Layout & Content Connections

In creating this blog, I considered many relevant components of the book "Life of Pi" in order to create a web page that could pass as something Pi himself would have made. In regards to my background, the reason I chose the picture of the sunset was because it symbolizes Pi's inner struggle between doing what is right and what is wrong (especially when it comes to cannibalism). It also represents the many sunsets Pi had to experience in his 227 days at sea and the depletion of hope that he felt with each setting sun. The use of the colour orange (in not only the picture, but the background and font colour) represents hope and survial. The colour orange is a very important symbol in the novel and is the colour of Pi's cat as an adult, the whistle he is given, the lifebuoy and the orang-utan, Orange Juice. The use of the colours white, black and orange also work together as the colours of a tiger. I did this because Richard Parker is one of the main characters of the novel and is basically what the book is centered around. The title of the blog, "Plight of Pi" is an alteration of the book's title and highlights greatly what the blog is about: Pi's plight at sea.

Finally, in terms of the themes, "Like a metallic burp..." is for the theme of Hope and Despair, "The last sip of Orange Juice" is for the theme of The Nature of Savagery, "Just like nature, death calls!" is for The Will to Survive and "It's not over until the big cat sings" is for The Need to Communicate. My first entry depicts Hope and Despair because the sinking of the Tsimtsum was the initial despair in Pi's never-ending journey. My second entry depicts The Nature of Savagery because it describes the hyena's attack on the orang-utan. My third entry depicts The Will to Survive because it talks about Pi's creation of his survival plan, which clearly shows that he has the will to survive. My last entry is for The Need to Communicate because it discusses the part of the novel in which Pi is talking to Richard Parker in a desperate plea for social interaction.

External Links:

Introduction to Buddhism: http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/buddhaintro.html

Toronto Zoo Website: http://www.torontozoo.com/

Cookie recipes: http://www.popularcookierecipes.com/

It's not over until the big cat sings

If there was ever a time prior to last week that I suspected myself of being mad, I have now officially confirmed it. I am still not entirely sure what caused it, but for a couple days of absolute horror I found myself completely blind. I did not know what to think or what to do with the situation- I was helpless in every way imaginable and was forced to rely on my other three senses to carry on. Through my ordeal, something particularily strange happened. My sense of hearing must have been heightened because out of no where, I started hearing a voice. This of course being extremely odd seeing as I am the only human on the lifeboat. Myself and this mysterious other person began having a conversation about food. He told me how much he enjoyed meat dishes and I shared my desire for vegetables. Based on his blood-thirsty descriptions, I knew it was Richard Parker. I couldn't help but wish he would have spoken up earlier! I asked him if he has ever killed a man before and he informed me that he has not only killed a man, but a woman as well. This news should not have shocked me, but I still found myself suppressing a gasp. Whether it was a gasp in regards to what Richard Parker did or the extent of my own insanity, I would not be able to tell you. All I know is that even if the whole experience was just a figment of my imagination, I really appreciated the company for those few solitary moments.

Just like nature, death calls!

I recently conducted a well-thought- out plan for survival that made me realize very soon after that I have been in the sun far too long. The days are feeling longer and more physically draining. If that, plus my overall mental and emotional state wasn't taking enough of a toll on me, the fact that I am sharing a small space with a full-grown tiger named Richard Parker is pushing me right over the edge (literally). My plan for survival consists solely of ways to be rid of this large death-beckoning creature that has been prompting my terror for what must be months now. The six options that I have compiled include: pushing him off the lifeboat, killing him with six morphine surringes, attacking him with whatever weaponry I have in my possession, choking him, poisoning him and/or setting him on fire and electrocuting him and last but not least, waging a war of attrition. I felt quite confident and content with my ideas until it dawned on me that I am up against a 300-pound beast! How would I push him off the lifeboat? Are six surringes even enough to kill a tiger? How could I possibly fight him off with the measly weapons I have on this boat? I don't have poison or a way to electrocute him either, so that's not even a valid option. A war of attrition? Who am I kidding! I'm in way over my head. I suppose it's back to the drawing board...if I had a drawing board...

The last sip of Orange Juice

When I discovered that beautiful orang-utan floating towards the liftboat on the infamous raft of bananas, it was as if a light was re-ignited inside of me. I felt as though I was seeing the sun for the first time; glowing brightly within my soul. I could see a halo encircling her tremendous head. Despite being told by my father of the dangers of orang-utans, (no matter how cute and loveable they appear behind bars at the zoo, they are unbelievably strong), there was something about her appearance that inspired hope and a new outlook on my situation. While I was in the midst of doubting my survival, Orange Juice turned up to change my entire perspective. All of this was taken away from me the day the disgusting, savage hyena murdered her and ripped off her hope-bearing head. A fight had broken out between the two of them which lead to her ultimate demise. I wanted to vomit and scream and cry all at once. While the hyena gluttonously ate the remnants of his kill, I cowered away in the corner secretly hoping and praying that I would not be next.

Like a metallic burp...

I find it quite difficult to express my confusion and sheer horror the day the Tsimtsum sank. I have pondered the fitting words to describe this event for hours now, but nothing has come to mind. It all happened so fast that I didn't even have time to breathe. One moment, there was a violent storm. The next, panic-stricken crew members were running around frantically and I was being thrown into a lifeboat. I didn't even have time to allow the unbearably cold rain to chill me to the bone. Considering the fate of my family members was enough to provide the greatest pain and discomfort of all. If matters cannot get any worse, I ended up saving an adult Bengal tiger from the treacherous waters of the Pacfic Ocean. I still have yet to figure out what could have possibly possessed me to carry out such a foolish act, but I am paying for it dearly. With each passing day, my fear eats a tiny bit more of me. I pray to God and Allah and Vishnu that a rescue is on my horizon because sooner or later there will be nothing left. As those stunning orange and pink colours flood the sky once again, my horizon is looking less and less promising.