Circle Circle ImagerImager

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We see circles everywhere…We see circles everywhere…

From the shape of our world…From the shape of our world…

To the way we view nature…To the way we view nature…

The Water Cycle

They even exist in how we They even exist in how we conceptualize time and the conceptualize time and the

universe…universe… The Yin Yang symbol: The Yin Yang symbol:

according to a Chinese according to a Chinese theory: yin is the theory: yin is the passive, negative passive, negative force, and yang the force, and yang the active, positive force. active, positive force.

Infinity is unbounded Infinity is unbounded space, time, or space, time, or quantity. quantity.

What is Imagery?What is Imagery?

Imagery is defined as:Imagery is defined as: A set of mental pictures or images. A set of mental pictures or images.

– The use of vivid or figurative language to represent The use of vivid or figurative language to represent objects, actions, or ideas. objects, actions, or ideas.

– The use of expressive or evocative images in art, The use of expressive or evocative images in art, literature, or music. literature, or music.

– A group or body of related images, as in a painting or A group or body of related images, as in a painting or poem.poem.

– Representative images, particularly statues or icons. Representative images, particularly statues or icons. – The art of making such images. (www.answers.com)The art of making such images. (www.answers.com)

How is a circle an image?How is a circle an image?

A circle can be defined as:A circle can be defined as: ““A plane curve everywhere A plane curve everywhere

equidistant from a given equidistant from a given fixed point, the center.”fixed point, the center.”

““A series or process that A series or process that finishes at its starting point finishes at its starting point or continuously repeats or continuously repeats itself; a cycle.” (itself; a cycle.” (www.answers.comwww.answers.com))

As seen above, we As seen above, we perceive the world, and perceive the world, and processes within our processes within our universe in circular/cyclical universe in circular/cyclical ways.ways.

Life of PiLife of PiPi’s name is symbolic as well:“The 16th letter of the Greek alphabet. Mathematics. A transcendental number, approximately 3.14159, represented by the symbol π, that expresses the ratio of the circumference to the diameter of a circle and appears as a constant in many mathematical expressions.” (www.answers.com)

In the novel, Pi is lost at sea, stranded on a lifeboat with a full-grown Bengal tiger. In effect, Pi’s lifeboat becomes his world, the ocean and sky surrounding it, his universe.

The following quotations emphasize The following quotations emphasize circle imagery in Pi’s world:circle imagery in Pi’s world:

“I felt like the centre of a small circle coinciding with the centre of a much larger one.” (Martel 69)

Symbolically, Pi sees himself at the centre of a circle of life that is Symbolically, Pi sees himself at the centre of a circle of life that is not linear, but infinite and ongoing. According to Pi’s Hindu beliefs not linear, but infinite and ongoing. According to Pi’s Hindu beliefs the circle of life consists of Birth, Death, and Rebirth, a true cyclical the circle of life consists of Birth, Death, and Rebirth, a true cyclical pattern that also conforms to the Hero Cycle.pattern that also conforms to the Hero Cycle.

“To be a castaway is to be a point perpetually at the centre of a circle…Your gaze is always a radius. The circumference is ever great. In fact, the circles multiply. To be a castaway is to be caught in a harrowing ballet of circles. You are at the centre of one circle, while above you two opposing circles spin about.” (216)

Pi is trying to find his place in the universe, and the circle image Pi is trying to find his place in the universe, and the circle image examines the relationship between the finite and the infinite. examines the relationship between the finite and the infinite.

The Celestial Circle in The Celestial Circle in Life of PiLife of Pi

Pi’s journey is associated with the image of the circle, and Pi’s journey is associated with the image of the circle, and is seen primarily through the ocean and the sun “the is seen primarily through the ocean and the sun “the symbol of perpetual beginnings, constant renewal and symbol of perpetual beginnings, constant renewal and eternal regeneration[…]the sun, [can] suggest the very eternal regeneration[…]the sun, [can] suggest the very centre of life, the guarantee of immortality, and, for return centre of life, the guarantee of immortality, and, for return and rebirth.” (www.lib.unb.ca)and rebirth.” (www.lib.unb.ca)

Yet the sun is a dual symbol, for it can also spell death for Yet the sun is a dual symbol, for it can also spell death for Pi from heat exhaustion and dehydration. The ocean is Pi from heat exhaustion and dehydration. The ocean is also dual in nature, and is described by Pi alternately as also dual in nature, and is described by Pi alternately as life-giving (providing water, fish and turtles) and destructive life-giving (providing water, fish and turtles) and destructive (stormy, shark-infested); it is ironic he is surrounded by (stormy, shark-infested); it is ironic he is surrounded by water yet cannot drink any of it.water yet cannot drink any of it.

The Universe of PiThe Universe of Pi

Air

Water

Earth

Pi’s world can be divided into the four elements, earth, air, fire and water, and Pi must depend on all of these elements for his survival.

Fire

“There were many skies. The sky was invaded by great white clouds…The sky was completely cloudless, of a blue quite shattering to the senses…The sky was a heavy, suffocating blanket of grey cloud…The sky was nothing but falling water, a ceaseless deluge…” (215)

“There were many seas. The sea roared like a tiger…The sea whispered in your ear…The sea thundered like avalanches…The sea was dead silent.” (215)

“emerging from the darkness I could see before what I had only felt, the great curtains of rain crashing down on me from towering heights and the waves that threw a path over me and trod me underfoot one after another… (159)

“Salt water boils—red, angry disfiguring—were a leprosy of the high seas, transmitted by the water that soaked me.” (192)

An Ocean of NotionsAn Ocean of Notions

Conscious: existing above or outside of nature.

Sub-Conscious: existing as part of or within nature.

Air can also represent consciousness, while water can be seen as the submerged unconscious processes of the human mind. In this way, Pi’s second story of his survival can be viewed as a coping mechanism.

Pi’s Journey as MonomythPi’s Journey as Monomyth

“A hero ventures forth from the world of the common day into a region of supernatural wonder:  fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won:  the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man " (30).

-Joseph Campbell, The Hero with a Thousand Faces

The Monomyth is divided into The Monomyth is divided into three sections: Departure three sections: Departure (sometimes called Separation), (sometimes called Separation), Initiation and Return.Initiation and Return.

                              

Pi follows the monomyth cycle within the novel through his ordeal at sea.

Final Thought…Final Thought…

““I believe that the concept of Tsimtsum also plays I believe that the concept of Tsimtsum also plays a major role in how Yann Martel has structured a major role in how Yann Martel has structured Life of Pi.  There is something very circular in Life of Pi.  There is something very circular in telling Pi's story in exactly 100 chapters.  Also, telling Pi's story in exactly 100 chapters.  Also, when Pi uses when Pi uses pi pi to work out the circumference of to work out the circumference of that strange anti-Eden he lands on, you can't help that strange anti-Eden he lands on, you can't help but acknowledge that there is some great deal but acknowledge that there is some great deal of thought in Yann Martel's naming of Pi, since of thought in Yann Martel's naming of Pi, since pipi is synonymous with circles.  When God creates is synonymous with circles.  When God creates his vacuum, one can only imagine a circular his vacuum, one can only imagine a circular shaped hole.  Galaxies certainly resolve around shaped hole.  Galaxies certainly resolve around black holes.”black holes.”