“the reason death sticks so closely to life isn’t biological necessity—it’s envy.

Life is so
beautiful that death has fallen in love with it, a jealous possessive love that grabs at what
it can…”
Beginning of page 6: said in the thoughts of the Pi

This quote makes an impact on me because he at his present age has this comprehension
of life and death. Its all simply interesting to use this sort of metaphor. He makes it sound
as if death is unavoidable, and it does seem unavoidable, but only if you love life more.

“In zoos we do for animals what we have done for ourselves with houses: we bring
together in a small space what in the wild is spread out.”
Second paragraph of page 17: thoughts of Pi

In our everyday lives we think our own lives are completely different from the lives of
animals in the wild, when in reality it really isn’t. According to Pi, our houses and society
simply brings all the necessities we need from all around into a small space so we won’t
have to travel and move around so much. Water, food, entertainment and so forth and so
on can all be provided in our homes.

“and so, in that Greek letter that looks like a shack with a corrugated tin roof, in that
elusive, irrational number with which scientists try to understand the universe, I found
refuge.”
Last paragraph of chapter 5, page 24: thoughts of Pi

In saying this, Pi proves that anything, no matter how big or small can make an impact on
our lives. He proves that we can find refuge from anyone or anything, despite the
vulgarity of the impact, despite the impact it had on our bodies, minds or souls, refuge is
waiting for us somewhere. It reminds me of my refuge in music and photography, and
how the peace brings me to an entirely new world.

“to choose doubt as a philosophy of life is akin to choosing immobility as a means of

transporation…”
Last sentence of page 28: thoughts of Pi

Doubt is useless in this world, today, we live in a society where almost anything is
possible, and all we must do is believe in it and work towards what we believe in. If we
doubt ourselves we are as useful as a car without gas. Belief and self-confidence is the
gas that runs our engines.

“yes, father.”
Throughout page 36 – 38: Ravi and Pi

This two worded phrase shows us the impact of a father on his sons and or daughters. The
bittersweet control he has over us and how he has the power to change our lives for the
better with one single sentence, phrase or piece of advice.
“all living things contain a measure of madness that moves them in strange, sometimes
inexplicable ways. This madness can be saving; it is part and parcel of the ability to
adapt. Without it, no species would survive.”
Top of page 41: Pi

In my personal opinion, Pi is talking about raw instinct, and about how this “madness” is
instilled in all of us and how it drives us to do certain things without explanation. He
explains why people go insanely mad over certain things when certain needs aren’t met
like hunger and thirst. This also reminds me of a book I once read titled “Blink” by
Malcolm Gladwell where he explains why we do certain things without having to think
for example, when critics look at a piece and can automatically tell whether it is
acceptable or not, or when a record dealer picks out a certain person at an audition.

“when two creatures meet, the one that is able to intimidate its opponent is recognized as
socially superior, so that a social decision does not always depend on a fight; an
encounter in some circumstances may be enough.”
Top of page 44: Hediger(1950)

This saying reminds me of modern day situations especially in schools, when a popular
student comes to school high five-ing everyone in the halls, and you’re the new kid, you
realize you have no place to go up and talk to him or try to prove you’re better than him.

“I challenge anyone to understand Islam, its spirit and not to love it. It is a beautiful
religion of brotherhood and devotion.”
First paragraph of page 61: Pi

Throughout the book, Pi reveals the beauty of all religions, that no matter what happens,
a love for God has the potential to save you, it has the potential to do anything.

“Bapu Ghandi said, ‘All religions are true.’ I just want to love God.”
Page 69 – Pi

I may be Roman Catholic, but all the same, I simply want to love and worship God no
matter who He is, or which religion is right, whether the right religion is Islam, Hindu,
Christianity I simply want to love God and the idea of thanking the one person that made
life and love possible.

“These people fail to realize that it is on the inside that God must be defended, not on the
outside. They should direct their anger at themselves. For evil in the open is but evil from
within that has been let out. The main battlefield for good is not the open ground of the
public arena but the small clearing of each heart.’
Page 71 – Pi

We must realize not only where the fight is, but we must also realize that there is a fight.
Some of us go on living life without the notion that this conflict between good and evil
exists wherever we may go. Whether you’re in a hallway and a friend drops his or her
text books and you’re a minute from being late to your next class, the simplest form of
conflict between good and evil begins here, you or your friend, his books or your class,
help him or save yourself?

“people move in the hope of a better life.”

Page 77 – Pi

This brings me to an old quote I once heard, “you can change the game, but you can’t
change the rules.” It seems that everyone is in search of something better, everyone
always hopes that when they’re down and out, something or someone is going to
suddenly arrive with a waving cape from up above to save them like a metaphorical
superman. The truth is, we can’t always wait for something to happen, we have to do
things ourselves, we have to change the game for ourselves, and for our futures.

“the very effort was blinding me.”

page 81 – Pi

It appears that “nothing worth having is ever easily attained,” and it also applies to Pi as
well. However, with effort comes the right to reap the rewards. And so, with Pi’s blinding
effort, he received his reward of surviving long enough to hear the waves crash on the
sands of Mexico.

“time is an illusion that only makes us pant. I survived because I forgot the very notion of
time.”
Page 192 – Pi

For some of us, we are in complete control of this illusion, just like the programs of the
Matrix, it is merely an illusion, a system created that we follow. In some situations, to
survive or to find something far superior to the lives we are living, we must forget these
illusions and realize what is real and see what is not.

“You reach a point where you’re at the bottom of hell, yet you have your arms crossed
and a smile on your face, and you feel you’re the luckiest person on earth. Why? Because
at your feet you have a tiny dead fish.”
Page 217 – Pi

My father once showed me a video of a painter who created a mock piece of “the Last
Supper” except instead of Jesus eating with the 12 Disciples, he was eating with children
living in poverty. Each of them were real children he knew, and each of them had stories,
some of them live in houses made from boxes and sheets of metal, some pushed carts all
day and scavenged garbage dumps with other their other love deprived friends. These are
people who knew the real meaning of the word “starving,” they knew the real meaning of
the word “poverty,” and the phrase, “been through hell.” Yet, with their horrid
experiences, they can still continue to worship God. They continue to have hope in the
face of great adversity, these are the true heroes of my world.

“It’s no use, today I die. I will die today. I die.”

Page 240 – Pi

With all my heart, mind and soul, I truly admire Pi and the way he traveled the ocean
with a Bengal tiger with a mind unbroken. His mind remained sane, his heart remained
strong, and his soul remained a soul. Although his thoughts may have strayed away from
the path of seeing himself see salvation, he still remained strong.