Trapped in Geometry: Life of Pi

Life is a repeating cycle of endless trials and unexpected changes. Whether the changes were the test in faith, belief or courage, the trials never end. This is very similar to the endless series of numbers that make up Pi. Faith, on the other hand, is the circumference which guided Pi along the circle of trials. The story Life of Pi, written by Yann Martel, is a story about how the influence of geometry had helped a boy hold his faith in God and survive the incredible shipwreck that shaped his life forever.

Piscine Molitor Patel, also known to Pi Patel, was the main character in the story. Pi had lived a life of faith. Nevertheless, the boy had never stopped loving God. Mr. Francis Adirubasamy had once mentioned the toy train in the botanical garden, “A train still runs on Sundays for the amusement of the children. But it used to run twice an hour everyday…The toy train had two stops: Roseville and Zootown. Once upon a time there was a zoo in the Pondicherry Botanical Garden (Martel XI)”. Pi’s faith in God is like the toy train. It is a cycle that must be tested over and over again. No matter how busy Pi’s life was, he never forgets to slip in a prayer during his days. No matter what changes will be made in his life, Pi will always return to God. No matter how many times the train stopped, it will always continue to be on its track. No matter whether the train was broken or stop functioning, it could always be fixed and continue to toot its way around the track.

Pi had been trapped by the figures of geometry during his journey and throughout his faith. Pi had once noted: “To be a castaway is to be a point perpetually at the centre of a circle. However much things may appear to change...the geometry never changes. Your gaze is a...

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...I hate about my nick name, the way that number runs on forever. It’s important in life to conclude things properly. Only then can you let go (Martel 285)”. The period in “3.14” had concluded Pi before a series of endless numbers let loose into an unexpected direction. This is the reason why the period is a very important component that made up Pi.

Geometry reference had played a major role in shaping Life of Pi. It had guided Pi Patel along his faith in God. It had also created a sense of harmony in orders of things and had makes Pi’s journey what it had become. The trials in the trapping of geometry had shaped Pi’s future tremendously. Life of Pi had taught a lesson of keeping an endless faith no matter what the unexpected turns had become in the endless series of number “3.14…”

Works Cited

Martel, Yann. Life of Pi: A Novel. Orlando, FL: Harcourt, 2003. Print.