Life of Pi

[sapphi_snake]

Mr Khan said:

sapphi_snake said:

Mr Khan said:

Huh, i actually read this one too

I thought it was just something he made up off the cuff to satisfy the interrogaters. The religion allegory is certainly there, but my thoughts are that the first way has to be true, otherwise the entire book gives exactly the wrong message about religion, compared to, say, the buildup it gave for the role of spirituality in Pi's life earlier on.

Pi was delusional throughout the book. For example the instance when he's afraid to debate with that atheist guy, because he knows that his beliefs will be defeated. The author simply unwillingly portrays the dangers of religion, and how simply ridiculous it is. Not to mention that he supports keeping poor animals in zoos, like sideshow attractions for humans.

Unless the author was trying to portray him as unsympathetic and backwards the whole time, it went completely over my head.

That's why i'm leery about books too heavy on symbolism or allegory. A cigar is a cigar to me. Part of the reason for my enduring hatred of "Catcher in the Rye"

The author was trying something, but managed to do the opposite. He wasn't trying to present him as unsimpathetic, but analyzing the book carefully, that's the only way you can view him. Quit frankly, the author himself seems like a delusional jerk, just like his character.

As for The Cathcer in the Rye: Holden has mental problems, due to his  inability to accept the faults of adults, and move on from the "innocence" of childhood.