Lesson 4: Introduction to Yann Martel and Life of Pi

"Life of Pi" (Image: YouTube)

Lesson 4: Introduction to Yann Martel and Life of Pi


In Lesson 1, we briefly reviewed modernism and also introduced postmodernism. In Lesson 2, we read and discussed "The Tyger" and "The Lamb" and how they explain the different sides of human nature. In Lesson 3, we read and discussed "The Lady, or the Tiger?" and how that story explains human nature. 

In this lesson, we are introducing the novel Life of Pi. Before you start reading, however, you should know something about the author, Yann Martel, so that you may better understand the novel. You will find out why this is important as we read the novel.

Lesson 4: Guiding Questions


One of our unit objectives is to identify the characteristics of postmodernist literature. As you begin reading Life of Pi, look for the following literary techniques and characteristics.

1. Author as character: One literary technique that characterizes postmodernism is the author as a character. Some postmodernist authors like to place themselves as a character in the work of fiction they are writing. Remember this characteristic of postmodernism as you read the links below and then start the first section of Life of Pi.
2. Narrative shifts: Another literary technique that characterizes postmodernism is narrative shifts. This means that a story can be told from many different perspectives. Using different narrators to tell the story can greatly influence what the story means. 

Lesson 4: Readings and Instructions

First, read these two short articles about Yann Martel, which are linked here: 

"Yann Martel" (British Council of Literature 2015).

"Into the Void: Yann Martel on the Origins of His Novel - Life of Pi" (The Guardian 2007).

Next, watch this briefYouTube interview of the author (Bill Kenower 2010).

Yann Martel is the Canadian author who wrote Life of Pi. Life of Pi won the Man Booker Prize for Literature in 2002. This is the highest award for a novelist in the United Kingdom, much like the Pulitzer Prize for Literature is the highest award for an American writer.

Despite Martel's success with Life of Pi, it is important to know that he wrote two novels that failed to do well. After the failure of his first two novels, he traveled to India searching for inspiration for a third novel. This is an important connection to Life of Pi. In the novel, the fictional writer has also written two novels that failed. This fictional writer also travels to India, looking for inspiration for his third novel. In Life of Pi, Martel never identifies the fictional writer by name, but it is clear that his biography is strangely similar to Martel's biography. 

Now that you have learned some facts about Yann Martel, his career, and how he wrote Life of Pi, you are ready to begin reading the novel. This is your assigned reading in Life of Pi for today: 

1. Read Author's Note, pp. viii - xii.
2. Read Part I: Toronto and Pondicherry, Chapters 1-14 (pp. 3-45).

Lesson 4 Assignment: 

After you have finished the reading, select one of the questions listed below and write a short paragraph response to the question. Your short paragraph should be 150 words or less and is worth 10 points each. Post your both your question and response in the forum below the questions. 

1. Why do you think Martel began his novel with the Author's Note? 
2. In the Author's Note, the fictional writer meets Mr. Adirubasamy. Who is this man, and what relation is he to Pi Patel, the main character? Who is actually telling Pi's story to the fictional writer, and why might this be important? 
3. Mr. Adirubasamy tells the fictional writer that he will tell him a story that will "make you believe in God." Then he tells the fictional writer specific, realistic information about the zoo in Pondicherry, India. How do you think these two pieces of information might be related? 
4. Pi Patel is the first speaker in Chapter 1. He discusses animals for at least six pages in this chapter (pp. 14-19)--how they behavior in nature and how they behave in zoos. Why do you think he spends so much time on this description?
5. How does Pi Patel get his name? What does the name Pi mean in mathematical terms? Predict why the origins of his name might be significant later.
6. In Chapter 8, Pi says that Man is the most dangerous animal in the zoo. What reasons does he give? 
7. What is the significance of the lesson Pi's father teaches to him and his brother Ravi about the tiger? 
8. In Chapters 9-13, Pi discusses the significance of animal territories. Briefly summarize the importance of animal territories and predict why this might be important later in the novel.
9. Why is Mr. Kumar, the atheist, one of Pi's favorite teachers? 
10. As Pi is telling his story to the fictional writer in Part I, occasionally there is a short chapter in which the fictional writer records his private thoughts about Pi Patel. What effect does this have on the story? Does it make the story seem more or less real?

Your question and response will be graded with the following rubric:

Online Question and Response Rubric

Criteria	Exemplary=5	Proficient=3-4	Limited=2	Unsatisfactory=0
Critical Analysis (Understanding of Readings and Outside References)	Response shows an excellent understanding of the required readings and underlying concepts including correct use of terminology. Response integrates an outside resource, or relevant research, or specific real-life application (work experience, prior coursework, etc.) to support important points. Well-edited quotes are cited appropriately.  No more than 10% of the posting is a direct quotation.	Response displays an understanding of the required readings and underlying concepts including correct use of terminology and proper citation.	Response repeats and summarizes basic, correct information, but do not link readings to outside references, relevant research or specific real-life application and do not consider alternative perspectives or connections between ideas. Sources are not cited.	Response shows little or no evidence that readings were completed or understood. Postings are largely personal opinions or feelings, or "I agree" or "Great idea," without supporting  statements with concepts from the readings, outside resources, relevant research, or specific real-life application.
Quality of Writing and Proofreading	Written responses are free of grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.  The style of writing facilitates communication.	Written responses are largely free of grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.  The style of writing generally facilitates communication.	Written responses include some grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors that distract the reader.	Written responses contain numerous grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.  The style of writing does not facilitate effective communication.
Total Possible = 10

Rubric adapted from a rubric created by Lynn E. Nielsen at University of Northern Iowa-Cedar Falls.

A+ Rubric, Joan Vandervelde (2015) University of Wisconsin-Stout. https://www2.uwstout.edu/content/profdev/rubrics/discussionrubric.html

Lesson 4: Place Your Questions and Short Paragraph Responses in the Forum Below