Life of Pi

Analyze Pi’s philosophical and religious beliefs over the course of the novel. How has Pi’s perspective on religion and his personal philosophy changed after his journey on the lifeboat? What personal boundaries or religious attitudes are called into question? How does Pi maintain his faith despite his hardship?

Teaching Suggestion: For this prompt, which connects to the theme of Religious Belief and Practice, students may find it beneficial to analyze the novel in three main segments: the beliefs that Pi develops while his father works at the Pondicherry Zoo, the challenges his beliefs endure while he is stranded, and his revised worldview after his journey. Students might also address and discuss the challenge of the nonlinear fashion of the novel where many of Pi’s beliefs are presented in his conversation with the writer prior to explaining the changes he experiences to arrive at those conclusions.