Life of Pi – Study Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

1. In this chapter, the narrator has a series of memories. What are the 5 distinct memories that the narrator has?

2. What is a “memento mori”? What does the narrator the memento mori to?

3. The narrator states that, “My suffering left me sad and gloomy.” (Martel 3). In this chapter, does he seem sad and gloomy? Use 2 examples to support your case.

Chapters 2 and 3

1. Who is Mamaji? What does Mamaji mean?

2. What was the focus of Mamaji’s stories about Paris? Why might these stories be so appealing in comparison to the stories about the regular landmarks?

3. What is the narrator’s full name?

Chapter 4 1. What did Pi’s father do before he owned the zoo? What analogy does Pi use to show the difference between his father’s two occupations.

2. How would you describe Pi’s memories of the zoo? How reliable do you think they are?

3. What is the difference in the way territory is treated between the zoo and the wild? Do you accept this rationalization?

Chapter 5 1. Find two examples of suspense and explain how they are created.

2. What does the Piscine’s new name bring him? Do things actually change for him? Chapter 7 to 14 Chapters 7 to 14 present various scenarios dealing with the tame and dangerous aspects of animals. These scenarios all deal with security. Create a chart and use three examples from the text, show how and why security needs to be achieved.

Chapter 15 to 23 1. List the various religious items that are found in Pi’s home. Why might Pi have so many different religious artifacts in his home?

2. According to Pi, why is he a Hindu?

3. What makes up a religion according to Pi?

4. How is Hinduism like Christianity? How does it differ?

5. How does Christ break Pi’s conceptions of a God? Why does that inspire Pi to become a Christian?

6. What did the two Satish Kumars inspire Pi to do?

7. How would an atheist view his or her final moments?

8. What problem does Pi encounter in practicing three religions? How does he find his way out of this problem?

9. What is the effect when Pi’s father says, “Ice cream anyone?” (Martel 77).

Chapter 24 to 28

1. In chapter 25, what do most people have a compulsion to defend? What is the problem with this?

2. Explain the statement, “ religion is about our dignity, not our depravity” (Martel 79).

3. According to Pi’s father and mother, why can Pi not be of multiple faiths? What is Pi’s response?

4. What is the order in which Pi lists his family’s reaction to his baptism? Why is it in that order? Chapter 29 to 36

1. According to Pi, why do people move? Where else has he used this same rationale?

2. What is the difference between the way the two Kumars treat the zebras? What does it say about each Kumar?

3. What is zoomorphism? What is Pi’s explanation for zoomorphism?

4. What literary technique is used to begin Chapter 36?

5. Who are the other members of Pi’s family that we meet in Chapter 36?