After spending the past two classes defending our theses, I started thinking more about faith in Pi's life. It seems more like he's just in love with the idea of religion rather than the purpose of religion. When defending his animal story he says something along the lines of "it's the more interesting one", which comes off to me as ridiculously naive because, even though we'd rather hear a better story, it being a fabrication doesn't make it more useful. Moreover, when talking about his religions, Pi never mentions anything in particular about why he follows them, other than that they make him feel good or feel safe. It never really seems like Pi is that connected to any of the central messages in his religions (though they do share love and devotion as a common motif), especially seeing as they often contradict each other. His favourite parts of religion often seem to be how the stories are interesting. Furthermore, Pi abandons some of his major beliefs when stranded in his lifeboat, such as being a vegetarian. If he's really as "devoted" as he claims to be, wouldn't he rather put his beliefs before his life? While Martel makes a good point about faith and the proof (or lack thereof) behind it, I can't help but be annoyed with Pi's naivety.
In your opinion, do you think Pi is truly devoted? Do you think that it's healthy to believe in something just because it offers a sense of security?
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3 comments:
I'm pretty sure Pi is devoted, but as you point out it would be very hard to be devoted to things which contradict each other. As for this I'm not to sure of his devotion, but I definetally think its healthy to believe in something because of its sense of security. It can be hard on someone when they don't have something to act like a haven in their life. When you need to think or something along those lines. It may be something big like a religion, or something small like a diary or book. To have you relief or relaxation in life is definitely healthy.
This is a really good point and question by steph. Going back to the ability to be "devoted" to more then one religion, I don't think that Pi can honestly say that he is devoted to all of the religions that he claims to be. There are just to many contradictions. I think that Pi is more intrigued by the idea and the stories behind the three religions, rather then the religions and beliefs themselves. Pointing out his naivety is a really good idea, I personally didn't notice that.
I think Pi likes the idea of each religion and how each separate religion has a story that separates them fome eachother. I think Pi wants to worship them because he is intrigued and it gives him a sense of faith in something that he considers to have a great meaning.
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