Life of Pi Lesson Plan

Compare and Contrast: Pi and the Frenchman

Kind of Activity:

Classwide Discussion

Objective:

To identify how and why the identities of the two men are so confused

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.5

Structure:

The longest section of dialogue in the novel is the confusing discourse between Pi and another castaway, both of whom are apparently blind. Read this section aloud, and then discuss it as a class. Who did students think Pi was talking to, initially, and why? Discuss with students why they think Yann Martel chose to make both characters blind, and whether they think the scene "really happened" or was just a hallucination. Identify the elements that...