Proposal

Questions for Research: How do religion and animals propose a theme in Life of Pi?

How will I portray common themes and symbols as a unifying concept within both novels?

How do nonhuman things connect to portray human concepts?

Does human nature leads to enlightenment?

Does human nature cause a deviation amongst the path to enlightenment?

Life of Pi: This novel is about a boy who becomes stranded in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with a Bengal tiger (Richard Parker), a zebra, hyena, and an orangutan. Throughout the 227 days he was stranded, the narrator, Pi, has plenty of time to explore his spirituality and practicality while reaching a significant bond with his animal passengers, specifically, Richard Parker. The theme presented at the end of the novel is that reality is a story; when given the chance to choose, why not pick the "better" story to tell?

Notes- Religion/Animals to portray a theme

Spirituality and practicality 

Reality vs. Story? Reality=Story

Beatrice and Virgil: This novella is an allegorical tale representing acts within the Holocaust. It's a journey between a donkey named Beatrice and a monkey named Virgil. These two are stuffed animals who symbolize the fate of the Jews in the Holocaust. I have yet to read this novel, considering my last minute change, but so far I have gathered many commonalities between Life of Pi and this novel, as I will list below. 

Notes- Life vs. Art

Truth vs. Deception

Responsibility vs. Complicity

Commonalities:  Both novels include prominent animal characters
Both include authors searching for a story/having a story to tell
Stories are told through animals (metaphorically)
Seems as if a journey to enlightenment is found through the animals (directly or indirectly)

*More to come as I read Beatrice and Virgil*

Connection Notes: "Truth vs. Deception"-"Exploring spirituality and practicality"-"Reality is a story" 

Each novel's character's journey to enlightenment has a common goal in a way. (Reality vs Deception?)

Animals uncover the hidden messages life tends to throw our way.
Sometimes, in order to find our true path, we must encounter another (animals allow the deviation-"ferryman in Siddhartha")
Animals-----> ferryman

ARGUMENT: "Human Nature"

Inside every human is an animal.

Although my thoughts are a little jumbled, I have a basis of where I intend to go with my paper. Clearly, reading the second novel with further my ideas and strengthen what I hope to become a good argument. Discussing animals is a huge aspect, considering that is the main connection between the two novels. My organization has yet to become clear in my head, but I have lots of notes and ideas on paper. Hopefully I can put them together and form a strong thesis and support what I hope to become my main argument.