A place for critical reading, compelling writing, and analytical thinking.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Are You "Getting" It?
Are you "getting" this book? I will answer all of your questionsto help you. You "get" this book, you'll "get" the literature in ENGL 200 at the University of X.
43 comments:
Anonymous
said...
I was reading and became confused to who orange Juice is? I know it is an animal but not sure which one. Is the zebra now dead? (by page 123).
i'm really confused about all the different Indian gods. There is like 20 different gods, each with different names and things they do. But what i'm really confused about is that i'm not sure whether or not there is two gods that take the form of all these other gods or they are actually all different gods.
Orange Juice is the orangutan. She arrives to the lifeboat on a floating bunch of bananas that have spiders crawling among them. Pi fails to grab the bananas and really regrets it later. She is sort of a motherly figure to Pi. She is also very strong, but does not know how to kill very well. She's a peaceful vegetarian, not a nasty carnivore.
I am really understandding the book but the only part i am confused about is some of the boat scenes. So he has now been out to sea for 200+ days and he has learned to fish and whatnot. But, is he constantly on the raft or is he now staying on the boat? When he speaks or gutting the fish and everything is he on the raft the whole time?
There are currently millions of practicing Hindus in the world, however. (Very few people still believe in Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Ares, Mars, Pluto, Ceres, and so on--I might be confusing their Greek names with their Roman names.)
I have been reading this novel and thouroughly enjoying every bit of it. There has not been any point at which i have been confused or have wondered what was going on. I love how this book talks about everyday things and the author poses questions to the reader and answers some of them according to his own personal experiences throughout life. The main reason i like this book is because it makes you use your brain and think a little about your own moral values and where you stand with certain issues in society. The part that makes this book enjoyable to read to a wide variety of people is the fact that it is so imaginative and relates all these life leasons, politics, love, and religion to a tiger and a young boy finding himself after he has lost everything he loves.
Andrea--He uses the raft he made sometimes. Most of the time, he is on the lifeboat, atop the tarpaulin (his "territory," a position of power over Richard Parker, though Richard Parker has the comfort of shade from the sun). He uses the tethered raft--made of a lifebuoy and some oars--when he needs to.
I am understanding the book, it is a lot better than i was expecting, and i can actually read more than two pages in one sitting with out getting bored or confused.
I can say that I am understanding everything up to this point.(123) This book is easier to understand then others that we may have read in the past. The author does a good job describing what is going around and how Pi is surviving. He used literary devices to help us better understand.
Terrific that you're staying on the reading schedule, April! It's not easy or impossible, but it's tough to keep up. I only hope students find the mental labor worth it.
I think I'm understanding this book preety good so far. There are times when I'm not sure what they are talking about, but then it usually explains it later in the book. Also it is a little hare for me to actually picture things when he is using boat terms because I don't know what they all mean, but I got the just of it though. To me, this book has been the most enjoyable to read this year. It makes me want to actually turn the page and get to the next chapter because the chapters are usually short.
for the most part im getting this book and really enjoying it. The thing i dont get is how hes got his whole raft set up. Does he sleep on the life boat or on his makeshift raft. Is his newly conscructed canopy on the life boat or on the raft. I just dont understand how hes got this whole thing jimmy rigged.
Hooray for short chapters. I, too, like this format. Exactly 100chapters, one of which is two words long. 319 pages and an uncountable number of thinking opportunities. The best for last!
The raft is connected to the lifeboat. Sometimes, he pushes off onto the raft, which is always tethered to the lifeboat. Sometimes, he needs space from Richard Parker. Sometimes, he can fish better from the raft, too.
I LOVE THIS BOOK, i can not concentrate on reading alot at a time because of my busy schedule and my "go go go" body i just can not sit and read more then 10 pages at a time before i get up and start doing something else... until now,i read this book for an hour and a half one night and only stoppped because i had 5 missed calls that i had to return before everyone was asleep! there are little things here and there i dont understand but i just read it a couple times over and looked up things on the internet if i dont get it, or ask Mr. C in dear:)
No, Lydia. You meet Richard Parker formally once the Tsimtsum sinks. Then he disappears for a while, then he shows up again. After we've all finished the novel, I will tell you something that will make you really wonder, I promise.
So Im a little confused on where Pi is sitting. This is after the zebra and Orange Juice have been killed. Pi went to look for water but then see Richard Parker. He dicided to give up on the water. So where is he sitting. He said something about sitting on the tarpaulin but if Richard Parker is under there, how is that possible. I dont think that a tiger would let you sit on him.
The tarpaulin is pulled taut over the rim of the boat. It would suspend Pi, a small boy. It makes a little cave for Richard Parker; Pi is sitting on the tarpaulin, and the tarpaulin is not touching Richard Parker.
I am getting the book just fine it really isnt that complex of a book you just have to but your self there and feel what pi is feeling to really understand what is going on and thats why it is such great writhing because when you really take the time to geti into the book it dosent have a problem keeping you into it. you start to feel how scared he get when he starts to train richard parker, you feel how thirsty he get when it hasnt rained in a while and you start wnating him to get out alive.
Life of Pi is better than the other books we read this year. I like tigers so I think that's what got me interested in reading it. But the only literary devices I can find are similes and metaphors and those tree otomonopoeias. Where in the last paragraph on page 118 is the syntax? I thought it was the first couple of sentences but now i'm not sure.
The syntax of the first couple sentences of the last paragraph on page 118 establish a mood, a feeling, an aura, a sense, a tone, a strangeness, a wickedness, a sadness-- The short sentences show how Pi is noticing things one at a time. Pi is gradually being consumed by the darkness and the environment. His whole universe is different from what it was.
I am just starting Part II of the book and I think it will be more interesting than the first part, where all it was about was different types of religion. It was a boring part to read and I always wanted to fall asleep. This next part should be better though from what I've heard. Overall I am understanding most of it but it was just the religion part that kinda confused me (so many names and what not).
So far i am understanding this book. I think this is one of the best books that we have read this year and I can actually sit down and read without getting bored.
Megan--The first 93 pages are largely foreshadowing. Now that you have thought about what the first 93 pages make you consider, the actual adventure part is enhanced a lot. Trust me on this.
You're right, Kersten. The hyena jumped on the lifeboat before the Tsimtsum went under totally. The zebra jumped to the lifeboat, then broke its leg. Pi helped Richard Parker get on the boat by throwing a lifebuoy to him. Orange Juice arrives later riding on a big bundle of floating bananas. A rat is hiding on the lifeboat. There are also cockroaches aboard, at least for a while. Pretty full, I'd say.
The first part of the book is kind of confusing since its mostly about Gods and different religions but the second part of the book gets really good because more action takes place.
Okay Mr. Christensen, as you know I am now finished with the novel. I agree with you it is a very good book to end the year with. I plan on purchesing my book from ya. Anywho to get to the topic. I am confused when Parker and Pi meet up with another man; who as well is blind and probaly did not see Parker. I am very much confused is this man Ravi, Pi's brother or just some random person lost at see, much like Pi and Richard Parker? Please explain.
Also of the two stories Pi told the Japanesse people which of the two stories do you believe, and which one do you prefer. I can answer that one: Animal version.
I would've expected that Richard Parker to stay with Pi, for what the two of them went through. 270 plus days out in the Pacific alone. Pi, I believe, really got used to the fact he was alone on a life boat with a 450 pound Bengal Tiger; which is somewhat hard to believe on the account he did take such great care for the tiger. Cleaned up his feces and made sure he had plenty to when Pi could muster up the strenght to fish. Often feeding Richard before himself. Why is it that Pi never got over his fear of Richard? Richard never once tried to take advantage of Pi.
To answer your question on the white board I would want to be in Pi's shoes rather than Hank's character in "Castaway". How about you?
Mr. C, in the italic parts of the book, I dont understand what it is explaining, like back in chapter 30. Its like he's going between being the author and the third person? I'm almost finished with the book, but I've gone back and re-read the beginning parts and this is what has confused me?
Emily when the book goes into italics when it goes to present-day Pi. When he is talking about his job and whatnot. It had confused me for awhile till Tara and Nicole helped me out.
well i finally finished the book last night, and im confused. I dont know what story to believe and theres the part where we meets some guy in the middle of the pacific ocean. Its just all very confusing. He was right when he said this book is implausable but not impossible because there are alot of things that would probably not happen but they could. Im looking forward to hearing your theory over this book mr. C. Mabye it will help me get this.
Brett--Congratulations on finishing the novel a week ahead of schedule. Together, with all our theories considered, we will "get" this book on as many interpretive levels as we possibly can. Believe me, the effort toward thinking critically will help in every walk of life.
I "get" the story and I'm not really confused, but sometimes I will get so into it where I cant put the book down. But there are times where I get to a part where I read a page or so and then think back and remember nothing I just read....?!? Its not that its boring because even at the parts that are crammed with action and adventure what I read goes right through me. So I think I am understanding the book well, but I am not positive.
I think I'm getting the book pretty well. I am a little annoyed, however, that the first half of the book tells of Pi's life before the boat crash, when I was thinking the whole book (or at least a bigger portion of it) would be about the crash and life on the sea.
43 comments:
I was reading and became confused to who orange Juice is? I know it is an animal but not sure which one. Is the zebra now dead? (by page 123).
i'm really confused about all the different Indian gods. There is like 20 different gods, each with different names and things they do. But what i'm really confused about is that i'm not sure whether or not there is two gods that take the form of all these other gods or they are actually all different gods.
Orange Juice is the orangutan. She arrives to the lifeboat on a floating bunch of bananas that have spiders crawling among them. Pi fails to grab the bananas and really regrets it later. She is sort of a motherly figure to Pi. She is also very strong, but does not know how to kill very well. She's a peaceful vegetarian, not a nasty carnivore.
Hinduism has some similarities with Greek mythology, which you've studied a lot, right?
I am really understandding the book but the only part i am confused about is some of the boat scenes. So he has now been out to sea for 200+ days and he has learned to fish and whatnot. But, is he constantly on the raft or is he now staying on the boat? When he speaks or gutting the fish and everything is he on the raft the whole time?
There are currently millions of practicing Hindus in the world, however. (Very few people still believe in Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Ares, Mars, Pluto, Ceres, and so on--I might be confusing their Greek names with their Roman names.)
I have been reading this novel and thouroughly enjoying every bit of it. There has not been any point at which i have been confused or have wondered what was going on. I love how this book talks about everyday things and the author poses questions to the reader and answers some of them according to his own personal experiences throughout life. The main reason i like this book is because it makes you use your brain and think a little about your own moral values and where you stand with certain issues in society. The part that makes this book enjoyable to read to a wide variety of people is the fact that it is so imaginative and relates all these life leasons, politics, love, and religion to a tiger and a young boy finding himself after he has lost everything he loves.
Andrea--He uses the raft he made sometimes. Most of the time, he is on the lifeboat, atop the tarpaulin (his "territory," a position of power over Richard Parker, though Richard Parker has the comfort of shade from the sun). He uses the tethered raft--made of a lifebuoy and some oars--when he needs to.
I am understanding the book, it is a lot better than i was expecting, and i can actually read more than two pages in one sitting with out getting bored or confused.
You're ready to analyze literature at Nevada, Jane. You recognize themes and metaphors, showing your critical thinking skills.
I can say that I am understanding everything up to this point.(123) This book is easier to understand then others that we may have read in the past. The author does a good job describing what is going around and how Pi is surviving. He used literary devices to help us better understand.
Hooray for Maddie and Martel! (alliteration there) So pleased you found a book to stimulate your soul and psyche (more alliteration).
Terrific that you're staying on the reading schedule, April! It's not easy or impossible, but it's tough to keep up. I only hope students find the mental labor worth it.
I think I'm understanding this book preety good so far. There are times when I'm not sure what they are talking about, but then it usually explains it later in the book. Also it is a little hare for me to actually picture things when he is using boat terms because I don't know what they all mean, but I got the just of it though. To me, this book has been the most enjoyable to read this year. It makes me want to actually turn the page and get to the next chapter because the chapters are usually short.
for the most part im getting this book and really enjoying it. The thing i dont get is how hes got his whole raft set up. Does he sleep on the life boat or on his makeshift raft. Is his newly conscructed canopy on the life boat or on the raft. I just dont understand how hes got this whole thing jimmy rigged.
Hooray for short chapters. I, too, like this format. Exactly 100chapters, one of which is two words long. 319 pages and an uncountable number of thinking opportunities. The best for last!
The raft is connected to the lifeboat. Sometimes, he pushes off onto the raft, which is always tethered to the lifeboat. Sometimes, he needs space from Richard Parker. Sometimes, he can fish better from the raft, too.
I LOVE THIS BOOK, i can not concentrate on reading alot at a time because of my busy schedule and my "go go go" body i just can not sit and read more then 10 pages at a time before i get up and start doing something else... until now,i read this book for an hour and a half one night and only stoppped because i had 5 missed calls that i had to return before everyone was asleep! there are little things here and there i dont understand but i just read it a couple times over and looked up things on the internet if i dont get it, or ask Mr. C in dear:)
Wonderful, Emily! Thank goodness we've found something that can keep you sitting still, a Herculean feat (that's an allusion to mythology, of course).
did richard parker get introduced in part 1.?
No, Lydia. You meet Richard Parker formally once the Tsimtsum sinks. Then he disappears for a while, then he shows up again. After we've all finished the novel, I will tell you something that will make you really wonder, I promise.
So Im a little confused on where Pi is sitting. This is after the zebra and Orange Juice have been killed. Pi went to look for water but then see Richard Parker. He dicided to give up on the water. So where is he sitting. He said something about sitting on the tarpaulin but if Richard Parker is under there, how is that possible. I dont think that a tiger would let you sit on him.
The tarpaulin is pulled taut over the rim of the boat. It would suspend Pi, a small boy. It makes a little cave for Richard Parker; Pi is sitting on the tarpaulin, and the tarpaulin is not touching Richard Parker.
I am getting the book just fine it really isnt that complex of a book you just have to but your self there and feel what pi is feeling to really understand what is going on and thats why it is such great writhing because when you really take the time to geti into the book it dosent have a problem keeping you into it. you start to feel how scared he get when he starts to train richard parker, you feel how thirsty he get when it hasnt rained in a while and you start wnating him to get out alive.
I love the book!! I hate having to put it down... I'm not that far ahead, but still.
Life of Pi is better than the other books we read this year. I like tigers so I think that's what got me interested in reading it. But the only literary devices I can find are similes and metaphors and those tree otomonopoeias. Where in the last paragraph on page 118 is the syntax? I thought it was the first couple of sentences but now i'm not sure.
The syntax of the first couple sentences of the last paragraph on page 118 establish a mood, a feeling, an aura, a sense, a tone, a strangeness, a wickedness, a sadness-- The short sentences show how Pi is noticing things one at a time. Pi is gradually being consumed by the darkness and the environment. His whole universe is different from what it was.
I thought the first part was really boring. But when i got to part 2 it is getting really good!!!
Part 1 was a little confusing but during part 2 it got easier and more fun to read.
so on the boat there is a zebra, hyena, and tiger?(pg 110) then later Orange Juice gets on the boat?
I am just starting Part II of the book and I think it will be more interesting than the first part, where all it was about was different types of religion. It was a boring part to read and I always wanted to fall asleep. This next part should be better though from what I've heard. Overall I am understanding most of it but it was just the religion part that kinda confused me (so many names and what not).
So far i am understanding this book. I think this is one of the best books that we have read this year and I can actually sit down and read without getting bored.
Megan--The first 93 pages are largely foreshadowing. Now that you have thought about what the first 93 pages make you consider, the actual adventure part is enhanced a lot. Trust me on this.
You're right, Kersten. The hyena jumped on the lifeboat before the Tsimtsum went under totally. The zebra jumped to the lifeboat, then broke its leg. Pi helped Richard Parker get on the boat by throwing a lifebuoy to him. Orange Juice arrives later riding on a big bundle of floating bananas. A rat is hiding on the lifeboat. There are also cockroaches aboard, at least for a while. Pretty full, I'd say.
The first part of the book is kind of confusing since its mostly about Gods and different religions but the second part of the book gets really good because more action takes place.
Okay Mr. Christensen, as you know I am now finished with the novel. I agree with you it is a very good book to end the year with. I plan on purchesing my book from ya. Anywho to get to the topic. I am confused when Parker and Pi meet up with another man; who as well is blind and probaly did not see Parker. I am very much confused is this man Ravi, Pi's brother or just some random person lost at see, much like Pi and Richard Parker? Please explain.
Also of the two stories Pi told the Japanesse people which of the two stories do you believe, and which one do you prefer. I can answer that one: Animal version.
I would've expected that Richard Parker to stay with Pi, for what the two of them went through. 270 plus days out in the Pacific alone. Pi, I believe, really got used to the fact he was alone on a life boat with a 450 pound Bengal Tiger; which is somewhat hard to believe on the account he did take such great care for the tiger. Cleaned up his feces and made sure he had plenty to when Pi could muster up the strenght to fish. Often feeding Richard before himself. Why is it that Pi never got over his fear of Richard? Richard never once tried to take advantage of Pi.
To answer your question on the white board I would want to be in Pi's shoes rather than Hank's character in "Castaway". How about you?
Mr. C, in the italic parts of the book, I dont understand what it is explaining, like back in chapter 30. Its like he's going between being the author and the third person? I'm almost finished with the book, but I've gone back and re-read the beginning parts and this is what has confused me?
Emily when the book goes into italics when it goes to present-day Pi. When he is talking about his job and whatnot. It had confused me for awhile till Tara and Nicole helped me out.
well i finally finished the book last night, and im confused. I dont know what story to believe and theres the part where we meets some guy in the middle of the pacific ocean. Its just all very confusing. He was right when he said this book is implausable but not impossible because there are alot of things that would probably not happen but they could. Im looking forward to hearing your theory over this book mr. C. Mabye it will help me get this.
Brett--Congratulations on finishing the novel a week ahead of schedule. Together, with all our theories considered, we will "get" this book on as many interpretive levels as we possibly can. Believe me, the effort toward thinking critically will help in every walk of life.
I "get" the story and I'm not really confused, but sometimes I will get so into it where I cant put the book down. But there are times where I get to a part where I read a page or so and then think back and remember nothing I just read....?!? Its not that its boring because even at the parts that are crammed with action and adventure what I read goes right through me. So I think I am understanding the book well, but I am not positive.
I think I'm getting the book pretty well. I am a little annoyed, however, that the first half of the book tells of Pi's life before the boat crash, when I was thinking the whole book (or at least a bigger portion of it) would be about the crash and life on the sea.
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