Life of Pi by Yann Martel Free Essay

Humans often think that they need only one constant religious relationship in their life. There are certain doctrines within organized religion which require absolute acceptance of only the beliefs of that particular religion. This devotion demands that no other belief sets can be accepted or identified with. 

In Yann Martel’s story, Life of Pi, he denies the thought that spirituality can only be reached through one path, and suggests that god can be reached in more ways than through one religion, and one path of holy enlightenment. Because Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam all subscribe to a code of good moral conduct, they are essentially the same, and can all be followed simultaneously.

In Exodus 20 of The Holy Bible, The Ten commandments are explained. The Ten Commandments are ten rules that were delivered directly from God, after he freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. These commandments are ten rules of moral that were, and are required to be followed by Moses’ people and Christians around the world. 

In, Life of Pi, The color green through the carnivorous Island could represent the Garden of Eden in Christianity. When Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, they ate fruit from the forbidden tree, which god classified as a sin. In Life of Pi, Pi, depends on the only tree on the island that has fruit, though when he opens the fruit, he finds teeth. Christianity is represented in many ways in Life of Pi, and is a huge dependent source for Pi whilst also being an element between survival and death. 

The code of conduct and the importance of good moral is spread through the Bhagavad-Gita. In chapter 9, Krishna speaks of how devotion and forgiveness are the ultimate keys to life. In this chapter, Krishna says that if a devotee commits a horrendous act, he will be rectified as a devotee of Krishna never perishes. 

In Life of Pi, Pi uses the color orange to represent Hinduism. In Hinduism, orange is the color of the second Hindu Chakra, which is associated with a person 8 to 14 years old. In the story, Pi also associates orange as being, “a Good Hindu Color”. Orange is associated with the color of survival. All of the elements that Pi uses to survive were orange- the whistle, the life jackets, the tarpaulinand Richard Parker. Hinduism is one of the main elements in the story that keeps Pi’s survival possible. 

The code of conduct for the Koran is spread throughout the book, and more or less is the book. The Chapter of Thunder gives a basic overview of the main values of Islam: devotion to god, and helping of others. In The Chapter of Thunder, the importance of devotion, and full belief is made a priority upon. 

In life of Pi, Pi uses the color of Green to represent Islam, as well as Christianity. The Koran says that the Residents of Heaven will wear green silk robes. Muhammad is also said to have worn green and often held a green banner. In the story, the reference to the Lote tree is also an Islam reference. Lote trees are commonly used as boundary markers and are used as a reference of when Muhammad’s crosses the border from the mortal world into heaven. The island in Life of Pi is used as a reference to the Garden of Eden, to which Pi has ascended into. Islam is an element between Pi’s destruction in the story and his survival.

Through all of these religions devotion and synchronization with God is the ultimate Goal. In Christianity, Jesus preaches that the two ultimate commandments are to devote yourself to God, and to treat others as you would treat yourself. In Mat 22:37 Jesus says,” unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” In Mat 22:38, It is states that, “This is the first and great commandment.” Whilst in Mat 22:39, Jesus says, “And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”. In Hinduism, Krishna speaks of how loyalty and forgiveness are the keys to life. In chapter 7 of the Bhagavad-Gita, Krishna says, “Striveth for Truth; and of those few that strive— Nay, and rise high—one only—here and there Knoweth Me, as I am, the very Truth.”. In Islam, Allah speaks of how devotion to God, and the helping of others is the ultimate way on the path of righteousness. In The Chapter of Thunder, Allah says, “‘Those who believe and whose hearts are comforted by the mention of God,—aye! by the mention of God shall their hearts be comforted, who believe and do what is right. Good cheer for them and an excellent resort.’”. Through all of these religions, the main purpose in life is to love, and devote yourself to god.

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