Blog #2

I am reading the book "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel. I have read and will be referring to pages 1-50. The main character in this novel is a college-aged boy named Piscine Moliter, called Pi. He is a double major in religious studies and zoology. I always think the mix of science and religion is strange because I see them as somewhat opposites. Science is explaining life with solid evidence. Religion, however, explains the unknown by telling people to trust and have faith in a theory, rather than with scientific evidence. Scientists like to have clear proof which is often lacking in religions, but Pi still likes to study religion. Pi’s conviction in both science and religion is unique since they are often contradictory. Other aspects of Pi’s life are unusual and interesting too. He was born to a zookeeper and grew up around animals. This explains his constant comparison of humans to animals. For example, he says, “Repetition is important in the training not only of animals but also of humans” (29). People like to think they are superior to animals, but Pi makes it evident he thinks they are equal. He thinks people need to be treated and trained like animals. Also, Pi says, speaking of the zoo keeping business, that, “We commonly say in the trade that the most dangerous animal in the zoo is Man” (36). In the quote, Pi is referring to the fact that humans injure animals often by throwing foreign objects like bottles or food into the cages. These actions make them dangerous. This causes me to think. If men are more advanced animals, but they choose to act destructively, does that make them equal with animals? Pi certainly seems to think men and animals are very alike and equal. I’m not sure if I agree with this, but it is an interesting idea to think about.