Week+3+ECQ's

=Week 3 ECQ's=

Dominant Theme: Survival is more important than morals.
 * ECQ # 1**

Quote: "It is simple and brutal: a person can get used to anything, even killing" (Martel 234).

Explanation: Before his ship sank, Pi was a very religious vegetarian. Once he was stranded in the middle of the pacific, he quickly realized he would not only have to eat meat, but also kill for it. Thus, for him, this "simple" task of eating became arduous. It was extremely difficult for him to give up his values, even when the world was falling apart around him. This only goes to show how strong his character is, and how important his religious and moral beliefs are to him. Such determination will help to keep him alive, despite his loss of morals. Eventually, he was able to overcome his reservations against killing to feed himself. He was able to overcome his emotion and survive.

Dominant Theme: Belief in God.
 * ECQ #2**

Quote: "1 spotted hyena, 1 Bengal tiger, 1 lifeboat, 1 ocean, 1 God" (Martel 184).

Explanation: Once Pi finally found supplies on his lifeboat, he began to list each thing on the boat. In the end he lists the areas which are the most important, ending his list with God. Pi is a religious person due to him following many religions. Pi follows three religions: Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam. In society, those are seen to be all contradictions to each other and each one believe they are the true religion. But all Pi wants to do is love God. He believes that all of the gods and stories of all the three religions are true and are ultimately the same God. When he becomes stranded on the lifeboat, he eagerly searches for God and does the main religious practices of the three. Martel is emphasizing the use of God being used in all aspects of life. Pi is constantly thinking of God and just wants to love God. He is constantly hearing they are all different gods, but Pi only sees there to be "1 God." He believes they are all the same and that belief in the God is necessary.