Life of Pi, by Yann Martel – Study Questions
Use complete sentences to answer the following questions. The question numbers
correspond with the chapters.


Author’s Note
Describe the effect the Author’s Note has on the structure of the narrative.
“I have a story that will make you believe in God.” Why is this such an effective
introduction to the tale?
Part One
1. Explain how Martel introduces several major themes in this chapter. How
does he use the sloth passage to combine several themes?
2. How do the italicized chapters help breathe life into Pi?
3. Explain the origin of Picine’s name and explore its possible symbolic
significance.
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of Martel’s description of the zoo and his
attempt to debunk what he feels are myths relating to the evils of zoos.
5. Critique the entertainment value of this chapter. Explain the possible
symbolic significance of π.
7. Explain the significance of the final paragraph of this chapter.
8. Explain the reference to the dangers of animalus anthromorphicus.
10. Evaluate the effectiveness of Pi’s reflections on enclosures and escape.
11. What is the effect of the final sentence of this chapter?
15. Critique Martel’s introduction to Pi’s unique religious convictions.
16. Try to summarize Pi’s description of Hinduism “in a holy nutshell”.
17. – 20. How do these chapters show the parallels between Christianity and
Islam?
21. What is the function of this chapter?
22. – 28. Explain the possible allegorical significance of the conflict presented
here.
29. Research and give a very brief description of The Emergency in India in
the 1970’s.
31. Explain the possible significance of the two Kumars meeting.
32. Critique his presentation of the concept of zoomorphism.
33. – 35. What biblical allusion seems to be intended here?
36. What is the purpose of the final sentence of this chapter? Why bother
reading further?
Part Two
37. – 41. Explain the effect created by how Martel jumps between time
periods in the narrative.
42. – 45. Try to make sense of the possible allegorical significance of the
lifeboat’s occupants.
46. – 48. Evaluate the effectiveness of Pi’s reasoning regarding why his
second night is far more miserable than his first. What is the
purpose of all the gore?
49.
50. – 52.
53.
54. – 55.
56.
57. – 59.
60.
61. – 66.
67. – 72.
73. – 74.
75. – 77.
78.
79. – 89.
90. – 92.
Part Three
Evaluate Martel’s attempt to reset the narrative to the new time
period.
99. – 100. Evaluate the effectiveness of Pi’s attempt to prove his story is not
impossible.
Explain the following statements:
“But be excessively reasonable and you risk throwing the universe out with the
bathwater.”
“Isn’t just looking upon this world already something of an invention?”
“Thank you. And so it goes with God.”
95. – 98.



Critique Martel’s attempt to relieve the tone of the narrative.
What is the purpose of Pi’s meticulous attention to detail? Evaluate
the effectiveness of the passages describing Pi’s first drink and first
bite of food.
How does Pi’s renewed strength actually add to his misery?
Briefly review and summarize Pi’s plans 1 – 6, and explain their
weaknesses.
Evaluate the effectiveness of Pi’s reflections regarding fear in the
final paragraph of this chapter.
Explain the irony pertaining to the positive aspects of being
marooned with a 450lb tiger, as opposed to being marooned alone.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the passage where Pi struggles to put
his suffering into perspective.
Does Martel successfully depict Pi’s reluctant yet inevitable
conversion to a carnivorous diet?
Critique Martel’s depiction of the training process.
Explain Pi’s yearning for a book of faith and his psychological
need to remind himself of his place in God’s creation.
Explain whether or not the tiger poop episode is necessary.
Evaluate the effectiveness of his description of the various skies
and seas.
How well does this section of the narrative communicate the extent
of Pi’s suffering?
Return to this section after you finish the novel, and explain how it
fits into either this story or the alternative story offered later.