting for 18 months, the Emergency left a confused legacy: while liberty was severely limited and political opponents to Mrs. Gandhi  were jailed, the economy flourished. It is under these circumstances that Pi’s father grows nervous. According to Pi, “to prosper, a zoo needs parliamentary government, democratic elections, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of association, rule of law and everything else enshrined in India’s constitution.” The Emergency had none of these, and for this reason Pi’s father decides to leave India, putting in motion the main events of the book.

Pi is an interesting amalgamation of religion and culture. He is a practicing member of Hindu, Islam, and Christianity, was born in formerly-French Pondicherry, ends up on the coast of Mexico and spends the rest of his life in Canada. Pi seems to be a metaphor for India itself, with its diversity of religions and culture. He offers an interesting viewpoint on Indian spirituality. The three religions do live in close quarters inside the borders of that country, and Pi seems to be saying, “Look! Harmony can be achieved. We all believe in God, we are more similar than you think.”