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What kind of dreams does Pi (the narrator in chapter 1) have about Richard Parker?
Nightmares tinged with love.
Find and list two words that are associated with religion in paragraphs 5-7 of chapter 3. What are these words used to describe?
“Disciple” and “ashram”. Describes the spiritual-like dedication and discipline in Pi’s pursuit of learning to swim under Mamaji’s guidance.
List the three types of animals that Pi uses as evidence that, even when animals are freed from zoos, they still yearn to get back to captivity
Chimpanzee, roe-deer, and bear
Why do you think Pi has so much food? Think about what will eventually happen in this story
Pi’s stockpile of food can be seen as a reflection of his traumatic experience of being stranded at sea, where he faced extreme deprivation.
What disease did Mr. Kumar have as a boy, and how did his experience affect his views on religion?
Mr. Kumar, Pi’s biology teacher, had polio as a boy. His experience with the disease significantly shaped his views on religion. At the height of his sickness, young Mr. Kumar looked for God, but felt that God "never came". This led him to become a staunch atheist. He found solace and wonder in nature, often visiting the Pondicherry Zoo to admire the animals. Despite his atheism, he had a profound influence on Pi’s spiritual journey
Explain the display with the small curtain that Pi’s father set up just beyond the ticket booth
Pi’s father set up a display just beyond the ticket booth at the zoo to exhibit the “most dangerous animal in the zoo”. Behind a small curtain, there was a mirror. When visitors pulled back the curtain expecting to see a ferocious beast, they were confronted with their own reflection. This was a profound lesson from Pi’s father, illustrating that humans can be the most dangerous animals
List two animals, other than the tiger, that Pi’s father warns him about. Why is each dangerous?
Hyenas - strong jaws, hippos - mouths will crush body
Based on the author’s description of Pi’s home, what religion does Pi practice?
Pi practices Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam simultaneously
How does Pi feel about fundamentalists and literalists?
Pi is critical of fundamentalists and literalists, viewing them as limiting the richness and complexity of faith
What is coincidental about the Sufi Muslim’s name?
The Sufi Muslim’s name, Satish Kumar, is coincidentally the same as Pi’s atheistic biology teacher
Describe Pi’s parents’ religious beliefs
Pi’s parents were culturally Hindu but lived secular lives, with his father emphasizing rationalism and his mother showing no religious interest
“The main battlefield for good is not the open ground of the public arena but the _____.” Fill in the blank and explain what is meant by this sentence
The blank is filled with "small clearing of each heart", meaning the real struggle between good and evil takes place within individuals
Which of Pi’s religions does his father most object to? Why?
Pi’s father, Santosh, most objects to Pi’s practice of Islam due to his concerns about religious fanaticism
When did Pi’s family decide to move, and why did they decide to move? See the attached New York Times article from 1976 for some real-world context
Pi’s family decided to move to Canada in the 1970s due to political strife in India
How does the zebra symbolize both Mr. Kumars
The zebra symbolizes the reconciliation of the two Mr. Kumars’ conflicting belief systems: it exists and can be identified scientifically, representing Mr. Kumar the biology teacher, and it is also a creation of God, representing Mr. Kumar the Muslim baker. It symbolizes the motif of duality.
Who is pictured in Pi’s photos from India, and who is not pictured?
Mamaji, Pi’s father, Richard Parker, another picture of a pool (no one in it). Pi’s mother is not pictured.
Who are the members of Pi’s family in Toronto as the author interviews him? Include names. Also include the pets and their names
His son Nikhi, a dog called Tata, a daughter called Usha, and a cat called Moccasin.
Who is Richard Parker?
Richard Parker is a 450-pound Royal Bengal tiger
Who comes on board the lifeboat after floating to it on some bananas, and how does Pi describe her?
Orange Juice, a large orangutan, comes aboard the lifeboat after floating to it on a nest of bananas, and Pi describes her as the Virgin Mary, with flaming hair.
How does Pi feel about hyenas? Explain your answer
Pi feels fear and revulsion towards hyenas due to their violent and unpredictable behavior, as well as their ability to eat anything, even their own kind
How does Pi feel when the first rays of light break across the horizon after his first night on the lifeboat?
When the first rays of light break across the horizon after his first night on the lifeboat, Pi feels filled with hope
At the end of his second day, Pi realizes that “it was not only the day that died and the poor zebra, but___” Explain how he feels about this
Pi feels that with the second sunset, not only the day and the zebra died, but also his family, as he accepts their death
What happens to Orange Juice?
Orange Juice, the orangutan, is attacked by the hyena on the lifeboat and is killed
How big is the boat, and how big is Richard Parker by comparison?
26 feet. RP is over a third of the length.
Does Pi prioritize food or water? How does this make him like Richard Parker’s mother?
Pi identifies thirst as his greatest danger, making drinkable water his and Richard Parker’s greatest priority. This survival instinct is similar to Richard Parker’s mother, who was caught with her cub at a watering hole, indicating her priority for water for survival.
Describe the actions and fate of the rat
In “Life of Pi”, a rat appears on the lifeboat and runs up onto Pi’s head. In a quick reaction, Pi grabs and throws the rat at Richard Parker, who devours it instantly. This action distracts Richard Parker, giving Pi just enough time to escape onto his raft
How does Pi feel the first time he gets into his makeshift raft?
When Pi first gets into his makeshift raft, he feels a sense of relief as it proves seaworthy, but also fears knowing he is floating just above a vast ocean with sharks all around. He is also overwhelmed by the task of survival, constantly checking the knots in the ropes holding together the parts of the raft
Why does Pi eventually come to believe that a war of attrition won’t work?
Pi initially plans to wage a “war of attrition” against Richard Parker, hoping the tiger would run out of food and water before he did. However, he eventually realizes this plan is flawed as it relies heavily on his own ability to outlast the tiger, which is uncertain given the harsh conditions at sea
In what way is the sea like a city?
In “Life of Pi”, Pi sees the sea as a “city” of ocean life, teeming with diverse creatures like dorados, sharks, and plankton, much like a city bustling with different people
How does Pi’s first attempt at fishing go?
Pi’s first attempt at fishing in “Life of Pi” is unsuccessful; he uses a rudimentary hook and bait made from his leather shoe, but it doesn’t work
Why does Pi hesitate to kill the flying fish?
Pi, a lifelong vegetarian and pacifist, hesitates to kill the flying fish because it goes against his principles. He feels as if he has committed a great sin, leading to tears flowing down his cheeks
Were the solar stills effective? Explain your answer
Yes, the solar stills were effective in “Life of Pi”. Despite his initial skepticism, Pi found that the solar stills, which transform salt water into fresh water through a process of evaporation and condensation, worked to produce fresh water. He drank heartily from one of the twelve stills and emptied the rest into a bucket for Richard Parker
How long was Pi’s total time at sea?
227 days
How did the net prove useful?
The net was used as a fishing lure
How many turtle-shell shields did Pi go through when training Richard Parker, and how did he lose them?
Pi used a total of five turtle-shell shields when training Richard Parker. Each time he attempted to train Richard Parker, the tiger would charge at him, knocking Pi into the water and causing him to lose the shield.
What happens in the second shortest chapter of the book (chapter 75)?
Sang “Happy Birthday” to his mother.
What was “the single most constant source of anxiety and suffering” throughout Pi’s journey?
The “single most constant source of anxiety and suffering” throughout Pi’s journey in “Life of Pi” was the scarcity of food
How does Pi feel about whales?
Pi is fascinated by whales and sees them as majestic and rare creatures. He imagines them communicating about him and trying to help him, which makes them seem like holy messengers to him.
What does Pi do after the oil tanker becomes a speck on the horizon?
He expresses his love for Richard Parker. He promises that he’ll get them to land.
The audience gets a glimpse of Pi’s final journal entry. According to the entry, what does Pi do for the most (first? Is this typo?) time ever on the day he wrote the entry?
If for first time ever, Pi touches Richard Parker.
When Pi is blind and hallucinating, he has a conversation with a French castaway who he originally assumes is Richard Parker. What eventually happens to this castaway in Pi’s fevered mind, and how does Pi feel about it? (This chapter will make more sense later)
The castaway is killed by Richard Parker. Pi feels horrified and that something died in him that would never come back to life.
When Pi gets his vision back, what does he notice about the face of the other castaway (his “brother”)?
Richard Parker had eaten his face.
What is strange about the tree that Pi rests under?
It is unlike any tree. It grew right out of the algae with no soil.
Why didn’t the meerkats run away from Richard Parker?
The meerkats on the algae island in “Life of Pi” didn’t run away from Richard Parker because they had no natural predators and were not accustomed to fear.
Why does Pi decide to leave the island?
Pi decides to leave the algae island after he discovers that it’s carnivorous. He finds a human tooth inside a fruit, which leads him to the horrifying realization that the island kills and consumes anything on or below its surface at night.
Why does Pi weep like a child when being carried away on the Mexican coast?
Richard Parker had left him very unceremoniously
How does Mr. Okamoto treat Mr. Chiba?
He treats Mr. China less seriously and thinks he’s better than him. Reminds me of an older sibling and younger sibling relationship.
In Pi’s revised story, who are the four people on the boat?
His mom, him, the cook, and the Chinese sailor.
How did the cook hide the sailor’s face?
He pulled it off
How is the hyena/orang-utan relationship like the cook/Mother relationship?
Fought each other. Cook killed mother. Cook is violent and brutal like the hyena. Mother is gentle but strong survival instinct like the orang-utan. Similar fight.
What does Pi mean when he says, “And so it goes with God”?
When Pi says, “And so it goes with God,” he is expressing the idea that faith, like his story, is a matter of personal interpretation and belief. Just as people may choose to believe in the more fantastical version of his survival story, they may also choose to believe in God because it offers a more beautiful and meaningful interpretation of life.
The witches plan to meet again when:
the battle is over
The three witches will see ___ the next time they meet
Macbeth
All three witches agree that things are not what they seem to be. Look for this idea in Shakespeare’s original words in Scene One and write those words.
“Fair is foul, and foul is fair” (1.1.12).
Think about the meaning of the quote in question #3. Based on this quote, what kind of world would you guess Macbeth lives in?
Things aren’t what they seem to be.
What news does the captain bring about the battle between Macdonwald and Macbeth?
You couldn’t tell who would win
According to the captain, what did Macbeth and Banquo do when the Norwegian troops began a new attack?
They were not scared, and they fought with twice as much force
What is a thane?
A governor of an area
When King Duncan hears the battle report, he gives Ross two important commands. What does he order Ross to do?
The thane of Cawdor will be executed and that his title will be given to Macbeth
When Macbeth orders the witches to speak, they address him be three different titles
Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, Who shall be king hereafter
Describe Macbeth’s reaction when he first hears the witches’ predictions for the future.
Curious and surprised
What message that matches the witches’ predictions does Ross bring Macbeth?
He is now thane of Cawdor
Why is Banquo suddenly fearful?
They may get betrayed by the witches
Now Macbeth is frightened and confused because he faces a hard choice. He can either let chance make him king (by waiting for the current king to die) or he can do what?
Murder him
Look at the language of the report and the actions of the Thane of Cawdor’s death. Did the Thane of Cawdor die cowardly or bravely? Explain your answer.
Bravely, because he bravely admitted what he did, and took the punishment.
King Duncan announces that he has given his son, Malcolm, a new title. What is it?
Prince of Cumberland, heir to the throne.
What role will Malcolm play in the future of Scotland?
He is the next King of Scotland.
Macbeth seems upset by the new honors given to Malcolm. Explain what Macbeth means when he says he must “leap over” this new step.
Get rid of it, kill it.
What surprising news does the messenger bring her (Lady Macbeth)?
That Macbeth is Thane of Cawdor. The messengers also tell her everything the witches said, emphasizing Macbeth’s future (potential?) role of king.
Shakespeare also used images of birds to create a special mood. What bird does he use in this scene, and how might it make the audience feel?
Ravens, and it may make the audience fearful (ravens were a bad omen), and perhaps even remorseful.
What does Lady Macbeth ask the spirits to do? Why does she do this?
She asks the spirits to make her as evil as possible (“unsex her”, make her man). She does this so that she can murder Duncan.
Explain what Lady Macbeth means when she tells Macbeth to “deceive the world” and “look like the innocent flower.”
To be cunning, and hide his true feelings.
Lady Macbeth is warm and polite to the King and his companions. ON the lines below, write two of her kind remarks to the king.
Quote: “Everything … brought to our family” (1.6.15-18).
Quote: “We are … back what’s yours” (1.6.26-29).
Macbeth gives several reasons why he shouldn’t kill the King. List three:
He’s the host.
He’ll be damned.
Justice will get him back (aka he will die).
Lady Macbeth enters and scolds Macbeth for leaving the party. Why does she call him “afraid” and “undependable”?
He didn’t want to kill Duncan
Explain the steps in Lady Macbeth’s plan for killing the King.
First, Duncan will ___
Then his servants will ____
Finally, she and Macbeth will ____
Blame for the murder will fall upon ____
Fall asleep
Guard his room, till Lady Macbeth gets them drunk
Kill the king, then put the dagger used in the murder with the chamberlains (guards)
Duncan’s chamberlains (guards)
Banquet is exhausted but cannot go to sleep. What keeps him from sleeping?
He keeps getting nightmares (“cursed thoughts”).
Give two examples of the King’s generosity.
He gifts the lady a diamond.
He has granted gifts to the household and servants.
When Banquo mentions the Weird Sisters, what is Macbeth’s reply?
That he’ll talk to Banquo about it when he’s free.
When Macbeth is alone, he sees a “deadly vision.” Describe what he sees.
A dagger leads him to Duncan’s room (the handle pointing at him).
Macbeth worries that his passion will be cooled by what?
By him thinking and talking about the plan/murder more and more, and doubting himself.
Why doesn’t Lady Macbeth kill Duncan when she has the chance?
Duncan reminded her of her father.
What does Macbeth call “a sorry sight”?
His bloody hands.
Lady Macbeth warns Macbeth that they must not think too seriously about the deeds. Why?
It’ll drive them crazy.
Macbeth reports that he thought he heard a voice cry, “Sleep no more! Macbeth has murdered sleep.” Read the lines following this quote. Why do you think Macbeth may not be able to sleep?
He heard a voice say, “... therefore Macbeth will sleep no more.” Basically, he will not be able to sleep because he will think about the murder, and he will get driven crazy; after all, Duncan was a good king, and he was murdered by Macbeth.
Why does Lady Macbeth return to Duncan’s room?
To put the daggers back, as false evidence to incriminate the dead guards.
Lennox reports that the night has been unlike anything he remembers. List four strange events.
Cries of grief in the air.
Terrible voices predicting catastrophes, and a woeful new age.
Owls making noises all night.
The earth shook like it had a fever.
Who finds Duncan’s body? Why wouldn’t Macbeth want to find it first?
Macduff finds it, and Macbeth wouldn’t want to find it first, to get rid of any suspicion at all.
Why does Macduff call Duncan’s death a “sacrilegious murder”?
The Great Chain of Being - Kings are placed in their place by gods themselves, and as a result, are untouchable; to murder them is to go against God’s own will.
What reason does Macbeth give for killing the two guards?
He killed them for killing Duncan, out of his extreme love for the ex-King (totally).
The King’s sons decide to leave Scotland. Malcolm will go to England, and Donalbain will go to Ireland. Why do they feel it is unwise to stay?
They could be next. Malcolm, after all, is the heir apparent, and Donalbain is second-in-line.
Macduff believes that the guards were bribed to kill the King. In his opinion, who paid them?
Malcolm and Donalbain.
Who will be king now that Duncan’s sons have fled?
Macbeth (guess the prophecy/manipulation came true/worked after all).
Find words spoken by Banquo that show he is suspicious of Macbeth. Write Shakespeare’s original words and cite your quote.
“I fear/Thou played’st most foully for ‘t” (3.1.3).
List three reasons Macbeth fears Banquo.
He’s willing to take risks.
He has the wisdom to act bravely and safely.
There’s something noble about him.
Explain why Macbeth means when he says that, ”upon [his] head [the witches] placed a fruitless crown/And put a barren scepter in my [grip]” (3.1.66-67).
He won’t be able to pass them on to his future bloodline (basically his kingship will not be passed through).
How does Macbeth convince the murderers to kill Banquo?
By making them think Banquo was the reason their lives were hell for so long.
What advice does Lady Macbeth give to her husband?
To let go of his sad thoughts, if he can’t fix them.
What is spoiling Macbeth’s peace? What does he mean when he says, “We have scorched the snake, not killed it”?
The problem still exists, his kingship is still threatened. Banquo and Fleance’s bloodline will take over at one point.
Why does Macbeth envy the dead king?
He’s dead, at peace, sleeping.
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