“He Seems to be Attracting Religions the Way a Dog Attracts Fleas”

In this section of the novel, Pi explores different religions. Pi describes his earliest memories as a baby being connected to Hinduism. He goes into to detail about the Hindu philosophy of life and how he embraces it. “That which sustains the universe beyond thought and language, and that which is at the core of us and struggles for expression, is the same thing.”


One day on vacation, fourteen year old Pi begins his long journey of Theology. Pi discovers a church during this vacation and goes in out of curiosity. He meets Father Martin and he explains to Pi the beliefs of Christianity. During this conversation, Martel describes an exchange between Pi and Father Martel. “He patted me on the head. It was more of a thump, actually. His hand went BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM on my head." This is an example of onomatopoeia. (A use of words whose sound defines its meaning.) Pi develops a relationship with Father Martin and decides to become a Christian.

At the age of fifteen, Pi describes his experiences with a Muslim baker and mystic, Mr. Kumar. Pi and Mr. Kumar began talking but Mr. Kumar interprets their conversation to pray. Pi is fascinated with Mr. Kumar’s ritual of praying. Pi returns the next day to ask Mr. Kumar about his religion. Pi then begins to attend mosque regularly.

Pi’s parents become very confused when discovering that he is practicing all three religions. This behavior causes rising conflict among Pi, his parents, and the three religious figures. (The primary source of tension within a story.) His mother has some hesitation about discussing religion with Pi after he asks to be baptized and request a pray rug. But, Pi explains to his mother that his only purpose is to love God. Pi’s early practicing of multiple religions is foreshadowing of him becoming involved with religious studies. (The author giving hints of what will come later in the story.) I love the way the author shows the different religions through the eyes of a young boy. He helps the reader develop empathy for other religions that he/she may have never encountered before. (The act of placing yourself “in the shoes” of another and forcing yourself to imagine how that person must feel.) I feel that Life of Pi is a great tool to help students understand and see multi-cultural characters that may have not been exposed to before, in engaging and entertaining way.