Art in the Life of Pi

With the majority of the story taking place in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, clearly, art was a little difficult to come by.

However, there was a time when we were getting a little bit from the author's point of view as he interviewed Pi Patel that described Pi's house as a 'temple'. For example, "In the entrance hall hangs a framed picture of Ganesha, he of the elephant head. He sits facing out--rosy-colored, pot-bellied, crowned and smiling--three hands hlding various objects, the fourth held palm out in blessing and in greeting." (Martel, 45).

Ganesha, if you remember, was one of the most well-known and worshiped deities in Hinduism and his image permeates throughout India.

In addition, "In the living room, on a table next to the sofa, there is a small framed picture of the Virgin Mary ... Next to it is a framed photo of the black-robed Kaabva, holiest sanctum of Islam. ... On the television set is a brass statue of Shiva as Nataraja," (45).

And the shrine continues on, through his kitchen, dining room and office where he had a Christ on the Cross hanging on the wall, a prayer rug rolled up in the corner, with a book covered by a cloth with the word 'Allah' on it resting on a book stand next to it and a Bible on his bedside table.

It is through all these religious pieces of art and literature that Pi Patel is very openly and clearly able to show his fidelity to all three of his religions. The physical presence of the varying religious artwork gives him a very concrete representation of each religion so a single one does not drown out the other two.