Seafaring Lit — Life of Pi Lesson 2
This lesson will focus on the behavior of animals and how it relates to the behavior
of humans.
Lesson Plan
1) Group Activity: Come up with a list of universal animal behaviors that you have
gleaned from the movie—both “good” and “bad” (and/or neutral or amoral) behaviors—
and why all four animals act that way. Remember that Martel uses animals as metaphors
for human behavior, while he does blur the line based on Pi’s extreme circumstances.
2) Class discussion sharing these lists.
3) Board Activity (with groups): each group is assigned one animal. Come up with a list
of traits individual to that animal—both “good” and “bad” (and/or neutral) behaviors—
and why Martell makes those forms of behavior specific to that animal.
4) Quick presentation of these lists.
5) Solo Activity: Each member of the class picks one animal you feel most resembles
your behavior, and why. Then share the results with your group.
6) Full Class Activity: Using the list of animal behaviors, come up with similar behaviors
for humans under similar circumstances. For instance: animals in a zoo reproduce often
because they are well-socialized and stress free. What do humans do when they are wellsocialized and stress free? In survival mode? When interacting with other “species”? Etc.
7) Class Discussion: Why does this story devote so much attention devoted to animals?
What does viewing animals in these types of contexts tell us about human behavior? Is
there a connection to Pi’s religious mindset(s)? How do animals connect (a) to “God”
and (b) to the sea?