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Life of Pi. Chapter 23 . Summary – Chapter 23 . Pi and his parents meet the “three wise men”—the pandit , priest, and imam—after Pi has decided to practice all three religions without telling anyone.
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Life of Pi Chapter 23
Summary – Chapter 23 • Pi and his parents meet the “three wise men”—the pandit, priest, and imam—after Pi has decided to practice all three religions without telling anyone. • The religious men discuss their respective religions while mocking the other two religions. • In the end, they all asked Pi what he truly feels and he quotes Gandhi: “All religions are true.”
Pi’s Best Qualities • Pi is spiritual, faithful, and knowledgeable • He feels strongly about all three religions, refusing to choose one over the other two. • He quotes Gandhi, knowing that all three religious leaders and his parents will respect his views.
Pi’s Worst Qualities • Pi remains naïve to the differences between the religions. • Despite his passion for spirituality, Pi doesn’t see the differences between the religions or the conflicts that will arise in the future.
Pi’s Role • In this chapter, Pi speaks passionately about his love of God. • While Pi remains oblivious to the contradictions in the three religions, despite the arguments from the “three wise men”. • Pi symbolically, and physically, represents a young person’s journey into faith—a faith that will be tested while adrift on the Pacific Ocean.
Quotations for Pi • “They didn’t know I was a practising Hindu, Christian, and Muslim. Teenagers always hide a few things from their parents, isn’t that so?” (71) • Pi is a typical teenager, who is trying to find his true identity, but he keeps everything a secret from his parents. • He’s embarrassed when the truth of his “search” is revealed.
Quotations for Pi • “’I just want to love God,’ I blurted out, and looked down, red in the face.” (76) • Pi responds truthfully to his parents and the three religious leaders. He finds something appealing in each religion and doesn’t understand why he must choose. • Here, we see Pi as a confused teenager, trying to make sense of the spiritual world in which he finds comfort.
Question Time • Right There: Who are the “three wise men” • Think and Search: Why would Pi be embarrassed to meet all three religious leaders? • Author and You: Why would Pi and his parents eat ice cream sandwiches “in unusual silence”? • On Your Own: If you were Pi, how would you explain yourself?