Style In Yann Martel's "Life Of Pi"

1. “All about me was flatness and infinity, an endless panorama of blue. There was nothing to block my view. The vastness hit me like a punch in the stomach. I fell back, winded. This raft was a joke. It was nothing but a few sticks and a little cork held together by string. Water came through every crack. The depth beneath would make a bird dizzy. I caught sight off the lifeboat. It was no better than half a walnut shell. It held on to the surface of the water like finders gripping the edge of a cliff. It was only a matter time before gravity pulled it down (160).” All of the following choices are examples of figurative language EXCEPT

"Punch in the stomach"

"Walnut shell"

"Cliff"

"Few sticks and a little cork"

"Crack"

The given passage contains several examples of figurative language, such as "punch in the stomach," "walnut shell," and "cliff." These phrases are used metaphorically to describe the impact of the vastness, the fragility of the lifeboat, and the precariousness of the situation. However, the word "crack" is not used figuratively in this passage. It simply refers to the openings or gaps in the raft through which water comes in. Therefore, "crack" is the correct answer as it is not an example of figurative language.

Explanation

The given passage contains several examples of figurative language, such as "punch in the stomach," "walnut shell," and "cliff." These phrases are used metaphorically to describe the impact of the vastness, the fragility of the lifeboat, and the precariousness of the situation. However, the word "crack" is not used figuratively in this passage. It simply refers to the openings or gaps in the raft through which water comes in. Therefore, "crack" is the correct answer as it is not an example of figurative language.

2. “I laughed. I knew it. I wasn’t hearing voices. I hadn’t gone mad. It was Richard Parker who was speaking to me! The carnivorous rascal. All this time together and he had chosen an hour before we were to die to pipe up. I was elated to be on speaking terms with a tiger. Immediately I was filled with a vulgar curiosity, the sort that movie stars suffer from at the hands of their fans (246).” Which of the following is an example of irony?

Pi asserts that he had not gone mad.

Pi's use of the word vulgar.

Pi laughs.

Richard Parker has at last spoken to Pi.

Pi is dying.

The example of irony in this passage is Pi asserting that he had not gone mad. This is ironic because Pi is actually in a life-threatening situation, stranded at sea with a tiger, which could potentially drive someone to madness. Despite the extreme circumstances, Pi finds it ironic that he is hearing the tiger speak and believes it confirms his sanity.

Explanation

The example of irony in this passage is Pi asserting that he had not gone mad. This is ironic because Pi is actually in a life-threatening situation, stranded at sea with a tiger, which could potentially drive someone to madness. Despite the extreme circumstances, Pi finds it ironic that he is hearing the tiger speak and believes it confirms his sanity.

3. “I laughed. I knew it. I wasn’t hearing voices. I hadn’t gone mad. It was Richard Parker who was speaking to me! The carnivorous rascal. All this time together and he had chosen an hour before we were to die to pipe up. I was elated to be on speaking terms with a tiger. Immediately I was filled with a vulgar curiosity, the sort that movie stars suffer from at the hands of their fans (246).” Which answer best characterizes the way Pi is feeling when he thinks, “I was elated to be on speaking terms with a tiger.”

Delusional

Bitter

Joyful

Sarcastic

Indifferent

The passage describes Pi's reaction to hearing Richard Parker speak for the first time. Pi is relieved and excited that he is not going mad and that the tiger is actually communicating with him. This is evident from the phrase "I was elated to be on speaking terms with a tiger." Therefore, the best characterization of Pi's feelings in this moment is joyful.

Explanation

The passage describes Pi's reaction to hearing Richard Parker speak for the first time. Pi is relieved and excited that he is not going mad and that the tiger is actually communicating with him. This is evident from the phrase "I was elated to be on speaking terms with a tiger." Therefore, the best characterization of Pi's feelings in this moment is joyful.

4. “All about me was flatness and infinity, an endless panorama of blue. There was nothing to block my view. The vastness hit me like a punch in the stomach. I fell back, winded. This raft was a joke. It was nothing but a few sticks and a little cork held together by string. Water came through every crack. The depth beneath would make a bird dizzy. I caught sight off the lifeboat. It was no better than half a walnut shell. It held on to the surface of the water like finders gripping the edge of a cliff. It was only a matter time before gravity pulled it down (160).” The tone of this passage is:

Hopeful

Melancholy

Comedic

Intimidated

Raging

The passage describes the speaker's overwhelming sense of vastness and insignificance in the face of the open sea. The use of phrases like "endless panorama of blue," "nothing to block my view," and "the vastness hit me like a punch in the stomach" convey a feeling of intimidation and awe. The speaker also expresses doubt and fear about the raft and lifeboat's ability to withstand the depth and gravity of the water. Therefore, the tone of the passage can be described as intimidated.

Explanation

The passage describes the speaker's overwhelming sense of vastness and insignificance in the face of the open sea. The use of phrases like "endless panorama of blue," "nothing to block my view," and "the vastness hit me like a punch in the stomach" convey a feeling of intimidation and awe. The speaker also expresses doubt and fear about the raft and lifeboat's ability to withstand the depth and gravity of the water. Therefore, the tone of the passage can be described as intimidated.

5. “And I survived because I made a point of forgetting. My story started on a calendar day---July 2nd, 1977---and ended on a calendar day---February 14th, 1978---but in between there was no calendar. I did not count days or the weeks or the months. Time is an illusion that only makes us pant. I survived because I forgot even the very notion of time (191-192).” Which of the following best characterizes the tone of the passage?

Didactic

Defeated

Sanguine

Meandering

Sympathetic

The passage suggests a defeated tone as the narrator describes their survival by deliberately forgetting the passage of time. This implies a sense of resignation and defeat in the face of their circumstances. The use of phrases like "I survived because I forgot" and "Time is an illusion that only makes us pant" further emphasize the defeated tone.

Explanation

The passage suggests a defeated tone as the narrator describes their survival by deliberately forgetting the passage of time. This implies a sense of resignation and defeat in the face of their circumstances. The use of phrases like "I survived because I forgot" and "Time is an illusion that only makes us pant" further emphasize the defeated tone.