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lindsey shields on 14 Dec 11Argument: This article discusses Yann Martel's narrative. Stephens' analyzes its effectiveness and religious appeal. He also juxtaposes the usage of science and religion through their "counteractive" purposes. Stephens' entire article discusses Pi's conclusion of a "better story". Claim: Stephens labels Life of Pi as an allegorical castaway story. He stated the idea of the novel being able to "make you believe in God" was untrue. Instead of making one believe in God, it instead gave them the choice to believe. Religion provides one half of the frame of the novel, the second half is science. Stephens suggests the incompatibility of the two. He claims Martel uses the novel to connect the relationships between human and animals through the main character's religious faith and choices. The nonreligious gain a desire to believe. Evidence: "Martel gives the reader the democratic choice: the desire to believe rather than the belief itself" (Stephens). "The theme of this novel can be summarized in three lines. Life is a story. You can choose your story. And a story with an imaginative overlay is the better story" (Martel qtd. in Stephens). "In what ways would this be seen by the nonreligious as a religious book...what ways might this text actually give secular readers a desire to believe...what ways might this text lead religious readers who already believe in God to re-envision that deity, or to worship him, her, or it in a new way?" (Stephens).