"Hollow at the core": Deconstructing Yann Martel's Life of Pi | Stratton | Studies in Canadian Literature / Études en littérature canadienne - 1 views
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lindsey shields on 11 Dec 11Argument: This article's main purpose is to deconstruct Yann Martel's Life of Pi. The author, Florence Stratton argues various points, depicting the novel by reasoning Martel's choices. Stratton also discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the novel's claims. Claim: Stratton proposes Martel's treatment of religion in the novel reigns unpersuasive in the essence that the story would not make others believe in God, but justify the belief in Him. He also argues Life of Pi structures around various philosophical debates such as favoring reason over imagination, science over religion, materialism over idealism and fact over fiction or story; these debates are symbolized through the various characters of the novel. Stratton discusses Martel's elaborative plot and characters, discussing their symbolism. Evidence: "This wonderful book did not make me believe in God but it did reinforce my faith in the considerable redemptive powers of fiction" (Whittaker). "Mr. Chiba, on the other hand, represents the viewpoint of Romanticism, and, in particular, its emphasis on spontaneity, subjectivity, imaginative creativity, and emotion" (Stratton). "The dazzling display of colours and patters suggests that Richard Parker's primary signification is the incantatory or transcendent power of art: the imaginative truths or realities that great art encompasses" (Stratton). "..the heroic struggle of a religiously devout man to overcome the impediments of material reality" (Stratton).