Life of Pi--Prompt #3

            When someone asks a question, they are usually seeking an answer. When literature asks a question, it is seeking an action. I feel that the central question of Life of Pi is: How much of religion is real?

            I was hesitant to write my essay around this prompt because I’m still not quite sure that I missed a deeper meaning hidden within the book, but as I pondered which prompt to write on, I compared Pi’s first account of what happened aboard the boat to that of Christ. They’re similar in the way that they’re both so surreal that it’s difficult to believe either one. So the question Life of Pi left me with was whether or not I truly believe in my religion or if I’m behaving similarly to Pi when he created the story of the animals to protect himself the true trauma of his reality.

            Life of Pi doesn’t offer the answer to this question because Yann Martel never tells the reader which account is true; the readers are merely left to decide for themselves what happened on that life boat. It’s up to the reader to see that Richard Parker is Pi’s way to deal with the things he did on his quest for survival.

C.S. Lewis once said, “Literature adds to reality; it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become.” I found this quote quite fitting for the central question in Life of Pi, not only because of the content of the quote but also because of the strong religious background of the man who said it.  I feel that Life of Pi does add to reality by showing that what we think is real may not always be so. At the same time, however, the novel also shows that reality and fiction are in our own hands when it comes to religion.

Life of Pi--Prompt #3

            When someone asks a question, they are usually seeking an answer. When literature asks a question, it is seeking an action. I feel that the central question of Life of Pi is: How much of religion is real?

            I was hesitant to write my essay around this prompt because I’m still not quite sure that I missed a deeper meaning hidden within the book, but as I pondered which prompt to write on, I compared Pi’s first account of what happened aboard the boat to that of Christ. They’re similar in the way that they’re both so surreal that it’s difficult to believe either one. So the question Life of Pi left me with was whether or not I truly believe in my religion or if I’m behaving similarly to Pi when he created the story of the animals to protect himself the true trauma of his reality.

            Life of Pi doesn’t offer the answer to this question because Yann Martel never tells the reader which account is true; the readers are merely left to decide for themselves what happened on that life boat. It’s up to the reader to see that Richard Parker is Pi’s way to deal with the things he did on his quest for survival.

C.S. Lewis once said, “Literature adds to reality; it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become.” I found this quote quite fitting for the central question in Life of Pi, not only because of the content of the quote but also because of the strong religious background of the man who said it.  I feel that Life of Pi does add to reality by showing that what we think is real may not always be so. At the same time, however, the novel also shows that reality and fiction are in our own hands when it comes to religion.

Current event #4

Black ministors say that they don't support Obama's approval of same-sex marriage, but they still love him and want him in office.
Disclaimer: Before I begin my weekly current event rant, let it be known that I am not, nor have I ever been, racist in the slightest.
THIS IS SUCH BULLSHIT! If President Bush had thrown his support to same-sex marriage, do you think preachers would be saying "Well we don't agree, but we have bigger issues. He should still be in office."? No. They would flip out. It's a complete double standard. If you're going to take a stand on same-sex marriage, whether it be for or against, take your stand. Don't be passive just because a black president supports it as opposed to a white person. You should support a candidate based on their views. If they are against what the president believes yet support him because he's Obama, my fellow countrymen, that is indeed racism.
I should also add that some of these preachers have stayed with the beliefs of the church and withdrawn their support for Obama.

Gilgoff, Dan. "Across country, black pastors weigh in on Obama's same-sex marriage support". cnn.com. 13 May 2012. Web. 15 May 2012.

Life of Pi 4

It took me a while to decide which version of the story I wanted to believe was true. I've finally made my decision. I think Pi's second account of the story, the one with real people as opposed to animals, is the true account of what happened aboard the lifeboat. I didn't want to think it was real because it was so gruesome and sad. In the end, however, those factors are exactly what lead me to believe that it's true. I think Pi created the animals to deal with the trauma of what actually happened.
This book is probably the strangest book I've ever read, but it's strange in a fascinating way. The symbols and ideas in it leave you with nothing to do but sit and ponder what you've just read.

Current Event #3

Biden says that he's comfortable with the idea of gay marriage while Obama's view is "evolving".

I think this is a good thing. When it comes to gay rights, my mother has always said "If you support gay marriage, you're supporting sin." But the thing is, if homosexuality is a sin, isn't it a greater sin if it's outside of marriage? I don't know. Personally, I believe if you love each other and want to be together forever, awesome. I think it's great if the president decides to allow it regardless of whether or not what close-minded, extreme conservatives think it's wrong. (looking at you, Mom)

Current Event #2

Facebook has announced that they would like to allow users to sign up to donate organs through their website.
Um.. Pardon? I'm all for changing the world and helping out those in need, but I don't think a social networking site is the best place to locate an ORGAN DONOR. Perhaps I'm just cinical, but I think it's really a quite terrible idea. I understand that we have to find some way to increase the number of organ donors in order to help save lives, but there must be a better way to do so. Facebook is where people go to stalk the crazy pregnant girl or the nasty PDA couple, not to find someone to save your life.

Almasy, Steve. "Facebook encouraging organ donations". cnn.com. 1 May 2012. Web. 1 May 2012.

Life of Pi blog 3

I was so proud of myself for understanding the relgious metaphors in the book, but I'm completely lost. I just can't understand the book. The wording is all very bizarre and foreign to me. I'm not very deep, and I'm almost positive that's why I can't understand a book like this. However, the fews parts that I do understand about Pi's religious journey are beautiful. My favorite part of the book is still in the beginning when he quotes Ghandi about relgion. I find his child-like faith captivating. I feel that Pi has the kind of faith that we all aspire to have.